PIEDMONT EAST BAY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Organizational Bio 

The internationally acclaimed Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir (PEBCC) offers children throughout San Francisco’s East Bay an outstanding program of music training and choral performance. Started in 1982 by founding Executive Director Susan Rahl with Artistic Director Robert Geary, the Choir has performed with the Barenaked Ladies, Berkeley Symphony, John Denver, The Mark Morris Dance Group, Oakland Symphony, San Francisco Choral Society, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Volti, San Francisco Choral Society, at national and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America and Organization of American Kodaly Educators. In recent years, they sang with Joyce di Donato in EDEN and premiered Michael Gilbertson’s Denial with Volti and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. In addition to vigorous programming of innovative new music commissions and premieres, the Choir is a leading force in international choral activities, with far-reaching collaborations, high marks in competitions worldwide, and the establishment of the Golden Gate International Children’s and Youth Choral Festival in 1991. 

Ensemble from PEBCC has earned grand prizes, first prizes and gold medals at prestigious competitions across Europe, Asia and the Americas. In 2024, the Choir earned first prize in the senior children's choir category and the coveted "Young Choir of the World" title at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, after earning two second prizes at the same competition in 2017. In 2014, the Choir attended the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava, the Slovak Republic and won the Grand Prix Award for Choral Music and four gold medals. In 2010, the Choir earned first prize in Contemporary Music and second prize in the Children’s Choir category at the 2010 Kathaumixw International Choral Festival in British Columbia, Canada. In 2008, Ensemble was the only choir to win three gold medals at the Grand Prix St. Petersburg (Russia) Choral Festival. In 2006, they earned two gold medals at the Hong Kong International Children’s Choral Festival. In 2003, Geary led the Choir to a special award for highest score among equal voice choirs and a second prize in contemporary music at the prestigious Guido D’Arezzo competition in Gorizia, Italy and in 2000, Ensemble became the first and only American children’s choir to date to earn a first prize at the Choral Olympics/ World Choir Games. 

Recognizing that the creation of art is a forward-looking and forward-thinking endeavor, the Choir has commissioned and premiered dozens of new works by living composers including Sue Bohlin, Kui Dong, Stacy Garrop, Anne Hege, Jacqueline Hairston, Olli Kortekangas, Pekka Kostiainen, Kirke Mechem, Zae Munn, Melissa Dunphy, Pablo Ortiz, Eric Tuan, Mark Winges, Robin Estrada, Jens Ibsen, and many others. 

Ancora Bio

Ancora, conducted by Robert Geary, is PEBCC’s treble chamber group, made up of high school-age treble voices who pass a rigorous vocal audition. Ancora sings almost exclusively contemporary unaccompanied music, performing challenging repertoire in as many as eight parts. Participation in Ancora represents the fruition of many years of choral excellence in PEBCC choirs. All members of Ancora also study voice privately. The group collaborates with composers and arts organizations presenting new music, makes recordings, performs for public events, and tours occasionally. 

Ecco Bio 

Ecco, conducted by Eric Tuan, consists of mixed voices in tenth grade or above. Most singers have progressed through the Choir program, including Ensemble, and are dedicated choral artists who have participated in concerts, competitions, and collaborations at the highest artistic level. Newcomers find Ecco in their search for a high-calibre ensemble and are admitted by audition. The group has high standards of artistic excellence and sensitivity and sings a varied repertoire of choral music, ranging from classical to popular and jazz.