The quality of the voices this year “is just wonderful,” said musical director Ed Retzer in describing the talent that will be featured at this year’s Northwest/Southeast Chorus Christmas concerts.
“We’re down a few in numbers, but the quality is definitely high,” said the veteran director who is completing his 19th year at the helm of the international chorus that features vocalists and musicians from Saskatchewan and North Dakota.
The combined choir of 48 singers plus accompanists and the Cross Border ensemble, will be featured in two concerts, the first being in Estevan on the night of Dec. 6 at St. Paul’s United Church at 7 p.m. and then again in Crosby, N.D. on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7, beginning at 4 o’clock.
“We’re down about five to seven members, I’m not sure why, except I know a few of them said they just couldn’t physically do it any more. You have to be standing for a long time and some were getting older. The director is getting older, too,” he added with a laugh, during a telephone conversation from his Crosby home.
“We’re also dealing with adults here, I presume many of them are very busy and some just too busy,” he said, but was quick to add that the time commitment for rehearsals has never been cited as a reason for quitting the chorus, even though rehearsals begin on the first Tuesday following Labour Day and continue at a pace of one per week right up to the concert dates.
“The time commitment has never been an issue for them. They know what is done, and it’s impressive. Even when the weather has been difficult, they’ve made it to rehearsals,” he said, referring to the weekly sessions in Crosby.
Retzer shares the director’s duties with well-known North Dakota singer/musician Harlan Johnson who will also be taking a lead vocal role in this year’s production entitled O Come All Ye Faithful.
“When Harlan directs, that gives me an opportunity to sing then,” said Retzer, noting that he loves that role, too, taking his position among the bass voices that he said are a little thin in numbers this year, “but still very powerful.”
Principal piano accompanist is Danielle Evenson of Estevan while Vickie Lee of Crosby is secondary accompanist. This year’s concert will also feature trumpet stylings from Estevan’s Shauna Meek.
Retzer said sharing the directorship with Johnson also gives the chorus an opportunity to “make it roll in other ways.”
Asked if he was committed to the unpaid task of leading the chorus for awhile yet, Retzer joked by suggesting that on occasion he wondered why he was directing a group of singers instead of “ being in a bar somewhere,” but then turned serious and added that “when I started this, I thought 15 to 20 years would be the maximum, the right time and then it’s time for someone else to take it on.”
He is now close to that self-imposed deadline.
But with the talent he’s in front of this year, the veteran concertmaster is more than happy to continue in that role.
“There is no weakness in the chorus this year, it’s very well balanced in terms of vocal ranges and vocal strength. We have always had a few new voices and personalities join us, and I’m always excited about having talented people come forward and be a part of this. We’ve lost very talented people from both communities over the years, and we’ve gained some very talented people. That makes it very interesting.”
This will be the 44th annual concert for this internationally combined team of choristers.
