ROCA 7/30/26 ROCA 7/30/26

A note from our President, Summer 2026

A note from the President, Summer 2026

Before I begin I’d like to, once more, acknowledge the passing of 2 long serving ROCA musicians, violinist Angus Yuen who left us in March and, most recently, bass singer Brian Dobbin. We offer our shared condolences to their families and close friends. We will miss them both. In honour of our 2 friends, ROCA has made donations to the BC Cancer Society and to the ALS Society.

My apologies for this being so long after our final concert. I started writing in June and then the World Cup began, grandkids came to visit and before I knew it the summer was half over.

Well done! Season 40 is in the books and congratulations to all of us. It’s been said many times before and bears repeating, that ROCA is a great musical treasure primarily due to two individuals. Thanks to our Artistic Directors, Brigid and James, every one of the concerts got rave reviews from our audiences. I find it difficult to pick a favourite this time (they were all brilliant imho) but if I had to choose I think I’d go with Handel (call me a traditionalist).

We were also joined this season by tremendous Community Partners. It was great to partner with Ivan Franko Society and Urban Bounty. Our Christmas concert raised almost $3000 for the Food Bank. Richmond Sings added $1118 to the local Community Meals programs. And what a brilliant idea it was to combine our 40th anniversary with that of the “Man in Motion World Tour” and have the Rick Hansen Foundation as our final partner of the season.

Financially we did pretty well. With better than forecast ticket sales, some very generous sponsors and grants (thanks especially to Bernie Z for his networking expertise), a very successful Pub Night, a strong market resulting in large payout from the Neville Wrigley endowment, and generous donations from ROCA members and audience members.

As is often said, many hands make light work and so I want to thank all our Board members, who have all been great to work with. With Jordan, our new Treasurer, we continue to be in good financial hands. Bernie Z, our wise and learned VP, has continued to apply his great schmoozing talents in finding sponsorships on top of his great efforts on grant writing. Graeme put in a lot of extra hours into updating our governance documents as well as taking exemplary minutes at all our meetings. Sally and Lea, thank you for all your work this season with fundraising, front of house, the ideas and wisdom you’ve brought to the Board and more, and also to Teek who has brought great energy, enthusiasm and (can I say?) a youthful perspective. This past season we managed to get business done with a fair bit of emailing and on average, a meeting every other month on Zoom, most of which, we kept under 90 minutes. If you would be interested in joining the Board, please let me know.

Thanks also to all of you (and you are many) who have reached out with ideas (keep em coming) and helped with specific tasks on concert days and beyond. And, of course, thanks to Rachel who is both the engine and driver of ROCA operations and who continues to make my President’s job so much easier.

And now, season 41 is just over a month away so, welcome back! Mark your calendars and give those Rack Cards out. (If you’d like some before we reconvene in Sept, drop Rachel an email and she can put some in the ROCA mailbox for you to pick up.)

First rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday, September 8. The planning committee spent many hours discussing our various options especially for Christmas and the Finale. We did consider doing a Tuesday Choral Christmas concert again and also ending the season a week earlier (both ideas we'll explore again for 27/28). In the end, factors such as venue availability and suitability, timing of holidays and so on, we settled on these dates:

(Newly confirmed!) Sat, Oct 3 (Chorus) Concert at Cultural Centre

Oct 25 (Orchestra) Sunday afternoon at Fraserview

Dec 8 (Orchestra) Tuesday evening Food Bank concert at South Arm

Dec 12/13 (Chorus) Saturday evening at Our Saviour Lutheran

Sunday afternoon at All Saints Ladner

Feb 21 (Orchestra) Sunday afternoon at Fraserview

March 2 (Chorus) Tues evening Richmond Sings at Fraserview

Apr 11 (Combined) Sunday afternoon at Fraserview

Jun 6 (Combined) Sunday afternoon at Fraserview

As usual, I've probably forgotten to mention something important. Be sure to check roca.ca for updates. I’ll be away after the first rehearsal for 6 weeks, back in time for the AGM and Christmas activities. Wishing everyone a happy and safe last few weeks of summer.

See you, briefly, in September,

Bernie B

PS: Return-it Express. This program continues to quietly tick along. In the past year ROCA received just over $600. I suspect we could do even better. It's an easy process. Just put your empty beverage containers (bottles, cans, tetras, cartons) in a clear (or clear blue) plastic bag, make sure they're empty & clean, leave screw caps on (no corks), go to a Return-it Express location (there are at least 5 in Richmond and more elsewhere), enter the ROCA ph # 604-276-2747, print the label and drop in the bin. Thank you to you members regularly pass their empties off to ROCA's credit.

ROCA 7/13/26 ROCA 7/13/26

And that’s a wrap on our 40th Season!

Wow, ROCA members - what a fantastic season. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication from Canadian Reflections to Christmas concerts and Food Bank fundraising through supporting our Rising Stars and pouring your heart into Messiah, and finally relaxing and having a grand time with our “Let it Be” finale. It was a season to remember.

Enjoy your summer but keep your instruments tuned and your voices warm for season #41! Here are the details so far (rack card to the right):

— For the first time in several seasons we were able to host a Volunteer Appreciation event which took place on June 28. Many thanks to those who were able to attend. It was a fun gathering.

— Before Orchestra’s first concert in October, we will be participating in Richmond’s annual Culture Days opening ceremony event with the Mayor Saturday, September 19. We will have a spot in the Richmond Cultural Centre’s Annex with all information about ROCA. This is always a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the community. You’d be suprised how many people out there don’t know that our organization exists! Let’s continue to combat that with a great turn-out for this event. I’m calling for volunteers from across the organizations - instrumentalists, singers and board members alike. If you are available any time from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, September 19 and can join us at the Richmond Cultural Centre to promote ROCA - please email and let me know. Thanks in advance!

— Since the chorus will not have an official season concert until December, we are planning an “open” performance as part of the Culture Days which runs from Sept 19 - October 12. Please stay tuned for more information about that coming soon.

— If you would like to purchase Season Ticket Packages or ROCA Tote Bags that you can pick up in September, they are available for purchase online through the summer.

— We often plan a ROCA summer gathering - if you would like to help organize this, please let me know. Macdonald beach? New location? Picnic? Sing-along…

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your July & August. The ROCA office is officially “closed” but you can always email me if you have questions about anything.

Notice about our start-up in September will come later in August with registration information. We look forward to your return when we will get to make music together for another season!

Sincerely,

Rachel, ROCA Administrator

ROCA 4/6/26 ROCA 4/6/26

Messiah is here - Hallelujah!

Hello ROCA members,

Please find some materials here to help you get the word out about and sell tickets for our April 12 concert.

All the information you need is on the Concert Page.

You can forward the link to the concert page and/or copy and paste any of this info into your own emails or FB posts…

Tickets are on sale now! Purchase online and avoid the line-up at the door!

Messiah

Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 pm

Fraserview MB Church in Richmond

$25 Senior/Student
$30 General Admission

Discount on group sales (6 or more $20 each)

Children and youth 16 and under are free!

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.roca.ca or in person at the door (reservations appreciated for pre-show headcount). Reserve by emailing or calling: roca@roca.ca 604-276-2747

Options for sharing via email and printing for bulletin boards attached.

Thank you for helping us spread the word!

-Rachel

Printable PDF of the poster

Printable PDF of the handbill

Digital shareable poster (image)

ROCA 11/18/25 ROCA 11/18/25

Time to pump our Christmas Concert!

Hello ROCA members,

Please find some materials here to help you get the word out about our December 16 concert and hopefully sell tickets.

Richmond Orchestra & Chorus perform together in this Christmas Concert filled with familiar favorites and audience participation.

Tickets are on sale now AND donations will be taken at the concert for the Richmond Food Bank.

Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30 pm

Fraserview MB Church in Richmond

$25 Senior/Student $30 General Admission

Discount on group sales (6 or more $20 each)

Children and youth 16 and under are free!

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.roca.ca or in person at the door (reservations appreciated for pre-show headcount).
Reserve by emailing or calling: roca@roca.ca 604-276-2747

Options for sharing via email and printing for bulletin boards attached.

Physical printed posters and handbills will be available at rehearsals beginning tonight (next week for Orchestra).

Thank you for helping us spread the word!

-Rachel

Printable PDF of the poster

Printable PDF of the handbill

Digital shareable poster (image)

ROCA 10/23/25 ROCA 10/23/25

40th Season, here we go... Canadian Reflections

Sunday, October 26, 2025

1:15 pm Call for Orchestra (everyone ready to begin tuning on stage at 1:25)
1:15 pm Call for Chorus (everyone on stage and ready to begin run-through and sound check by 1:30)

Please park as far from the church entrances as you are able (back of the parking lot or street/surrounding neighborhood) so that our audience guests have plenty of available spots.

Orchestra “green room” is the Fireside Room

Chorus “green room” is the Prayer Room

- This is where you can leave your personal items and hang out before the concert and during intermission. Be sure to grab everythinig you brought, after.

To distribute washroom usage a bit, ROCA members please use the preschool washroom during intermission.

Here is the full schedule:

11:45 - worship service ends - Fraserview staff starts stage breakdown

12:15 - Chris/West Coast Recordings arrives to start unloading/setting up
1pm - Chairs team arrives
1:15pm - everyone else arrives
1:25pm - Orchestra tunes
1:30pm - Rehearse/soundcheck
Rough run-through of the full program in order - “top and tail” as Brigid says.
Please focus and keep talking to a minimum.
3pm - Concert begins with President offering announcements

Chorus will be onstage for the entire program and will enter/exit the Sanctuary/stage from both sides of the lobby. Orchestra (and soloist, conductors, etc) will use the stage entrance. Repeat after intermission.

Concert dress Orchestra: concert black

Chorus: concert black with black bowties and red pocket poofs
OR long opaque black skirts/hose/socks/close-toed shoes with red sequin shell under black lace jacket (secured at top button only).

Jewelry is welcome, but not too flashy please to avoid audience distraction.

Please avoid the use of scents such as perfumes or body sprays and hair sprays, etc - we will be in close proximity on stage and many members have allergies. Clean bodies and appropriate deodorant/anti-persperant is sufficient!

Concert Program Order for your folders:

Fall Fair - Godfrey Ridout

Gate Gate - Brian Tate

Missa Brevis - Imant Raminsh

Emily Cheung, soprano soloist

- INTERMISSION -

The Flight of Aphrodite, op.99 Michael Conway Baker

Stephen Robb, guest conductor, James Malmberg, violin soloist

Home I’ll Be - Rita MacNeil, arr. Larry Nickel

All the Little Rivers - Larry Nickel

This Is My Home - Bob Buckley, Brian Gibson

Full Program

An email to our Front of House Volunteers will go out soon. Volunteers will be asked to arrive around 1 pm to help set up so that audience may begin entering at 2. We are trying a new system this year to keep the lobby better organized. This may result in line-ups at the door, but if we are efficient, hopefully it will be minimal.

If you have friends or family arriving with you early who are attending as audience members, please let them know in advance, that they should check in at the front tables with their ticket information or to purchase their tickets or pick up from Will Call - at 2 pm. This may require stepping back outside with the line-up if there is one. We may still be setting up and not ready to check folks in or sell/distribute tickets before then. Please feel free to spread this info to anyone you know who is coming.

Additional Volunteers are still welcome!

Sell tickets! Share our FB posts. Forward your own via email. Get the word out and promote however you can to your communities.

Have any questions? Feel free to message our ROCA Admin, Rachel - roca.office@gmail.com

See you Sunday!

ROCA 3/25/25 ROCA 3/25/25

Countdown to Brahms

Sunday 30 March – 1:30-2pm arrive at Orpheum, entering by stage door on Smithe St; they’ll be checking you off on a list. I recommend leaving cars at Bridgeport, and taking Skytrain! Rehearsal starts 2pm. I’m Choir Marshal, so listen for instructions. We’ll check entries and exits before singing.

Rehearsal to 5:30pm. Time to eat – either bring food or find somewhere nearby. Choir rooms upstairs on 5th floor; one will be labelled as a quiet room for rest or reading (no talking). Orchestra will be below stage.

By 7pm you should be back in the building and changed; S/A aqua top/lace jacket/long skirt or palazzo pants; T/B all black
Concert at 7:30pm; we should be done by 9pm

There’s a detailed Orpheum instruction list from Mike Millard here.

Tuesday 1 April – dress rehearsal 2! We do have stage extensions, so the front two and the back row will be on chairs; middle rows sit on risers.
This will mostly be a tidy-up rehearsal, with some focus on the things I will do differently from Edette – so make sure your pencil has a good eraser!
Saturday 5 April – as long as all goes well on Tuesday, sound check will be at 6pm, for about 45min. Chorus will be in the usual preschool room; Orchestra in the Prayer Room; Vivaldi in the ex-office on the corner. All the hallway from the bathrooms to the Mellis Rd door will be performer space.
We have no community partner for this, since there’s no intermission.
If you have anyone who can help with Front of House, please contact Rachel
Post-concert, Vivaldi hope to have some social time at Moxie’s (Sandman Hotel, 3233 St Edwards Rd). The sign-up sheet gave me: AnneP & Brian, Cindy, Lea & Ron, Bernie, Max, Alex and me. Anyone else? Please let me know soon so I can pass it on to Michelle in Vivaldi – we need to have space booked...
Tuesday 8 April – NO REHEARSAL! You deserve an evening off!
Tuesday 15/22 April – rehearsals as normal
Saturday 26 April is the Raffle selling deadline. The QR code is on our website; the URL is the all-purpose one; if you want the one that auto-connects for ROCA, it is
https://bccf.rafflenexus.com/a/richmond-chorus-roca Your challenge is to get some non-ROCA people supporting us by buying tickets! There are only 9 orders totalling $260 so far - our goal is $1200+
Tuesday 29 April – RICHMOND SINGS – with local choirs, in support of the community meal program based at Gilmore Park United. Please note that this will be a 6:30pm call for a 7pm concert (we have kids involved). Let me know if you can’t be there at 6:30pm, because I’ll be organizing teams for choir placement (those of you who’ve done Richmond Sings will know what I mean, the rest will learn!)
We will sing Wie Lieblich, something uptempo and Canadian (Royal Hudson or Watching the Apples Grow) and lead O Canada and Down By the Riverside
Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27 May – rehearsals as usual – probably at least one will be with orchestra.
Tuesday 3 June – dress rehearsal
Tuesday 7 June – A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

Program is: (bolded has Chorus)
Mozart – Marriage of Figaro – overture, opening duet and aria – both soloists
Rossini – William Tell – Villagers Chorus
Bellini – Norma – Casta diva (w chorus) - Chloe
Wagner – Tannhauser – O du mein holder - Aaron
Nicolai – Merry Wives of Windsor – Moonlight Chorus
Mozart – Magic Flute – duet “Pa-pa-pa” - both
Verdi – Nabucco – Va Pensiero (chorus)
Puccini – Gianni Schicchi – O mio babbino caro - Chloe
Bizet – Carmen – Toreador Song (w chorus) - Aaron
Leoncavallo – I Pagliacci – Neddo/Silvio duet - both
Lehar – Merry Widow – Lippen Schweigen (w chorus)–both soloists - in English, so the audience can join on an encore

— Brigid

ROCA 2/26/25 ROCA 2/26/25

Preparing for Brahms Requiem

Joint Retreat - BRAHMS REQUIEM - Sunday, March 2, 2025

Venue: St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall/Gym - 3737 W 27th Ave., Vancouver

Parking: street as marked and the school lot across the street

Enter: via the left staircase when facing the church (gym is to the right)

Please keep the space SCENT free - to avoid triggering allergies

**If you require a music stand - please BRING one :)

There will be video and audio recording done of the three rehearsal blocks (by the Vivaldi CC team) - but no open Zoom link. The recordings will be shared afterwards.

Singers - please bring:

- Your score

- Pencil

- Water bottle

- Finger foods to share (please no nuts - mark GF and vegan/vegetarian items)

Orchestra members - please bring:

- A music stand (there are none at the venue)

- Your music

- Pencil

- Water bottle

- Finger foods to share (please no nuts - mark GF and vegan/vegetarian items)

- (Brass players - please bring something for emptying valves - avoiding slippery floors)

Break-down of the day

1PM - venue will be opened by Freda Miller, President Vivaldi CC

1:15-2:15 - combined choirs - please sit beside singers from “the other choir”

Jeon Mok collaborative pianist

- Warm-up

- Key spots:

- Movement 2 - page 20 - Letter H (measure 198) to measure 231

- Movement 3 - page 30 - measures 17-33 - matching articulation

- Page 38 - Letter F (measure 144) to end of movement

- NOTE: trying Movement 5 (sop solo) seated

- Movement 6 - opening to measure 28 - for matching articulation

- (We will work the transition from C into the Vivace WITH orchestra)

- Page 75 - measure 208 to Letter K (m. 266) - fugue balance and articulation

- Movement 7 - run for tuning and diction (time permitting)

- You will “mark” or shadow as the orchestra rehearses it’s tricky spots

2:15 - orchestra final set-up and tuning - choir stretch break

2:30 - 3:30 - orchestra rehearsal - singers can “shadow” or just listen

- Key points and transitions (not full run-through)

- Movement 1 - mm. = 74-76 for the quarter note

- From measure 119 to the end

- **final measure: strings will pizz with first harp note - winds/brass will play their chord

AS the harp plays the 10th note in the arpeggiated chord**

- Movement 2 - pick-up to letter G to measure 237

- Movement 3 - opening to letter C (measure 66)

- Measure 103 to end of movement

- Movement 4 - Letter A to fourth measure of B (measure 69)

- Movement 5 - **mm.=50 for the quarter note** - opening to letter B

- Letter D (oboe/cello duet) - to letter E

- Tune final chord

- Movement 6 - opening to letter A

- Letter C to letter D (for transitions)

- Measure 201 to letter G (transition and fugue)

- Pick-up to measure 339 (11 before the end of the movement) - subito p etc

- Movement 7 - mm.=66 for the quarter - Letter D to the end

3:30 to 4:00 - Break and sharing of finger foods (set up by volunteers)

4PM - Soloists called

4:00 to 5:45PM - Full run-through together

6:00 to 7:00 - Social Time

Thank you for making time for this rehearsal together - giving us a chance to build community
as we build this iconic work... it means a lot to everyone involved!

Orpheum Timings March 30th:

12:30 – 2:30 Orpheum crew assemble risers and orchestra

1:30 – Tympani & Harp, choir and orchestra can arrive

2:00 – warm up

2:30 – 3:00 entrances & exits

3:00 – 5:00 tutti making music

5:00 – 5:30 ?

5:30 – 7:00 dinner break 6:00 to 7:00 NO ONE ON STAGE (Members can bring their own food or go out)

7:00 on site

7:15 line up

7:30 curtain

Dressing rooms – Choirs up on 5th floor, Orchestra below stage (where VSO hangs), soloists in small dressing rooms, largest space will be the quiet room, smaller for Edette and possibly a second quiet space.

Chorus dress for both concerts: Tuxes / Aqua

Orchestra dress: all black formal

ROCA 1/8/25 ROCA 1/8/25

Happy New Year!

Hello ROCA Members, Please find the latest information from your Artistic Directors of Chorus & Orchestra below. The Member Contact Lists on the Members Page have been updated for this term (scroll down to find them). Thanks for your patience, this has been a very busy but successful season so far!

Chorus:

German Pronunciation Guide for Brahms Requiem

There are many Brahms German Requiem recordings, but here is one with score to follow along with: Brahms German Requiem YouTube Recording

Chorus Rehearsal Schedule:

Tuesdays - January 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4,
*Sunday 9 February – joint choir afternoon rehearsal at St Philips Dunbar, followed by potluck.
Tuesdays February 11, 18, 25
*Sunday 2 March – both choirs and orchestra, as above
Tuesdays March 4, 11, 18, 25 note that spring break falls mid-month - but I’m not going to take a rehearsal off till after the Brahms
Sunday 30 March – Orpheum Theatre; dress rehearsal 2:30-5:30pm; time to eat and change; concert at 7:30pm
Tuesday 1 April – Fraserview; dress rehearsal 7:30-9:30pm
Saturday 5 April – 6pm soundcheck; 7:30pm concert

Then I’ll probably give you April 8 OFF!

*The Sunday rehearsals in February and March are not optional, though the following potluck is; I’ll post timings as soon as I have confirmation from Edette.

Orchestra:

Program for February 22 Rising Stars Concert:

Handel Fireworks Overture - https://imslp.org/wiki/Music_for_the_Royal_Fireworks,_HWV_351_(Handel,_George_Frideric)

Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A minor (1st movement)- https://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_A_minor,_RV_356_(Vivaldi,_Antonio)

Marcello Oboe Concerto (complete) - https://imslp.org/wiki/Oboe_Concerto_in_D_minor,_S.Z799_(Marcello,_Alessandro)

Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1 (2nd and 3rd movements) - https://imslp.org/wiki/Clarinet_Concerto_No.1_in_F_minor%2C_Op.73_(Weber%2C_Carl_Maria_von)

Intermission

Grieg Peer Gynt Suite 1(movement 4) - https://imslp.org/wiki/Peer_Gynt_Suite_No.1%2C_Op.46_(Grieg%2C_Edvard)

Dukas Sorcerers Apprentice - https://imslp.org/wiki/L%27apprenti_sorcier_(Dukas%2C_Paul)

Grieg Piano Concerto (Movements 2 and 3) - https://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto,_Op.16_(Grieg,_Edvard)

Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule:

Jan 14, 21, 28

Feb 4, 11, 18, 22

Concert:

Feb 22

ROCA 10/16/24 ROCA 10/16/24

Notice of AGM 2024 & Updated Covid Protocol

Hello Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Members,

This is your official notice of our 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Time: 8:00 pm (expanded break between rehearsals)

Location: South Arm United Church (11051 No. 3 Rd, Richmond) - in the Sanctuary

Please plan to attend. Please make sure you sign in. Our Board members will offer reports from this past season and fiscal year and you will have an opportunity to learn about how our great organization is doing, and ask questions should you have any. And, we will approve our budget for this season.

All ROCA members have a voice and a vote at our AGMs. Mark your calendars and see you there!

ROCA – Revised Covid Guidelines October 2024

Covid guidelines have evolved over the years, based on known science and the advent of vaccines. ROCA’s Health and Safety Committee has therefore revised our guidelines developed in 2022.

These new guidelines are based upon the most recent (July 2024) information provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

The ROCA community is blessed to have a wide range of members, some of whom have conditions which put them at increased risk of infection. Therefore, in the interest of keeping everyone healthy, Orchestra and Chorus members must continue to self monitor for symptoms of respiratory illness and Covid prior to attending rehearsals. Completing a Covid test is an excellent tool to check for illness if you are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is.

ROCA recommends that members follow current BCDC recommendations to self isolate at home until a fever is gone for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications, (48 hours for vomiting or diarrhea) and until symptoms have subsided and you feel well enough to participate in daily activities.

ROCA recommends that members mask and maintain physical distance from other members if they are well enough to attend rehearsal after self isolating, with the understanding that they may be contagious up to 5-10 days after symptoms appear depending on the severity of their illness.

ROCA Health and Safety Committee
October 2024

ROCA 9/26/24 ROCA 9/26/24

Most recent emails from Admin & Chorus Conductor

Chorus:

Chorus Rehearsal Schedule:

Orchestra:

Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule:

The Richmond Community Orchestra and Chorus Association