National Call for Expressions of Interest for the
PODIUM 2026 Co-Chairs and Organizing Committee

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What is Podium?
Podium is Choral Canada's national biennial bilingual choral conference and festival. This multi-day celebration brings together participants from across the country and beyond who are passionate about group singing. Podium is the top meeting place for Canada's choral and group singing arts sector and community, creating space for networking, mobilizing knowledge through a variety of presentation formats, and nourishing the interest in group singing through exposure to new music, creative performances, and innovative practices.

When and where is PODIUM 2026?
The 2026 edition of Podium, co-hosted by Choral Canada and the British Columbia Choral Federation (BCCF), will be held in Victoria, British Columbia from May 14-17, 2026 (the Victoria Day long weekend).

Call for PODIUM 2026 CO-CHAIRS
The co-hosting organizations are seeking two (2) individuals from British Columbia to volunteer for the positions of Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs are responsible for leading the PODIUM 2026 Organizing Committee, working closely with Podium staff, and providing significant time and expertise to ensure the success of the event.

The time commitment is from September 2024 - August 2026, with an average of 5-10 hours of work per week. Co-Chairs are also required to participate in virtual weekly meetings and attend PODIUM 2026 as a delegate (either virtually or in-person).

Call for ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The co-hosting organizations are also seeking volunteers from British Columbia and across the country to join the Podium Organizing Committee. The committee is a working group responsible for planning and managing the PODIUM 2026 conference and festival. Committee members are responsible for chairing sub-committees (see below), working closely with the Podium Co-Chairs and staff, participating in virtual monthly meetings and attending PODIUM 2026 as a delegate (either virtually or in-person).

Members of the Organizing Committee will be asked to commit from October 2024 - June 2026. On top of monthly meetings, the number of volunteer hours depends on the tasks taken on by the committee member.

The co-hosting organizations are seeking individuals who are passionate and knowledgeable about the choral art form and group singing. They are collaborative team players with excellent interpersonal and listening skills. They are broad-minded, creative, proactive and have a willingness to work hard and complete identified tasks.

Diversity of Voices
The PODIUM 2026 Organizing Committee will be composed of individuals who represent a variety of human qualities and characteristics. We value new perspectives and original ideas. We strongly encourage people who identify as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, Disabled, 2SLGBTQ+, gender-diverse, and intersections of these identities, to express their interest for the committee positions.

All are welcome and steps will be taken to ensure everyone feels respected, heard, and accommodated, so that they can be their full self in this important work.

Language
The working language of the committee is English, but please note that many aspects of PODIUM 2026 are bilingual (English and French).

Sub-committees can include (but are not limited to):
- After Hour Events and Pop-Up Concerts – help plan and organize
- Volunteer Coordination – lead and manage recruitment and training of volunteers
- Virtual Conference Engagement – help plan and organize
- Community Engagement Events – help plan and organize
- Conducting Masterclasses – help plan and organize
- Grants and Sponsorships – support with research, writing, and stewardship
- Local Choir Liaisons – act as main point of contact and support for local choirs
- Guest Choir Liaisons – act as main point of contact and support for guest choirs
- Marketing and Promotion – support Podium staff on marketing and promotion
- Social Media – lead and manage content creation before/during event
- Bilingualism – ensure English and French are treated as equally as possible
- Technical Team – help manage the Podium technical team; act as liaisons
- Special Project(s) – to be determined for each Podium
- Communal Singing projects – e.g. lead and manage the creation of a Songbook
- Marketplace – support Podium staff on communicating with exhibitors
- Social/Hospitality – oversee welcoming delegates, choirs, and special guests
- Session and Concert Hosts – schedule hosts and customize speeches 

Sending your “Expression of Interest”
If you are interested in either position, please apply by sending an email with the subject line “PODIUM 2026 Expression of Interest” to [email protected] by Friday, August 23, 2024. Please include a brief summary of your background and experience, describing why you would like to be on the PODIUM 2026 Organizing Committee as a Co-Chair or committee member.

Our Commitment
Choral Canada and the BC Choral Federation are committed to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all their work. They strive to build diversity and inclusivity into their teams, programs and services, and are committed to addressing decoloniality and anti-racism within their organizations and work. Choral Canada and BC Choral Federation aim to foster a bilingual organizational environment in which all people wishing to participate in Podium may flourish.

If you require any support submitting your expression of interest, please contact us at (647) 606-2467 or [email protected]. 

Selection
Committee members will be selected by staff and board members from the two partnering organizations, Choral Canada and the BC Choral Federation. Selection will be based upon the candidate’s expression of interest and the qualifications outlined above. All individuals who express interest in committee positions will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of the process.

Questions
If you have any questions about these positions, please contact Choral Canada at [email protected] or (647) 606-2467.

Choral Canada’s office is located in Tkaronto, Dish With One Spoon territory and covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We are grateful to work, live and make music on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat.

The British Columbia Choral Federation gratefully acknowledges that our members work, live and sing on the traditional, unceded territories in this region of more than 200 First Nations whose rich artistry, culture and traditions surround us. In especial gratitude, we salute the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, on whose territories we house our offices.