Highs and Lows in the past week for Chorus Niagara

With the start of autumn later on tonight, we are gradually turning our attentions to other activities that involve spending time indoors more than out, especially where the arts are concerned. The Niagara Symphony is less than a couple of weeks away from starting their much-anticipated new season, for example. So, too, will Chorus Niagara in early November.

Chorus Niagara, it is well known, is Niagara's premiere 100-voice strong choir directed by Robert Cooper, and they perform a program of four concerts each season at various locales in and around the Region. In the case of a couple of their performances this coming season, they double the number of performances, due to their popularity in the area, especially at Christmastime with their performances of Handel's oratorio Messiah, for example.

Chorus Niagara made news a couple of times this past week, and it is with mixed feelings I share those with you now. First, the good news: Artistic Director Robert Cooper will receive a prestigious Trillium Award - Established Artist, later this month. Cooper, who has been at the helm of Chorus Niagara since 1989, has seen the performance level of the Chorus rise considerably under his direction, and the choir has doubled in size since he took over. This is a 100-strong voice choir from all walks of life, each devoted to presenting the finest choral music in the Region, and more often than not, they do that year in and year out.

In addition to his duties down here with Chorus Niagara, Dr. Cooper also directs the Orpheus Choir in Toronto and the Opera in Concert Chorus. He has taught in the Choral Department of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and among his most recent projects, he was an adjudicator this past summer at the World Choral Games in Shaozing, China. Who knew?

I have had the pleasure of knowing Bob for many years during my association as a sponsor and fan of Chorus Niagara, and have always found him to be an honest, genuine soul who simply loves to share his passion for great choral music. Almost without exception, his appearances with Chorus Niagara are educational, entertaining and very creative. This is a richly-deserved award, and I know Bob shares the honour with his colleagues within the ranks of Chorus Niagara. In the press release issued to announce the award, Mr. Cooper states: "It really is an acknowledgement of Chorus Niagara's growing stature and presence in the community, for which I must thank the many, many singers who have devoted so much time to our organization's success...we are collective recipients." Thank you, Bob, for all your music making with Chorus Niagara!

The sad news that came out on the heals of that announcement was the fact a long-standing member of the Chorus, Rowland Lampard, known to everyone simply as Roy, passed away late last week of a heart attack while out for a morning ride on his bike. Roy, married for many years to Peggy, another member of the Chorus, and father to a son and daughter as well as a loving grandfather to their children had been singing with the Chorus for as long as I can remember.

This was really a shock to everyone who knew him, as he always appeared to be in good health and living his retirement years to the fullest. Being a member of Chorus Niagara meant that after the performances, the men in the Chorus would have to tear down the stage and bleachers and lug them out to the truck. I remember many a time over the years seeing Roy right in the thick of it, sans tuxedo jacket but fully dressed otherwise, lugging the heavy bleachers and things along with everyone else. He seemed the picture of health.

But more than that, his outlook on life and how he interacted with those around him made him a special person to know. I had the pleasure of serving Roy and Peggy as customers of my music business, A Web of Fine Music, a few times over the years, and his enthusiasm and love of music was quite infectious. He was a gentleman, and caring soul, and someone you would consider yourself lucky to be acquainted with.

Roy will certainly be missed, and his passing will certainly hang over the Chorus as they prepare for the coming season. But he would want them to continue on, and that they will come November. For now, though, we'll all gather at his beloved St. Thomas' Anglican Church in downtown St. Catharines at 11 am on Saturday, October 2nd for a memorial service. It will be a musical affair to be sure, but it would be even nicer knowing he were there singing that day, too.

Our condolences go out to Peggy and the rest of the family on the loss of such a gentleman. Roy will be sorely missed.

September 22nd, 2010.