Women's chorus conductor bids farewell

Julie Druker | Jun 04, 2015

May 31st was a bittersweet day for Betty Wagner, the longtime leader of the 28 member Frontenac Women's Chorus (FWC). She was conducting the chorus at a concert titled “Thank You for the Music” her final concert with the group. Over 100 listeners attended the concert a the Grace Centre in Sydenham. It was a lively and heartfelt celebration marking the groups 20 year anniversary.

The FWC was founded by Jennifer Bennett in 1995 and led by her until 2001 when she passed the reins over to Wagner. Wagner recently announced that she will be stepping down after her 14-year run with the group who have performed regularly in and around Frontenac County. Wagner, who has a bachelor's degree in music from Queen's University, has been singing and playing since she was five years old and has taught voice and piano for 35 years in and around Kingston. She has sung with many world renowned conductors and is now stepping down to be able to spend more time with her family.

She said that her role as conductor has been to help the choir to successfully “convey the messages in the songs they perform. I encourage the singers to listen to what the music says because it tells them exactly what the composer and the lyricist had in mind.”

The Grace Centre was a fitting location for the finale because is also where she conducted her first concert with the choir 14 years ago and its high ceilings make it the perfect acoustic venue for the 28 accomplished singers. Wagner praised the hall for its unique acoustics and called it “one of the best in Canada”.

She said prior to the concert that when South Frontenac Community Services took over the building and were considering installing baffles in the hall during renovations, she encouraged them to preserve its acoustic integrity. Sunday's concert proved that their decision to keep it as is was the right one.

The singers performed a lively programme that included classical, pop, jazz and blue grass tunes. They opened with a song titled “To the Goddess”, an original piece composed by Jennifer Bennett with text by local flautist Anne Archer. The group sang a gorgeous rendition of Irving Berlin's “Blue Skies” proving that these ladies can swing with the best of them and choir member Suzanne Regan's impressive scat solo was a highlight. Choir member Patty Smith sang the solo in “Song for the Mira” proving that she has impressive vocal chops. More importantly for the choir, she also possesses musicality, liveliness, and openness, which will stand her in good stead as she takes over the baton from Wagner.

A trained singer and voice teacher, Smith graduated from Humber College's jazz vocal program many years ago and later received her bachelors of music and teaching degree from Queen's University. Currently she is teaching voice at St. Lawrence College in their music and digital media program which she said she loves.

She jumped at the chance to take over the reigns when Wagner offered her the position last year and has been singing with the FWC since January as their new conductor in training.

Smith praised the group of singers and said she has been warmly welcomed. “It's been like landing in a group of ready-made friends,” she said. She said that she has some new ideas for the group and suggested the possibility of performing Simon and Garfunkel's "Baby Driver" and John Denver's "Starry Starry Night". While the group is no doubt sad to see Wagner depart, they are also looking forward to exploring the new musical horizons that Smith has to offer.

Patty Smith will be conducting her first concert with the group at their annual 2015 Christmas concert that will take place at the Bellrock hall on Saturday, November 28.