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36 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 10, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008 Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE w w w. g e a r m u s i c . n e t 324 Kerr St. 905-339-3515 Conductor leading last holiday concert with choir Stainton retiring after 30 years with choral society By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Choral Society is featuring many longstanding traditions at its holiday concerts this week, but one regular fixture is in its last year. This will be artistic director and conductor J. Bev Stainton's final Christmas performance with the group. After 30 seasons with the choir, he is putting the baton down in April following the spring concert. Stainton said he is feeling a range of emotions about this week's concerts. "I have mixed emotions, but it is time I had a rest," he said. "I've had more fun with the group than you can shake a stick at. If I hadn't had fun, I wouldn't have done it." A special program has been created to mark Stainton's last Christmas concert with the OCS. The Beasts at the Manger, a Christmas cantata, is the centerpiece of the evening. The OCS commissioned the work, which features words by William Whitla and music by William Westcott. It premiered in 2001. "It is very melodic and singable," said Stainton. "In one chorus, there's a musical interlude with the orchestra and all the members become animals. It is fun and very light. Bill Westcott will be playing both nights, and Bill Whitla will be there Friday night." The choir will also perform part 1 of Handel's Messiah, along with the popular audience sing-along of Christmas carols. "We do four or five pieces with the audience and they are the familiar ones they know," Stainton said. "That gets people going, as they become part of the concert. They really enjoy it." There will be rich accompaniment for the pieces, with a 15-member orchestra for The Beasts at the Manger and Messiah. The choir's accompanist, Anne Marie Leonard, will also lend her talents to the event. "The orchestra players are always wonderful," said Stainton. Guest vocalists for the evening are Corinne Lynch, Laura Schatz, Bernie Lynch and Loris Buzdon. The event will also feature Judith Setton, the new conducting scholar for the 2008-09 season. "In this country, it is very difficult to learn to conduct and at the university level, you don't get to learn with a community or church choir," Stainton said. "This is our fourth year operating the program. It has been wonderful." The holiday concert is a must-see for music lovers of any age, according to Stainton. "This concert is ageless," he said. "The Beasts at the Manger is really something to hear. It's a fun story and it is all about the animals that come to the manger, and of course, the animals talk." The size of the choir has ranged between 70 and 100 members under Stainton's leadership, with the current age range of PHOTOS BY MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER singers stretching from 19 to 88. "The numbers fluctuate depending what MR. STAINTON'S OPUS: J. Bev Stainton is marking his 30th -- and last -- season with the you are performing and where you are," he Oakville Choral Society. Below, Stainton rehearses with members of the Oakville Choral Society in preparation for this week's Christmas performances. said. Most of the choir's current 70-plus "About 30 per cent of the choir have important to Stainton and a standard he members come from Oakville, but there's said he hopes will continue after his deparalso representation from surrounding been with us all that time," he said. Stainton said that he has challenged the ture. communities like Burlington, Mississauga, musicians over the years with a wide vari"It is a non-auditioned choir, which is Hamilton, Etobicoke and Milton. Stainton said he will miss the group. It ety of repertoire, and they've always come very rare these days, and that's always been one of the things I've has been a wonderful three decades and the through for him. "We've done everything "I've had more fun fought for," he said. singers are what have kept him coming under the sun, from ancient to with the group than "We just want people back, he explained. to come out and try it. "It's all about the nice people," he said. modern," he said. you can shake a stick "We did Carmina Burana, at. If I hadn't had fun, Many singers are scared "They are keen and enthusiastic and they which is really difficult and very I wouldn't have done of auditions, so it is nice work hard." to have a non-auditioned And he's not the only one who has been modern. They carried it off it." absolutely magnificently. choir because people around for the past three decades. They've always risen to the chal- J. Bev Stainton know they don't have to lenge, so that's the kind of peosing alone." Artistic director ple you really like to work with." The choir is welcomAs for what lies beyond his final appear- ing new members in January. Singers of ance in the spring, Stainton said he hopes any level are invited to attend the group's to travel the world. rehearsal and registration session on "I would like to do a little more travel- Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7:45 p.m. at the ling, while I'm still able," he said. "I would Sheridan College Trafalgar Campus in like to see my friends overseas and do a lit- room Room B125. tle work over there." The Oakville Choral Society presents He said he hopes the OCS remains their holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. on strong, as it greatly contributes to the com- Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at munity. The group has not yet named Christ Church (United), 1700 Mazo Stainton's successor. Crescent in Clarkson. "They've had a search out and they Tickets cost $22 for adults and $10 for received about 20 applications," he said. children 12 and under, and can be obtained The OCS rehearses Tuesday nights from by calling 905-845-5359 or 905-827-6129. September through May at Sheridan They can also be purchased at the door. College. For information, visit www.oakvilleThe choir is non-auditioned, which is choral.com.