TERMS AND
CONDITIONS

SPRING 2026 SEASON

Rain Coast Choir is a non-auditioned five-part rock/pop community choir based in East Vancouver, led by singer-songwriter and vocal coach Joline Baylis. We welcome singers of all skill and experience levels. Our choir is built on a culture of respect, collaboration, and engaged participation.

Each member plays a role in shaping the choir experience. The following terms and conditions outline how we work together to create a safe and rewarding season for all our members.

If you have questions, please review our FAQ or contact us before registering.

1. Health and Wellness Policy

Rain Coast Choir is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for group singing. Members are asked to prioritize the health and well-being of the group.

• Please do not attend rehearsal if you are experiencing symptoms of illness (cough, sore throat, fever, congestion, fatigue, etc.), whether from COVID-19, cold, flu, or other respiratory illness.

• If you've had recent known exposure to COVID-19 or other contagious illness and may be in the incubation period, please use your best judgment and consider the wellbeing of fellow members before attending.

• If you have allergies or other chronic conditions with symptoms that mirror respiratory illness, please let us know so we can support your safe participation. Information will be kept confidential.

• Hand sanitizer will be available. Members are encouraged to bring their own supplies. Masks are optional but welcome.

• Anyone who arrives visibly ill will be asked to go home for the evening.

• If you have questions or concerns, contact info@raincoastchoir.com.

2. Attendance and Missed Rehearsal Policy

Member Attendance and Absence

• Members are expected to make choir a weekly commitment and attend rehearsals regularly unless they are unwell.

• If you have a prior commitment and need to miss a rehearsal, please notify your section leader ahead of time.

• If a member misses a rehearsal because they are ill or have a prior commitment, they may use the practice tracks to keep up to speed.

Director Absence

• If Joline misses a rehearsal, a substitute will coordinate the rehearsal. Section leaders can also help to direct and/or workshop with their sections.

• If Joline and multiple others become sick, this would indicate that risk of transmission had increased. We may suspend choir practice until we determine it is safe to continue meeting.

3. Season/Show Interruption Contingency Plan

Rain Coast Choir plans each season in good faith with the intention of completing rehearsals and presenting an end-of-season performance. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, adjustments may be required.

• Rehearsals, schedules, locations, or performance details may change due to illness, venue availability, or other unexpected factors.

• If the performance cannot proceed as planned, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or adapt where possible.

Season tuition supports participation in the full season and is not contingent on a specific performance outcome. Any significant changes will be communicated clearly to members.

4. Member Participation Requirements

Rain Coast Choir is a collaborative, rehearsal-based choir working toward an end-of-season performance. To support a positive and successful season, members are expected to:

• Attend rehearsals regularly and treat choir as a weekly commitment for the duration of the season, unless they are unwell.

  • Members who miss rehearsals are responsible for keeping up with the material using the practice resources provided.

• Come prepared, using the provided practice tracks and lyric sheets to learn material between rehearsals.

• Sing in tune and match pitch, and be willing to work toward memorization of songs for performance.

• Participate actively in rehearsals, remaining open to guidance and musical direction throughout the season.

• Attend required season activities

  • Members are expected to attend our extended rehearsal, which will take place on a weekend in May 2026. The specific date will be confirmed early in the season.

  • Members are required to participate in sound check on show day. Timeline and details will be communicated in advance. Please notify the director ahead of time if you have scheduling conflicts.

5. Registration

• Season tuition for Spring 2026 is $495, which covers participation in the full season.

• Registration is for the full season, and drop-ins are not offered.

• If finances are a barrier, a limited number of bursaries are available. Please reach out privately before registering to discuss options.

6. Refund Policy

• Members must withdraw from choir before Friday, February 27th to receive a refund for the season.

• A $25 administrative fee will be deducted from the refund, as well as $25 for each week attended.

• No refunds will be given for season tuition after the deadline.

• No refunds will be provided for missed rehearsals. The registration fee is for participation in the full season.

7. Tolerance and Inclusivity Policy

• All members are welcome, and will be treated with respect, regardless of racial identity, ethnicity, cultural identity, religion, beliefs, physical ability, socioeconomic status, social class, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. 

• If you have preferred pronouns, please do make them known if you would like to.

• We are a community built on collaboration, support and encouragement. Singing and exploring our voices together is a vulnerable endeavour, and it is expected that all members will respect and celebrate each other's abilities, ideas, creativity and feelings. Criticism and competetion have no place in Rain Coast Choir and will not be allowed.

8. Scent Sensitivity Policy

• Certain scents and chemicals, even in small amounts, can trigger allergic reactions or asthmatic attacks, as well as other symptoms such as dizziness, migraines, shortness of breath, or light-headedness.

• Members are asked to be considerate in their use of scented products such as perfumes, colognes, aftershave, hair products or lotions, before and during rehearsal, and to be aware that they may be asked to refrain from using such products should this be required.

9. Photography and Video Consent

• Members consent to having their likeness used in photos and videos for promotional purposes.

• If you are concerned about being included, we will provide expectations about when to expect filming and/or photographing during rehearsals and social events, so you can take measures to avoid being captured.

• It is not possible to avoid being included in photo and video during our performances, as there may be professional photographers, videographers, and or audience members recording the show.

10. Privacy Policy

• Personal information collected is used to identify members, determine services and instruction required, and protect the safety and security of members.

• All personal information shared during rehearsals and/or in private, whether verbal or written, shall remain confidential. Contact information provided may be shared amongst Rain Coast Choir volunteers, section leaders, and other members for the purposes of communicating choir-related updates, scheduling extra rehearsals, coordinating volunteer activities, etc.

• No personal information shall be passed on to any institutions or individuals outside the Rain Coast Choir organization without your expressed consent.

• You may receive email or phone correspondence from authorized individuals, either from official Rain Coast Choir email addresses, or the individuals’ personal email addresses. All Rain Coast Choir members and representatives agree to respect your privacy, and no personal information shall be shared with parties outside the Rain Coast Choir organization.

11. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Policy

• All Rain Coast Choir practice materials (practice tracks, lyrics, scores, instructional audio and/or video, etc.) are provided for private use of current registered choir members, for educational and support purposes only.

• Confidential materials and recordings shall not be shared with outside parties, redistributed, presented or posted publicly in any form, either physically or online.

12. Liability Disclaimer

Choral Singing and Somatic VoiceworkTM

• In choral singing, and vocal coaching using Somatic Voicework TM, the focus is on healthy vocal function, and our practice rests on a great respect for and sensitivity to the responses of the body, while we explore singing and developing the voice. Emphasis is on free and easy use of the voice, and we do not seek to strain, contort or push the voice beyond what is comfortable. Every effort will be made to ensure that our work together does not create undue stress on, or injury to, the voice.

• Rain Coast Choir members assume full responsibility for any risks involved in participation. If you are concerned about the impact of singing on your voice, you may wish to consult a medical professional or specialist prior to registering for the season.

COVID-19, Communicable Disease, Health and Safety

• While Rain Coast Choir makes every effort to create a safe environment in regard to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, members agree to self-monitor, prioritize the health and safety of fellow participants, and assume full responsibility for any risks involved in group singing and performing.

• Rain Coast Choir, 411 Seniors Centre Society, and Joline Baylis assume no liability for any illness, injury or damages that occur as a result of participation in choir rehearsals and/or performances.

If you have questions or concerns regarding any of the above Terms and Conditions, please visit our FAQ page. Alternatively, feel free to contact us or email info@raincoastchoir.com.