about

Festival Mandate

Mission Statement

We celebrate the human spirit building bridges of understanding and respect through music.

Vision

To inspire people, young and old alike in harmony and song through the inclusive and collaborative activity of world choral music.

To invigorate the choral community and the community at large by providing opportunities of musical and life long learning in a non-competitive environment through shared workshops, seminars, rehearsals and performances for choirs, children, youth and adults, from around the world.

History

COASTAL SOUND INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL evolved from the amazing gathering of children at the World Choral Symposium 2001 held in Vancouver. After her dream of 2001 children singing together became a reality, Donna Otto realized that a “mini version” of this “world harmony through choral artistry” might take place every two years in the Vancouver region.

With very short planning time, the inaugural CSI Choral Festival successfully took place in 2005 with 5 choirs participating under the direction of guest conductors, Sanna Valvanne (Finland), and Diane Loomer (Canada).  In 2007, guest conductors Bob Chilcott (Great Britain) and Christian Grases (Venezuela/USA) lead 18 choirs in exciting repertoire that enriched the singers in their experience of Songs of the World.   As part of the many musical experiences of the festival, the commissioned work for the CSI Choral Festival was premiered with the massed choir of over 450 voices singing the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson…..”at noonday, you and I see the same sun shine!”  The message that we are globally united through the “Songs of the World” was well established in this international choral festival for children and youth!

The 2009 Festival hosted 10 choirs in the continued joyful spirit of international music making under the leadership of guest conductors, Francisco Núñez (New York) and Adam Con (Georgia).

The 4th biennial Festival in 2011 with guest conductors Rollo Dilworth (Pennsylvania, USA) and Henry Leck (Indiana, USA) is anticipated to be the most exciting of the CSI Choral Festivals thus far! 12 visiting choirs will be welcomed by the 2 Coastal Sound Music Academy host choirs. Internationally recognized Canadian composer and conductor, Brian Tate will lead City Soul Choir in the opening ceremonies, and will share his world music skills with groups in workshop settings. Other enriching “bridge building” music encounters are being planned for the youthful singers as they share their music and inspire the audience communities!

The foundational theme, “Songs of the World”,   is the essence of the choral artistry shared in this biennial festival.  The power of the songs brings children and youth together from around the globe, and sends them back home with deeper understanding of each other and of how to be better leaders to create a world of harmony.

“WE CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT BUILDING BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT THROUGH MUSIC”

Board and Staff

Board of Directors

President:	John White
Vice-President:	Sharon Young
Secretary:	David Spence
Treasurer:	Ren Wu

Members at Large

Raagani Appadurai
Paula Broderick
Annette Coffin
Morna Edmundson
Darlene Gering
Dave Henry
Rosalie Passmore

Advisory Members (non-voting)

CSICF Artistic Director:	Donna Otto
CSMA Executive Director:	Dan Mattinson

Staff

Festival Manager:	Donna Otto	info@coastalsoundfestival.com
Volunteer Coordinator:	Shelly Pennington	info@coastalsoundfestival.com
Technical Director:	Richard Berg	URP Event Production & Creative Services