BCCF debuts Choral Shorts video series

A brand new video series showcasing the expertise and ideas of choral luminaries from around British Columbia. From vocal technique to digital technology, you’ll find much to learn from this hand-picked array of hometown experts – all of whom have graciously gifted this content to us.

HOW TO DO A DRIVE-IN CHOIR
with Wendy Nixon Stothert

Go behind the scenes with Wendy Nixon Stothert and members of her Just In Time choirs (the Jems, Vocal Minority) as they explore a creative solution for singing together…

A SONG A WEEK – USING ‘EASY VIRTUAL CHOIR’ TECHNOLOGY
with Jenn Forsland

Collaborators Jenn Forsland, Jean Sarrazin and Kevin Marquette used a very accessible and free program to help facilitate rehearsals and to offer a performance element to their singers…

TUNING THE CHORAL MOUTHFUL
with Kathryn Whitney

In this video, Kathryn talks about what she calls the “choral mouthful” – the chords we make on our own every time we sing a note. Using a program called VoceVista Video, she analyzes several sung pitches to reveal their overtone series…

RHYTHM & SYNCOPATION
with Brian Tate

Conductor/composer Brian Tate talks about the importance of rhythm in choral singing and shares several exercises to practice at home in the hopes that syncopation will one day become second-nature!

WHY SINGING TOGETHER MATTERS
with Erica Phare-Bergh

Singing increases oxytocin levels, serotonin levels and dopamine levels, while helping to combat stress. But what about singing together versus doing so all on our lonesome?

POCKET SONGS
with Denis Donnelly

As a conductor or educator, it’s always a good idea to have a song or two in your back pocket. Here, Denis Donnelly outlines three that can be taught orally at the beginning of a workshop or choral session or used as a reset or refresher to lighten things up mid-rehearsal.