20 Artscene · WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2009 Something old, Something new n By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville Choral Society bids farewell to longtime conductor, welcomes new music director conducting to get to know the group," he said. "Bev has really built a strong musical ensemble and I really enjoyed the time we've spent collaborating. I wish him a wonderful final concert as a farewell." The new conductor said he hopes to continue the choral society's rich tradition that Stainton has established. "I think it is essential to build on the past given its rich history and the dedication of so many volunteers, community members and the choristers themselves," Bowser said. One vision he has for the group is increasing its size. "I have a very inclusive philosophy about music-making and I would like to encourage people in the community who are interested in singing to come out and try us at a rehearsal or two," he said. "If the chorus grows in numbers, the repertoire can handle it. The more participation in music, the better. We encourage anyone who has any inkling to give it a try and see if it fits for them. We're a friendly bunch." The new conductor said he plans to continue to feature a wide variety of repertoire at upcoming concerts. "Given the size of the choir, there's a lot of flexibility there," Bowser said. "It was actually very attractive to me that they have such a history of presenting diverse repertoire. I want to keep that diversity that will attract a broad audience." As Bowser busily prepares to be passed the baton, Stainton is starting to plan how he'd like to enjoy his retirement. One thing he knows he wants to do is travel. However, he won't forget the group, he added. "I'm available and if they need help, I'm there," Stainton said. Bowser, meanwhile, said he can't wait to get started. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the Oakville community and the choristers, and to contribute to the town's cultural soundscape," he said. Oakville Choral Society presents Favourites, From Bach to Broadway on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Glen Abbey United Church, 1469 Nottinghill Gate. Tickets cost $22 for adults $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling 905-845-5359 or 905-827-6129, as well as at the door. For information, visit the Oakville Choral Society website at www.oakvillechoral.com. I t's the end of an era, and the start of what Oakville Choral Society members hope will be a new one. J. Bev Stainton, the longtime, beloved music director and conductor of the choral society will be conducting his last concerts in the first weekend of May. It has been a long run -- 30 years to be exact -- but it's time to retire, he said. "It is a nice group to work with and I will miss them, but it's time," Stainton said. "They're all such wonderful people." The man expected to continue the musical legacy that Stainton has built is David Bowser. The Toronto-based conductor and musician is currently the music director of the North York Concert Orchestra Symphony Orchestra. Bowser has been attending Oakville Choral Society rehearsals since early March. He said he is excited about taking over the group. "When I went to Oakville, I felt an immediate connection with the chorus," he said. "It was a wonderful experience. The enthusiasm and the quality of sound I received with just a few gestures, I got a lot back from them. It was a really nice connection." The Oakville Choral Society's spring concert will see Stainton lead the majority of the pieces. The concert is entitled Favourites, From Bach to Broadway and will be held May 1 and 2. As the title suggests, the concerts will feature a wide variety of music. There will be traditional classics by composers like Handel, Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, as well as a large number of show tunes. Musical numbers on the program are Puttin' on the Ritz, All That Jazz, There's No Business Like Show Business, among many others. "It is going to be a fun show, there's something for everyone," Stainton said. "We're going through the whole gamut, from early music right through to Broadway stuff." The event will feature two soloists, including Corinne Lynch, soprano section leader of the Oakville Choral Society, and her friend, mezzo-soprano Laura Schatz. "They are marvelous soloists and will be doing some great stuff together," Stainton said. An orchestra of professional musicians DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER MOVING ON: Outgoing Oakville Choral Society music director J. Bev Stainton, left, works with the choristers at one of his last rehearsals before the spring concert, as David Bowser, right, prepares to take over. Stainton is retiring after 30 years of leading the choir. will accompany the pieces. Stainton said the choir's strength is its versatility. This is impressive to say the least, considering there are more than 70 singers between the ages of 19 and 88 in the group, he added. "This is good for the choir because it keeps them on their toes," he said. "It is good training for them to learn all the different material so that when you put something in front of them, it is not foreign. The choir is great and they jump into it, no matter what type of music it is." Stainton said he is particularly excited about conducting the concert's closing piece, which will be an excerpt from Handel's Messiah. "That has sort of been a standard and a favourite, and it says it all, it virtually says, `Amen,'" the longtime conductor said. Bowser will also be conducting three pieces at the concert, including an excerpt from Brahms' Requiem, Gershwin's Summertime and Martin Shaw's With A Voice of Singing. "It's very unique for an outgoing conductor to invite the incoming conductor to participate in his or her final concert, so this kind of collaborative spirit sets a tone that is very respectful and inspiring, so I'm very happy to take part in this concert," Bowser said. While there were some who were skeptical of the Oakville Choral Society's future pending the departure of its beloved music director, Stainton brushes those doubts aside. He said he believes Bowser is the right person to lead the chorus. "He's working out just fine and I'm very pleased they chose him," Stainton said. "He's a super guy. I think it (the choir) will continue to go strong. It's been a good transition and he's like me, where he believes you get more with a pat on the head than you do with a kick in the pants. I'm sure David will do a really good job with them. He's very pleasant, gentle and even-keeled. He also knows his stuff. He's a very fine musician." Bowser is equally complimentary of Stainton. "I've actually been singing at some rehearsals with the choir while Bev has been