Article from NS Choral Federation Newsletter "CHORUS" Volume 31

Bedford Singers Celebrates 25 Years in Song

By Leslie Ann Stephen

Bedford Singers celebrated 25 years of making choral music with a spectacular performance of the Mozart Requiem in May 2007, under the sensitive artistry of conductor, Elisabeth Manteuffel.  Featured guest artists included members of Symphony Nova Scotia; vocal soloists, Frances Farrell, Nancy Denton-Peck, John Lindsay-Botten and Ross Thompson.  The gifted Dean Bradshaw, rehearsal and concert accompanist, provided additional accompaniment on the pipe organ. 
It would not be an understatement to say that Bedford Singers have evolved considerably since their modest beginnings in 1982.  What began as wishful thinking around a kitchen table in Bedford, among a group of ladies who simply wanted to sing, has culminated into a highly polished four-part choir.  From the beginning each director, and there have been four in the choir’s history, selected a repertoire that both challenged the singers, and provided them with a solid choral learning experience, all the while continuing to nurture a growing audience base.  Each year saw the presentation of two choral concerts, one at Christmas and one in the spring.
Bedford Singers is most fortunate in having the services of Elisabeth Manteuffel as director, a job that she assumed in 1995.  Under her leadership the choir has continued to flourish.  Ms. Manteuffel, pianist, teacher, and resident organist and choir director of Bedford United Baptist church, already possesses a considerable base of choral experience.  She has taken advantage of every opportunity to expand her own knowledge base through voice lessons, choir camps, and workshops offered across the country.  She recently participated at the National Choral Conductor’s Symposium, given by Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.  She has also continued to serve as a piano adjudicator at the Annapolis Valley Music Festival.  She regularly attends Festival 500, an international choral symposium and festival, occurring bi-annually, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Most recently she received her Master of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University.  Elisabeth’s greatest gift to the choir is her singular ability to travel far beyond the mere learning of individual parts but to delve deeply into the heart of the music to produce a highly personal interpretation.  This unassuming, modest woman has taken charge of the 50 voices in a gently assertive manner.  Rehearsals are extremely well organized, always beginning with an effective and at times entertaining “warm-up”, followed by very disciplined and focused work, always ending on a lighter note.
Ms. Manteuffel is constantly seeking additional opportunities to expose the group to new choral experiences.  In the spring of 2006 the choir was pleased to host the University of Alberta Concert Choir, under the direction of Debra Cairns and share in a season finale.  Each fall the members also look forward to a choral retreat at Oak Island Inn in Mahone Bay to jumpstart the group into the upcoming year’s repertoire.  This retreat includes choral training by a vocal clinician and small group instruction in voice and theory.
The choir now presents three concerts annually, which usually feature an array of soloists and guests.  These have included Scotia Brass, members of Symphony Nova Scotia; Halifax Baroque Ensemble; Cheryl O’Hagan, harp; Angela Phi, flute; Jubilee Quartet; and Michael Scott, percussion.  The annual Christmas Concert, performed at two locations, is a varied production consisting of highly polished choral selections, audience participation, and guest artists.   The popular “Dessert Cabaret and Silent Auction” has become a regular crowd pleaser, and features the talents of many of the individual singers performing an eclectic variety of selections, within the cozy and intimate setting of a cabaret.  The audience is also treated to refreshments, served by the members themselves.   The third concert of the season is frequently based on a theme, around which Elisabeth selects a repertoire.
This brings us to the here and now!  The presentation of the Mozart Requiem was clearly a defining moment in the history of the choir.  This was an extremely ambitious work, which required an immense amount of preparation and planning both on the part of the Elisabeth and Dean, but also intense practice and rehearsal by all members.  The successful performance was due in large part to the enormous amount of faith that Elisabeth had in the members, as well their growing self-confidence to tackle more complex music.   This year the choir looks forward to another exciting season!  Among the highlights will be a December performance of Handel’s Messiah as well as  a highly anticipated choral exchange in April, 2008, with the Cantabile Singers of Truro, under the direction of Ross Thompson.  All that can be said at present is that the audience will enjoy a program of choral variety and versatility!  
Bedford Singers has enjoyed generous support from a variety of sources.  The annual “Dessert Cabaret and Silent Auction has become a major fundraiser through generous audience participation.  The choir also boasts significant financial support through effective ad campaigns, reflected in the concert programs as well as donations from the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.  All of this financial support allows the group considerable latitude to pursue new choral projects.  Not to be forgotten is the long list of volunteers, both within and outside the choir, who contribute long hours to ensure the choir’s continued success.  Without that high level of dedication the choir could not exist!
Despite all the hard word and community involvement, significant challenges still exist.  One is the continual shortage of good voices, particularly in the male sections.  Tenors always seem to be in great demand!  The name, “Bedford Singers” in no way implies that members must reside in Bedford.  The group boasts a membership from all over the Halifax area and there are even some who are so keen that they come from areas outside HRM!  Ideally, the qualities that Elisabeth would be looking for in prospective choristers would be some musical background, the ability to sing in tune and blend within a section, and most importantly, the desire to faithfully attend all the rehearsals.