Promoting Male VoicesThe organ in Birks car park
Last Wednesday afternoon, I was minding my own business taking in a few rays on my upper deck. Suddenly a pipe organ played, sounding close enough to be at the bottom of my garden – my lower deck. We were transported to the fairground. I looked over the fence and there it was in the back of a van.
Going north, we are more used to travelling to Wensleydale and Swaledale, but Wharfedale is good too. Bound for Ilkley, a lovely small town, home of the King\’s Hall, which was opened in 1908 as town hall, library and theatre. The Winter Garden was added in 1914.
Ged Faricy used to be a tenor with New Mill MVC, a soloist no less. He now lives in Ilkley and has started a men’s choir known as ‘Sing Your Rocks Off’. He and his choir kindly invited us to sing with them at the King’s Hall last Saturday night. A charity fund-raiser for Spinal Research. And enjoyable it was.
In my view New Mill was competent and workmanlike under the guidance of Elizabeth and Sue.
Roger Davies was great.
‘Sing Your Rocks Off’ was a revelation. Some of their singing was raw, some smooth and accomplished, and there were the inevitable sketchy moments. Entertaining, amusing and moving nevertheless. Especially moving when the unaccompanied voices soared and whispered in turn, catching the mood of the pieces. I don’t know what their longer term aim is, but they could become much more than a bunch of blokes having a sing, as long as they don’t lose that raw edge.
Thanks to Rob Shelton, who sponsored the concert and who suffers from spinal injury. He is an active trustee of the Spinal Research charity,
Clic on the links to hear how they perform
Telegraph review – \”I never thought someone like me could be successful\”
Lieder came first and then jazz singer
Georgia on My Mind – utube
and tutor – utube
and unsurprisingly with great photographs – My Way
Try out this new venture – an audio file about stuff of local musical interest. The first attempt finished before the audio was complete. This is version 2.
It is not the final quality we would like, but you have to start somewhere. Hopefully we can improve and do some more.
Click on the link to hear the article in full – Male voices in the Holme Valley
Take your life in your hands and click on the following link. Compiled by older brother Steve. We love it.
