British Columbia Youth Choir (BCYC)

Come join B.C. Youth Choir 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 23, 24, and 25th!

*The British Columbia Youth Choir 2024 in Langley, B.C.* under the direction of Dr. Tracy Wong.

The B.C. Youth Choir is an auditioned provincial honour choir comprised of singers aged 16-25 from across the province. The choir meets and performs annually during May in conjunction with the BC Choral Federation’s Chorfest event. It’s a fun-filled weekend of rehearsing and performing incredible music at a high level!

The B.C. Youth Choir is unique amongst Canadian provincial youth choirs as it is run by youth, for youth.

The choir is directed each year by a renowned and inspirational choral conductor. Past conductors include:

Jon Washburn
Frances Roberts
Peter Taylor
Kevin Zakresky
Debra Cairns
Heather Johnson
Kari Turunen

Adam Con
Graeme Langager
Kathleen Allan
Allison Girvan
Carrie Tennant
Jim Sparks
Tracy Wong

Intern Conductor Program

The B.C. Youth Choir selects an aspiring young choral conductor each year to Intern and be mentored under the direction of the chosen clinician. The intern conductor is asked to lead warm-ups, workshops, sectionals, and conduct a piece during the B.C. Youth Choir performance.

Intern Conductors are asked to submit an application consisting of previous choral experience, their interest in this project, conducting videos and two references with valid reference letters written and provided to the BCYC Council. All applications will be reviewed and ultimately decided by the B.C. Youth Choir Council, the BCYC Clinician, Liana Savard and Willi Zwozdesky.

The Intern Conductor position is a wonderful opportunity full of growth and mentorship. Our Intern Conductors have enormously impacted the choral community across B.C. and Canada. One example of this is Carrie Tennant, who was the BCYC Intern Conductor in 2006 and became the B.C. Youth Choir clinician in 2019! Carrie is now the founder and director of the Vancouver Youth Choir, a world-renowned choir from Vancouver, B.C.

BCYC 2024 Intern Conductor Will Clements.

Intern Conductors are open until January 6, 2025. All people applying must have their reference letters submitted to manager@bcyc.ca by January 6, 2025.

B.C. Youth Choir Intern Conductor Applications

The BCYC weekend includes:

3 days of professional-level rehearsals and music-making
Sheet music (yours to keep!)
Performance at the conclusion of the event
An individual BCCF membership (worth $40)
2 nights shared accommodation (optional)
All meals for the duration of the event

Venue:

BCYC 2025 Venue TBA

The British Columbia Youth Choir 2025 will rehearse and perform in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Fees (all participants):

$285 including shared accommodation

$185 without accommodation

Audition & Apply

Auditions for BCYC 2025 will be open from December 1 through January 6. All applicants must meet the following requirements:

Aged 16-25 (2000 – 2009)
Be a resident of British Columbia at the time of application.

We ask that all audition files be in one recording at the time of submission. Please find the audition materials below.

British Columbia Youth Choir Audition Materials

Information

Contact the BCYC Council (Carl Lemer and Miguel Alvarado ) at manager@bcyc.ca if you have any questions.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for singers in some circumstances. Requests can be submitted upon audition or application with a paragraph describing your financial circumstances and need for financial aid.

BCYC 2025 Clinician: Darita Seth

Cambodian-American haute-contre, conductor and composer, DARITA SETH, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, is honored to be in his first season with the LA Master Chorale. Seth is praised for his “technical deliciousness; power and precision of the connection between the colors of the voice; and beauty of delivery.” (Aspen Music Festival) He is Director of CHORAL AUDACITY, a Bay Area-based chamber choir advocating for QBIPOC voices; and Director of Music at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach. In 2016, Darita concluded his tenure with Chanticleer, the Grammy Award-winning, San Francisco-based men’s vocal ensemble. A Sigma Alpha Iota distinguised member, Darita holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Capital University’s Conservatory of Music. He is currently a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach.

He has been featured in performances of choral masterworks including Berstein’s Chichester Psalsm, Durufle’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah, Darita resides in Long Beach’s Cambodiatown after serving nearly a decade in the Bay Area as a clinician, mentor and most important, a voice instructor for young under-priviledged students. Darita enjoys cooking meals from his proud Cambodian-American heritage, weight-lifting, traveling with his partner, and being a dog-dad to his American Dingo, Remy Martin.