A SPECIAL concert saw Saddleworth Male Voice Choir join harmonies with Saddleworth Singers Ladies Choir for the first time to round off their fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity.
The Male Voice Choir brought down the curtain down on 12 months of supporting the charity with a roof-raising concert at Christ Church, Friezland on March 16.
The choir, Saddleworth Singers and guest organist Simon Mercer entertained a packed church and the evening raised more than £1,000 for the charity thanks to ticket proceeds and a raffle.
Kerry Roe-Ely, community fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity, attended the concert and was presented with a cheque for £3,400, the total raised by the Male Voice Choir during the year.
The evening was opened by Saddleworth Male Voice Choir, led by musical director Dorian Kelly and accompanied by Louise Brennan, with It’s A Grand Night For Singing.
They then sang a varied selection from their repertoire including Unchained Melody, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, Crossing the Bar and Gwahoddiad.
Saddleworth Singers, under the guidance of musical director Hilary Henderson and accompanied by Rachael Gibbon, also performed an eclectic programme.
Their pieces including The Lord Is My Shepherd, Kuimba accompanied by Hilary playing a djembe drum, Seal Lullaby, Skyfall and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
And the two choirs took the stage together to sing Fields of Gold and a rousing rendition of The Rhythm Of Life to end the night.
Saddleworth Singers described it as a dream come true to perform with Saddleworth Male Voice Choir as it is an historical achievement in their journey.
Hilary commented: “I was delighted to have been invited by the MVC to join them at a very special charitable event.
“I felt the choirs complimented each other for the joined songs and there was a real sense of respect and celebration between us too.
“It is good to see quality singing coming together in the true spirit of ‘community’ in Saddleworth. Friezland Church made everyone feel so welcome too.
“I think Kuimba will be hard not to repeat at the Singers’ summer concert where we hope to further entertain the audience at the Civic Hall with an eclectic mix of genre.”
Rachael added: “The two choirs sang well together in the joint items and it would be good in the future to do another concert where all the items are joint.”
• Saddleworth Male Voice Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and welcomes new members. For more information, call Maurice Stanley: 0161 330 8831.
• Saddleworth Singers rehearses on Tuesday evenings and has space for Altos or second sopranos. Please ring Sylvie on 07776 454440 if you are interested in joining.
You must be logged in to post a comment.