NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA VOCAL ENSEMBLE
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Blair Bailey, long-time choir master, organist and accompanist in Orillia, was named the new musical director of the Orillia Vocal Ensemble (OVE) following the retirement of founding director Roy Menagh in the spring of 2020.
The restrictions on public gatherings related to COVID-19 precautions effectively curtailed a public concert by the community choir, which had been planned to recognize the enormous contribution of Roy and the formal passing of the baton to Blair.
Thankfully, the choir was able to recognize and thank Roy with a nomination for the Orillia District Arts Council Qennefer Browne Achievement Award. This award recognizes an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of their community, and OVE was thrilled to see Roy become the recipient.
The new OVE director, Blair Bailey, was born and raised in Orillia and has an enviable career in our community, following his graduation in 1984 with a music degree from the University of Toronto. He has been anchored at St. Paul's Centre as organist and music director since shortly after this and, additionally, was artistic director for the Orillia Kiwanis Music Festival for 25 years and has also been the accompanist for the Cellar Singers since 1985.
Blair is also renowned for his productions of musicals, most notably Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat more recently.
No stranger to the Orillia Vocal Ensemble, Blair has routinely filled in as the conductor for rehearsals during times when Roy Menagh was unavailable. Blair, and Mary-Jo Wilson, long-time accompanist for the OVE, are a formidable pair of musicians who are looking forward to working together in the months and years ahead, as are the choir members!
Though choirs are not performing these days, apart from virtual rehearsals and presentations, the OVE is planning a series of workshops for potential new members and current members on choral sight-singing, as a way to introduce potential members to the basics of reading and timing of notes. These workshops will, hopefully, provide some coaching in advance of a return to full rehearsals and public performances at some point in the not-too-distant future.
These workshops will be conducted by both Blair and Mary-Jo in blocks of four weeks, one night per week for an hour and a half, and will cover the basics of reading music and understanding notes, timing, rhythm and pitch. The cost of the four-part workshop is $50 and this includes the textbook that will be used for the instruction. It is anticipated that there will also be virtual opportunities for the fun, convivial, choral singing that the OVE has always treasured.
So, with continuing physical isolation and lockdown of favourite activities, here's an opportunity to have some fun learning a new skill or refreshing your current knowledge. Interested persons are invited to contact the OVE via email at [email protected] to learn more about the activities and mission of the choir.
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