MUSIC HAS been flowing through the veins of one veteran choir singer for more than 70 years – and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
John Whyman, 92, is one of the longest serving members of the choir at St Chad’s Saddleworth and even arranges his holidays so he never misses a service.
And he still remembers the day he was picked out in 1953 to join the benches at the front.
“Duncan Rhodes’s dad died and there was a space in the stalls suddenly,” said the father of two.
“Albert Hardy, the organist, looked around then pointed at me and told me to take Mr Rhodes’s place. I’ve been there ever since!”
John, who is a Normandy Star veteran, joined his first choir at Oldham Hulme Grammar seven decades ago under the eye of music master Noel Walton, brother of composer Sir William Walton.
“Everyone know Mr Walton picked you out for your voice – and he picked me so I was pleased,” said John who lives in Uppermill.
“I started to learn the violin at Hulme too and played with the orchestra for plays and at speech days. Those were happy days musically.”
His hobby continued when he moved to St John’s College in York, where he met life-long friend and fellow violinist Frank Mann.
“I went to auditions for the orchestra and a young chap sat down next to me with a violin,” explained John. “I introduced myself and we’ve been friend ever since.”
Frank, 93 who visits John regularly from Bournemouth, even played the organ at John’s wedding to Ruth and later at her funeral in 2010.
Music-lover John still plays the organ every day on the instrument he has in a special alcove in his living room – driven all the way from the Lake District.
“I saw the organ at a huge discount and couldn’t leave without it,” said the former headmaster of Littlemoor School. “I still really enjoy playing and always will.”
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