Seven singers from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows will travel to Costa Rica during Spring Break, 2013.

Sydney Coates, Hannah Gullmes, Abby Kittlitz, Georgia Masaki, Jessica Stewart, Tara Tyler, and Katie White, along with many other members of the British Columbia Girls Choir, will travel to the Central American country for a 10-day concert tour.

Other highlights for the 2012-13 season will be a Christmas performance at the Orpheum Theatre with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Orchestra and one of the most famous operatic tenors in the world, Ben Heppner.

“Touring is an essential aspect of our program. We love to share our music beyond our borders. This trip is particularly interesting, as we will be giving educational outreach performances at three schools; one school has 1,000 children and very little music,” said the choir’s artistic director Fiona Blackburn.

When the choir returns, they will host the Wakayama Children’s Choir from Japan, in a three day festival. Singing for peace will be the main theme of this international event.

“This really is our most exciting season to date. Over and above the tour and guest performances, we still have all our regular concerts, camps and outreach events. One that I’m really looking forward to is a performance in conjunction with the anti-bullying, Pink Shirt campaign, early in 2013,” said Blackburn.

The British Columbia Girls Choir auditions are scheduled for Aug. 28 and 29.