OKC chorus is saying goodbye to its longtime conductor with his favorite things

Based on a biblical story of epic proportions, "Elijah," Felix Mendelssohn's 1846 masterwork for chorus, solo singers and orchestra, has been hailed as the “oratorio to end all oratorios."

"There's a reason for that. He did all that great quoting of Handel and Bach but then put his own kind of Romantic (period) spin on it," said Jennifer Coffman, who will be the alto soloist for Canterbury Voices' Oct. 9 performance of "Elijah" at Civic Center Music Hall.

"There's really something for everyone in the entirety of the work ... so everyone should come see it," added soprano soloist Courtney McPhail, ahead of a recent Canterbury Voices rehearsal.

Between a poignant goodbye and an exciting national honor, such a spectacular musical drama seems a fitting start to Oklahoma's premier symphonic chorus' 2022-2023 season, which will be the farewell season for Canterbury Voices' longtime artistic director, Randi Von Ellefson. 

Since Ellefson also serves as the director of choral activities for Oklahoma City University, Canterbury Voices and OCU soon will embark on a national search for his successor in the dual roles — and a new national honor should help raise the profile of the upcoming job opening. In September, Canterbury Voices received The American Prize for Choral Performance in the national organization's community division.

"It's an awfully good way to go out," said Ellefson, who took on the shared position in 2004. "It's such an honor. It's really great, but the real thing is that it recognizes the consistent work of everybody who's been in Canterbury."

Since Ellefson is the longest tenured artistic director in Canterbury's more than 50-year history, Executive Director Pam Mowry said he deserves a lot of credit for the award.

"We are just over the moon ... but it's really a bittersweet year in a lot of ways, because he's been with us for so long. It's great to see him go on to the next chapter in his life, and he deserves to retire. But it's also one of those things where we don't want to see him go," she said.

"This season was handpicked by Randi. He knew he was retiring ... and he chose his favorite things."

Here's a look at what Canterbury Voices is planning for Ellefson's farewell season. For tickets and information, go to https://canterburyokc.com. 

1. 'Elijah'

When and where: 3 p.m. Oct. 9, Civic Center.

A collaboration with choirs from OCU, the concert also will showcase the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Canterbury Youth Voices and soloists Jennifer Coffman, Courtney McPhail, David Grogan and Steven Sanders.

"This is my 45th year of teaching, and once we made it through the pandemic, I just felt like it was the right time to retire. ... I wanted to go out with a great work, and I've always loved 'Elijah,'" Ellefson said. "I've only conducted it once before; I've prepared it several times for other conductors. But that's one of the great things about this position is that I get to do the conducting and see the fruition of all the work."

Canterbury Voices is opening its season with a semi-staged production of "Elijah" featuring staging by Michael Baron, Lyric Theatre's producing artistic director.

"I always look forward to it all coming together ... and Randi always meets all of us where we're at," McPhail said. "Not only is he just super knowledgeable of choral music and all of the works that we do, but he just really knows how to work with people."

2. 'Canterbury Christmas'

When and where: 7 p.m. Dec. 4, Civic Center.

An Oklahoma City holiday tradition, "Canterbury Christmas" will brighten the season with joyful yuletide songs, along with a visit from Santa Claus and carols performed in the Civic Center lobby. The concert also will include a couple of audience sing-alongs, which have become a beloved aspect of the performance.

The program will include John Rutter’s triumphant "Gloria," Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson's familiar cartoon carol "Christmas Time Is Here," Dan Forrest's jolly "Christmas Joy" and more.

Along with Canterbury Voices' adult chorus, the concert will feature soloists Aubrey Chapin and Rod Porter, Canterbury Youth Voices Cantabile and members of the OKC Philharmonic and Canterbury Chamber Voices.

"We're doing large works for chorus and brass, so, again, different repertoire, new to us, and some familiar pieces. ... So, I think it'll have a big variety," Ellefson said. "Again, one of our children's choirs will be there singing, and we always love to get them involved."

3. Dave Brubeck’s 'To Hope! A Celebration'

When and where: 7:30 p.m. March 9, Civic Center.

For Ellefson's final concert at the Civic Center, Canterbury Voices will revisit the late, legendary jazz musician and composer's celebratory mass, which the OKC chorus previously presented in 2007.

"Very early on in my career here, we brought Dave Brubeck himself and his quartet, and we did his wonderful, positive piece ... that premiered at the National Cathedral in Washington. And it was so great to have him here: humble man, fantastic musician. The next year after that, he won the Kennedy Center Honors," Ellefson recalled.

Brubeck died on Dec. 5, 2012, the day before his 92nd birthday, but his legacy will live on at the OKC concert. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet — Brubeck's sons Chris Brubeck, a bassist, trombonist and composer, and Dan Brubeck, a drummer, along with Chuck Lamb on piano and Mike DeMicco on guitar — will perform with Canterbury Voices.

The nonprofit arts organization received a $10,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant to fund the spring concert, which also will feature the OKC Philharmonic and soloists Scott Guthrie, Emily Wilkinson and Eric Hamilton.

4. 'Crescendo'

When and where: 6:30 p.m. May 18, Oklahoma History Center.

An add-on concert to the season subscription and fundraising event for Canterbury Voices' programs, the second annual "Crescendo" will be Ellefson's last performance as the chorus' artistic director and conductor. It also will be a celebration of his time with Canterbury Voices and include festive music, food and cocktails.

"I think my favorite part is still hearing from people that sang in choirs and their remembrances of particular concerts.  Now, of course, I'm hearing about their children who are in college choirs and how their parents are still playing cassette tapes for them of old Christmas concerts. I think that's very rewarding," Ellefson said.

"Making music is a joy. There are things about making music that are not a joy — the administrative work or keeping track of grades ... I wouldn't say that that's the most joyous thing I do — but making music does bring you joy and keeps you very alive."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Canterbury Voices readies to say goodbye to conductor with season