The need for lead-free piezoceramics has caused a renewal of interest in $BaTiO_3$-based systems. Recently, it was found that ceramics in the $(Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O_3$ system have properties comparable to those of $Pb(Zr,Ti)O_3$. However, these ceramics require rather high sintering temperatures of $1450-1550^{circ}C$. In this work, the effect of $TiO_2$ and CuO addition on the sintering behavior, microstructure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of $(Ba_{0.85}Ca_{0.15})(Zr_{0.1}Ti_{0.9})O_3$ (BCTZ) ceramics will be discussed. BCTZ ceramics were prepared by the mixed oxide route and 1 mol % of $TiO_2$ or CuO was added. Undoped and doped ceramics were sintered at $1350^{circ}C$ for 1-5 h. CuO was found to be a very effective sintering aid, with samples sintered for 1 h at $1350^{circ}C$ having a bulk density of 95% theoretical density; however the piezoelectric properties were greatly reduced, probably due to the small grain size.