As part of Carrière's career, he has composed and arranged more than 75 Stratford productions, received two Dora Awards for musical direction and a special Guthrie Award tribute for his contribution to Canadian theatre at large. In 2001 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2003 he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

"Bert has been intensely dedicated to the Stratford Festival throughout his career and will be greatly missed," stated general director Antoni Cimolino. "There could be no finer successor to Bert Carrière as director of music than Rick Fox, both for his experience as a musician and his dedication to the festival."

Carrière will continue his association with the festival, serving as music director and conductor of The Music Man in 2008 and "intends to be involved for years to come as a composer and conductor," according to the Stratford, Ontario festival.

Fox takes over the position on Nov. 1. Currently the musical director on Toronto's We Will Rock You, Fox served as musical director-conductor on the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings in Toronto; the Canadian premieres of The Producers, The Lion King, Rent, The Who's Tommy and The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto; and Rent and Blood Brothers in New York. His composing credits include music for CBC radio dramas, numerous stage plays and the TV series "Nilus the Sandman." Fox will serve as music director and conductor of the Stratford Festival's Cabaret in 2008.

For more information about the world-renowned Straford Festival, visit www.stratfordfestival.ca.