"It was a pleasure to have the United States represented by such an accomplished choral ensemble as the Tahoma Girls' Choir. In every way, these girls exhibited exemplary behavior and offered our foreign guests the best examples of American choral art."
Choir History
The Tahoma Girls’ Choir was founded in 1988. Under the direction of Dr. Gregory and Nancy Vancil since 1990, TGC has gained an international reputation for Choral excellence. TGC offers a rigorous yet positive approach to choral music for girls ages 7-20 throughout the South Puget Sound region. The TGC program provides concentrated instruction in vocal and choral technique, performance skills, music literacy and theory. The Choir consists of three ensembles: Cherubim, a preparatory choir for our youngest singers; Intermezzo, an intermediate-level choir for developing choristers; and Cantabile, our premier touring ensemble. TGC ensembles have performed at state, regional and national music conventions, and at international choral festivals. Significant performances in TGC’s history include:
July-August, 2005: Cantabile tours to Sweden, Russia, Estonia and Latvia, performing at the Riga International Women’s Choir Festival, Riga, Latvia
July, 2004: Cantabile travels with Latvia’s Riga Girls’ Choir to perform at the Idaho International Choral Festival, Pocatello, Idaho
July, 2002 and 1999: Cantabile performs at the Idaho International Choral Festival, Pocatello, Idaho.
August, 2000: TGC is the only choir from the Americas to be invited to perform in the Vivace 2000 International Choral Festival, Veszprem, Hungary.
March, 1999: All three TGC Choirs perform at the Washington State Arts Time Convention.
December, 1998: All three TGC Choirs perform with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
July, 1998: Cantabile and Intermezzo perform for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Regional Conference.
February, 1998: Cantabile and Intermezzo perform with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra.
November, 1997: Cantabile performs at the National Convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
December, 1996: All three TGC Choirs perform with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
July, 1996: Cantabile performs at the International Choral Kathaumixw, Powell River, BC, Canada.
March, 1996: Cantabile performs at the Northwest Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association.
February, 1996: All three TGC Choirs perform for the Washington State Music Educators’ Arts Advocacy Day.
In addition, TGC performed annually from 1996-2009 on the Argosy Christmas Ship.
TGC has performed world premieres of several significant choral works, including Daniel Gawthrop’s “Sea Visions,” and the “Cedar House Songs” by Gregory Youtz. In 2002, TGC received a grant from the Pierce County Arts Board to produce the world premier of Gregory Youtz’ “To Bethlehem”.
All Choirs participate in Concerts, Retreats, weekly rehearsals and special events as is appropriate.
Related Sites
This retreat center in British Columbia is the site of ChoralCamp 2001, and we hope to return for future camps. The TGC members who attended all loved their time there.
YVM is a delightful children’s choir from Melbourne, Australia, who visited with TGC in July, 2001.
TSO is the preeminent symphony in the South Sound. TGC has performed with the Symphony in 1996 and 1998. We hope to collaborate with the Symphony again.
Northwest Sinfonietta is a regional professional orchestra, based in Tacoma, Washington. TGC performed with them in 2002.
Idaho International Choral Festival
This international choral festival has been attracting talented choirs from all around the world since 1999. TGC has been three times (1999, 2002, 2004) to this growing, world-class event.
ChoralNet.org is a comprehensive resource for all things choral related. We are listed in their directory of choirs on the web!
Black Lake Bible Camp is a wonderful Camp and Retreat Center in Tumwater where TGC holds Retreats and Summer Camps.
AcademyWest, based in Vancouver, BC, was our co-host for ChoralCamp 2001. Check out their great web site!