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Three choirs and a band triumph at Sheffield Cathedral

June 10, 2018 – 10:34 am

by Dave Walker, 10th June 2018 $Great audience and stunning venue for Mark Rotchell\'s memorial concert$

informal moments as the choirs prepare for the rehearsal

Traditional fare last night at Sheffield Cathedral, performed with control and passion in memory of Mark Rotchell, Chairman of Worrall MVC. The pick for many was Highland Cathedral by Loxley, its percussion section and three guest pipers. Pic of Alan and the choirs courtesy of Anne Lane.

Happy memories of our previous appearance here as guests of Worrall. And what about the time we sang with Brighouse and Rastrict at Cutler\’s Hall? Tony Capstick compered, up until he was gently guided into his dressing room for being, frankly, blathered.

The cathedral has been refurbished with new floor and pews. Magnificent acoustics. Inspiring occasion – best wishes to Mark\’s family.

By DA Walker | Posted in previous posts | Comments (0)

Swinglo sings with massed male voice choir at Huddersfield Town Hall

May 28, 2018 – 9:21 am

$Concert in aid of Alzheimer\'s disease organised by Norman Mellor at Huddersfield Town Hall$

Thankfully our supporters loved the concert. I was drenched with sweat at the end and felt like a sardine. Colne Valley were in Loyds TSB suits – goodness knows how they felt.

Black Dyke are amazing technically. The James Bond sequence was great and their final piece truly brilliant though I couldn\’t hear the title as their MD was facing the audience. The percussion section was enchanting.

Our two conductors were good (Tom Meredith, Steven Roberts) as were the pianists.

Sadly we also couldn\’t hear Sarah Ogden, but from behind she looked great.

Our changing room was up amongst the rafters.

Concert organised by Norman Mellor who was as imposing and larger than life as ever.

The massed choir repertoire was old-fashioned male voice which made a refreshing change from some of New Mill\’s more modern stuff.

Tom Ashworth, fresh from his blog success with Shallilo, has sneaked into a couple of the pics – very relaxed with his hands in his pockets. Roger from Honley is prominent, as our tenors in the far corner. Thanks to Ann with an \’e\’ Lane for the full frontal view.

I forgot my white shirt and had to forgo some of the rehearsal whilst I went to Next for a replacement. It was, after all, a concert for Alzheimer\’s disease research.

New Mill MVC are guests of \’Sing Your Rocks Off\’ at King\’s Hall, Ilkley

April 17, 2018 – 10:20 am

$New Mill MVC joined ilkley\'s latest choir, \'Sing Your Rocks Off\'$

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

New Mill MVC and \’Sing Your Rocks Off\’ audiovisual 1

New Mill MVC and \’Sing Your Rocks Off\’ audiovisual 2

By DA Walker | Posted in previous posts | Also tagged audio/video | Comments (0)

Another good concert, but just look at those cream teas at 11 o\’clock in the morning

May 15, 2017 – 4:42 pm

St Andrew\’s Church, Scarborough.

Another first class choir performance and the Manhattan girls were good too.

The following morning, look who I discovered at the Clock Cafe?

By DA Walker | Posted in previous posts | Comments (0)

Three choirs at Wakefield Cathedral

April 30, 2017 – 9:04 am

Whether they sang alone or together, the three choirs gave their all.

The well-organised and supportive helpers, the venue and our professionals let the singers blossom in one of the best concerts I\’ve sung in.

A privilege.

By DA Walker | Posted in previous posts | Comments (0)

Another triumph at The Town Hall

April 3, 2017 – 11:45 am

Alan went well, Emma serene,
Choir superb, cat with the cream.
Oh Joy, how they loved us,
From Dixie to Carrickfergus.
That audience so sweet,
Their enjoyment complete.
Jeff introduced us all – legato,
For Trilogy he joined the tenors, in\’t front row.
Evans \’the opera\’ as they say in Wales,
Big red dragon size, he tops the scales.
He\’s funny too, despite his rear view.
Wynne a word not often heard down the WRU.
\’I don\’t sell insurance,\’ he cried.
I think he could if he tried.