The Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir

For twenty five years the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir from Abbotsford, Canada has exemplified the best in choral tradition. The Society and its conductors are committed to training and motivating children to pursue musical excellence, thereby glorifying God and inspiring joy in the hearts of singers and listeners alike. The choir’s focus is on understanding, interpreting and communicating a wide variety of quality repertoire that spans the musical world from Bach to Broadway. Classic and contemporary songs of the Christian faith are also an important part of the choral program. Choreography and Visual/Speech Arts which were added in recent years have dramatically enhanced the concert experience. Choir members have been excellent musical ambassadors for their city, province and country numerous times.

Highlights for the PMCC include representing Canada at ISME in Austria 1986 and Korea 1992 as well as the Tuscany International Children’s Chorus Festival 1999. In 2001 PMCC participated in World of Children’s Choirs as well as being one of three choirs in residence at the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education in Victoria with Dr. Doreen Rao. Their most recent tour took them to the Niagara International Music Festival in 2003 where they also appeared on the television program 100 Huntley Street. Under the direction of in-coming artistic directors Kimberley and Wes Janzen, plans for 2004/05 include “Gloria, Christ is Born” December 5th at the Chan Centre in Vancouver as well as a five day residency at Carnegie Hall in January.

Calvin Dyck

Music for Calvin Dyck is a passion, a profession and a pleasure. His violin training began when he was eight. Following the completion of his ARCT in 1981 he went on to study at Biola University and the University of Southern California where, in 1991 he received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Violin Performance, with minors in Choral Conducting, Music Education and Music History. Dr. Dyck is very active in Abbotsford musical productions as well as being concertmaster for the Vancouver Island Symphony and an instructor at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia.