Rand Reeves has been conducting the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society for 22 years. On Sunday, May 20, he will wave his baton a final time at Skidmore College’s Zankel Music Center at 3 p.m. for a much anticipated concert event.
A 43-piece orchestra will accompany the chorus, which will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” a Romantic era piece. Keith Kibler of Williamstown, Mass., will sing the title role and will be supported by soloists Ann Agresta Dugan, Susan Hermance Fedak, Deborah Savoy and Derek Stannard.
“This work is one that draws people who know the repertoire,” said Reeves.
The society was founded 41 years ago by Dr. Glen Soellner, who at one time brought Reeves on as a soloist. Reeves, 62, has fond memories of his position with the chorus through its many changes over the years, and of guiding its members in fulfilling its mission: “To present public performances of the master works of choral music and, thereby, provide a meaningful experience for audiences and performers alike.”
“The gratifying thing is to see how the group has grown and how we’ve matured,” he said.
Initially, the chorus had 60 singers and performed two concerts annually. At a time when the society wasn’t perhaps as it is now, Reeves played a major role in strengthening its board of directors and the group’s longevity as a whole. Today, the chorus is made up of 105 singers.
Pedro Aviles of Rotterdam has been with the chorus as a first tenor for 15 years and said, “Rand really is excellent, even if you are kind of new in the game … he’s very good at getting a phenomenal sound out of (our) group. … The quality of the music, even though it was excellent then, it’s better now and his reputation has spread.”
Aviles added that many singers who haven’t been with the group for several years will be singing in the final concert, because Reeves “is who he is.”
Niskayuna resident Ann Tetrault has been with the chorus since1985. Part of what she wrote about Reeves in a memory book about the chorus reads, “Under his baton, the chorus grew by leaps and bounds and joy became the operative word, everybody was having such a good time – singing things that we loved to sing under a man that gave everything he had and more.
The Society also hosts a mentoring program for interested high school students in the area, who are welcome to join the chorus in concert when feasible.
“We feel that it’s important to encourage young singers, give them an experience that will excite them,” said Reeves.
His love and knowledge of music comes from an extensive background that includes attending the Columbus Boychoir School in Princeton, N.J., and later earning degrees from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and Colorado State University. In addition, he has directed church choirs since the mid 1908s, most recently at Saratoga Methodist Church.
Reeves won’t be leaving his chosen career altogether. He plans to complete some projects he’s had “in the works” as well as continuing his business as a professional piano restorer. He has operated The Piano Place from his workshop in Ballston Spa since 1974.
Reeves said he is pleased at where the group is now and is excited to be succeeded by Associate Director Susan Hermance Fedak.
Tickets to the May 20 concert are $20 and can be ordered from members, online at www.BHOS.us, by phone373-8179 or at the door. A $3 refund is available at the door with a 2011Saratoga Arts Pass.