Tucson Symphony Orchestra is performing Handel's "Messiah" this weekend and for Conductor Bruce Chamberlain, it will be a family affair.
His wife Peggy will be in the TSO Chorus, which Chamberlain founded in 2003 and has led since. Son Rob will be on cello and daughter Ellen will play violin.
"It's really only in America that Messiah is a Christmas thing; everywhere else in the world it's an Easter thing," Chamberlain is quick to remind you. But Charles Jennens' libretto — taken from the Bible — delivers a message that easily covers both sacred holidays.
"Jennens' libretto traces the prophesy, legacy and outcome of Christianity. It's just brilliant," Chamberlain said. "Every word in 'Messiah' is biblical; every word is from the Bible."
This weekend's performance marks Chamberlain's 25th time leading "Messiah."
Guest soloists featured in the TSO performance are soprano Teresa Wakim, mezzo-soprano Misty Leah Bermudez, tenor Matthew Chellis and baritone Marcus DeLoach.
The "Messiah" comes as Chamberlain marks a career milestone. Next spring, he will retire from the University of Arizona, where he has led choral activities for the past 18 years, growing the graduate choral conducting program into one of the largest, if not the largest, of its kind in the country. Chamberlain said the program has 23 resident choral conducting graduate students and boasts a "100 percent placement record for graduates."
"If you get your DMA and you want a college teaching job, you get one," he said, noting that students come from throughout the country to study choral conducting at the UA. Graduates have gone on to university jobs and conducting posts; alumni include Eric Holtan, founder and director of True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Tucson's Grammy-nominated professional choir.
Holtan and Chamberlain will reunite when True Concord and the UA Arizona Choir mount Verdi's Requiem at Centennial Hall in February.
Chamberlain will end his 41-year college teaching career in May.
"I have never not gone to school in September since 1955," he said with a laugh. "My mother walked me to the bus stop to catch the bus (in his native New Jersey) and I've gone ever since."
Chamberlain said he will continue directing the TSO Chorus and has guest conducting gigs booked for the next three years in the U.S. and abroad.
