For the first time in 25 years, Chorfest, the provincial choir confederation conference, hosted by the Prince George Cantata Singers, will be held in Prince George this weekend.
For the last time Les Dala, conductor of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, will perform Sunday at the Civic Centre during the O is for Opera concert where hundreds of choristers will come together in song.
Life is full of endings and beginnings and this is no different.
Dala, who began with the local symphony in 2003 will be moving on to conduct the Vancouver Bach Choir, among many other conducting opportunities.
"I'm kind of in a year of transition where everything is sort of happening at once," said Dala. "It's been very full and colourful and will continue to be. There is never a dull moment."
Dala said he really learned the craft of conducting during his tenure with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra. He credits his colleagues in the orchestra as well as the board of directors and administration at the PGSO with helping him to learn about what it takes to make a symphony work.
"I can't quite believe this is my last concert with the orchestra," said Dala. "You know, when times were dark it seemed to go very slowly and I was thinking 'Oh my God, are we going to make it to the next concert?' sort of thing but in retrospect the entire time has flown by. Eight years and eight seasons is not that much time and yet when you think about everything that happens in that time -- there's so much. All the concerts, all the projects, all the planning -- I'm going to miss that a lot actually."
The symphony administration, board and musicians are truly sad to see him go.
"It is indeed a bittersweet occasion as Maestro Dala takes the podium for his final concert as music director of the PGSO," said Ruth Langner, PGSO general manager.
"Les's leadership has taken the orchestra to new heights and as we say farewell with appreciation for all he has done, we wish Les a bright and brilliant career and know that we can say, we knew him when..."
As Dala leaves the symphony, there will be a new conductor chosen through a lengthy and carefully orchestrated process. There will be a whole new season of concerts next year where each of seven hopefuls will be conducting one concert. The community, board members and the symphony members will all have a chance to see each conductor in their element and the final decision will be made at the end of the season.
Dala pointed out that he was not surprised about the number of great applicants that applied for the position.
"Whoever ends up winning the position I think the orchestra will be in very, very good hands," said Dala. "It's a changing of the guard and that's an especially good thing particularly for an artistic organization to always be shaking it up and moving along."
As for Dala's future, he is now working with the UBC Opera Ensemble, later in the summer he will be in Banff to conduct a new opera, and then he will be back conducting the Vancouver Symphony during the opening night gala of Music Fest Vancouver with special guest soloist Sarah McLachlin in August. Dala will also be conducting the Vancouver Opera production of West Side Story in October at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Dala's last performance with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, with special guest soprano Sarah Kirsch, is Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Tickets are at Studio 2880 or at the door. Adults are $32, seniors are $25, and under 25 are $22 each. For more information call 250-562-0800 or visit www.pgso.com or www.pgcantatasingers.ca.
