Chor Leoni: The Big Roar

PRESS RELEASE

Chor Leoni and TD Bank Group Offer Unprecedented Accessibility to its Annual Community Choral Festival, The Big Roar

Signature choral festival marks 10th anniversary with $5 TD Community Roar Tickets due to generous sponsorship gift from TD

Vancouver, BC –Chor Leoni announces the return of its 10th annual signature community choral festival, The Big Roar, on stage at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on May 3, 2025, at 4pm. For the first time in its history, the dynamic and uplifting concert will be widely accessible to all audiences through the special offer of more than 800 $5 TD Community Roar Tickets, thanks to a generous $25,000 sponsorship gift from TD.

“Our vision for The Big Roar over the past decade has been to grow this celebratory event into a beacon of hope and light, where audiences from all walks of life can be engaged and enriched through choral singing,” says Chor Leoni Artistic Director Erick Lichte. “Through the incredible generosity of TD, this major sponsorship provides an opportunity for our longtime vision to come to life – to build support, awareness, and appreciation of our diverse youth programs, while providing unprecedented access to those who may not otherwise be able to experience the energy and impact of live choral music that truly brings a community together.”

The Big Roar represents a choral event unlike any other in Canada, featuring five choirs across all ages, including Vancouver’s own Juno-nominated Chor Leoni, the MYVoice educational choirs, the young singers of the MYVoice PRÉLUDE program, the Chor Leoni’s Emerging Choral Artists, and professional ensemble, The Leonids. Featuring more than 250 singers across all five choirs, the concert is the culmination of a dedicated period of mentorship, instruction, rehearsals, and performances for this robust community of singers, from emerging to professional. Each group will perform their own sets and then unite to become Canada’s largest lower voice choir for one unforgettable concert experience.

“We’re so proud to work with Chor Leoni to build access and help the community experience the transformative power of choral singing,” says Catherine Dangerfield, Assistant Pacific Region Head, TD Wealth. “TD supports organizations focused on increasing access for people to take part in music, arts, and cultural events. We’re thrilled to lend our support to The Big Roar’s landmark 10th anniversary celebration of community singing.”

Through its mission to train artists and educate singers of all ages, Chor Leoni operates several programs to engage youth as the future lifeblood of choral music. Its MYVoice program, free for singers aged 12-24, operates programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and a new fourth location in Coquitlam, added in 2025. Overall, more than 80 youth will take part in this year’s 10-week program, and will perform as part of The Big Roar.

Chor Leoni also launched a new program for young singers in 2025 called MYVoice PRÉLUDE. Under the direction of music educator Carrie Taylor, two sections of young singers in grades 5, 6, and 7 will rehearse out of Burnaby Central Secondary School and Saint James Music Academy and perform as part of The Big Roar.

The Big Roar will also feature the professional headline choir, The Leonids, a nine-member professional ensemble of the finest singers from across North America, under the direction of Chor Leoni’s Artistic Director Erick Lichte. In addition to their active solo careers, these extraordinary singers join the Chor Leoni community every spring to serve as an educational, inspirational, and aspirational force for this festival and beyond.

In the week leading up to The Big Roar, The Leonids work closely with Chor Leoni’s Emerging Choral Artist Program, a world-class performance and mentorship opportunity for pre-professional tenor, baritone, and bass singers aged 18-30.

Together, the five-choir ensemble will perform an electrifying blend of classic and modern choral works, including a world premiere from Chor Leoni’s composer-in-residence, Marie-Claire Saindon.

For tickets and information, visit chorleoni.org

About Chor Leoni (chorleoni.org)
Known internationally and loved locally, JUNO-nominated Chor Leoni is recognized as one of the vanguard vocal ensembles in North America. Founded by the late choral luminary Diane Loomer and now led by Artistic Director Erick Lichte, Vancouver’s Singing Lions have enriched and transformed people’s lives through singing for thirty years. With stylistic grace and an adventurous spirit, Chor Leoni performs in many languages, styles and genres, always aiming to communicate, engage, and entertain.

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Erick Lichte
Chor Leoni

Laura Murray
lmurray@mpmgarts.com
604.418.2998

Website: chorleoni.org
Twitter: @chorleoni
Facebook: @chorleoni
Instagram: @chorleoni