Rain Coast Choir is a non-auditioned, 5-part Rock/Pop choir based in East Vancouver, BC and led by Joline Baylis, a singer-songwriter, recording artist and vocal coach. We are a warm and vibrant community built on respect, support, and of course our love of group singing!

We are dedicated to supporting our Songbirds in their vocal and creative goals and development. We come together to support each other as we grow in our abilities, confidence and expression.

We create fine-tuned vocal arrangements of classic songs and current favourites. Over the years, we’ve sung songs by David Bowie, The Tragically Hip, Fiona Apple, The Beach Boys, Neil Young, Bahamas, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen and more! All songs are learned by ear with lyrics sheets and practice tracks provided... no need to read music notation, and no prior choir experience necessary! If you can sing in tune, you can learn to sing with others.

We love collaborating with artists here in Vancouver, and we have had the pleasure of performing with Leo D.E Johnson, Logan and Nathan, Daughter of the Moon, Joshua Wood, Monica Lee and Jack Garton, among others.

Our Spring 2025 season theme is “Summer of Love,” with our repertoire comprised of songs from the late 60s. Music from this era is full of odd and interesting vocal harmony, that just begs to be sung by a choir!

To rise to the challenge of these songs, we’ll spend the season honing in on pitch, fine-tuning our ear for intervals, and learning to lean into harmonies that may surprise us!

We will sing songs by the Mamas and the Papas, The 5th Dimension, Buffalo Springfield and more!

Summer of Love Showcase
Our showcase is always the highlight of our season, where we come together to share songs with our friends and families. Our Summer of Love Showcase will take place at the iconic Rio Theatre on Sunday, June 1st, 2025.

Registration for new members will open on January 1st, 2025. All skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. As long as you can sing in tune, match pitches with your voice, and learn songs by ear (with the aid of practice tracks and lyrics sheets), we’ll teach you the rest!

Members are expected to be engaged in and committed to developing their vocal and musical abilities, and to be open to following the guidance provided as we work throughout the season. Joline Baylis, the choir's director and a professional vocal coach, is passionate about providing the specific support that each singer needs in order to build confidence and skill.

You will also be supported by our dedicated section leaders, who are there to help answer questions, foster connection within your section, and coordinate section practices throughout the season.

In order to be able to sing as many songs as we can this season, we would like to make the best use of the time we have. One way to accomplish this is for singers to learn their parts to the songs on their own to the best of their ability, using the practice tracks and lyrics provided. This allows us to focus on crafting and fine-tuning the choir's sound during our rehearsal time. 

We spend each term working towards a concert at the end of the season, so it is important for members to be up-to-speed with the material as we go. Singers are expected to consider the choir a weekly commitment for the duration of the season. This helps create a cohesive group and allows each member to get the most out of the Rain Coast Choir experience!

What your membership includes

• Weekly practice in a safe, welcoming atmosphere

• Original signature Rain Coast Choir arrangements (not cookie cutter choir songs)

• Recorded practice tracks and lyrics to aid in your home practice

• Supportive, respectful vocal coaching and guidance

• Performance training and mentorship

• End-of-season performance experience

• Fellowship and connection with warm and creative new friends

• An invitation to honour your deeper connection to your voice

• A chance to explore what singing means for you, and to experience the therapeutic and uplifting effects of expressing yourself in song

Weekly Rehearsals: Wednesdays from Feb. 12th - May 28th from 7:00 - 9:00pm
(Sign-in and set up at 6:45pm so we're ready to sing at 7:00pm)

Performance: Sunday, Jun. 1st

Extended Rehearsal: Saturday, May 17th

Sectional Practices: Each section will have the opportunity to meet with their section leaders to workshop their parts at least twice throughout the season. Dates to be determined.