As a renowned children's choir in the Bay Area, Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir has made a significant contribution to the classical music scene. Founded in 1982 by Susan Rahl, PEBCC has been providing exceptional choral training and performance opportunities for young singers for almost four decades.
The choir is composed of over 300 children aged between 4 and 18. They come from various backgrounds, but share a passion for singing and an eagerness to learn. As members of the world-renowned chorus, they receive crucial vocal training that prepares them for solo and ensemble performances in various classical music genres.
Classical music has been a standard component of the PEBCC's repertoire since its establishment. The choir performs music from different musical periods, including Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary classical pieces. The choir's extensive classical repertoire features sacred and secular music, opera, oratorio, and choral arrangements of orchestral works.
Through their rigorous choral education, the young singers at PEBCC are equipped with essential skills to appreciate and excel in performing classical music. They learn how to read and interpret sheet music, control breathing, use dynamic range, and create harmonies. As a result, performances by PEBCC's youth stand out for the exceptional clarity, precision, and tone of their singing.
One of the many benefits of being involved with a choir such as PEBCC is the opportunity to collaborate with principal classical musicians and organizations. Over the years, the choir has collaborated with distinguished conductors and instrumentalists in large-scale performances of classical works of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, and others.
PEBCC fosters positive relationships with culturally-rich organizations which present new opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration. Some of these organizations include the San Francisco Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Pacific Boychoir Academy, UC Berkeley Music Department, and more. This collaboration enhances learning experiences for PEBCC members and gives a broader exposure to the world of classical music.
In conclusion, the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir is undoubtedly an extraordinary force in the classical music scene. The choir has established itself as an institution that develops young artists who are able to perform challenging choral arrangements with precision and are well versed in the unique requirements of the genre. Through PEBCC, many young musicians have acquired crucial skills and forged lifelong relationships, elevating their performances to new heights.