Saddleworth is the collective name for several picturesque villages in the Pennine Hills on the Yorkshire / Lancashire border. Always part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it became administered by Oldham in Greater Manchester, in the 1974 local government reorganisation. Being very proud of its distinct separate identity, Saddleworth Parish Council was formed in the same year, its logo including the inscription 'In the County of York'. The historical rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire, sometimes humorously acknowledged by choir members who come from both sides of the border, is laid to rest in the choir's badge which incorporates both White and Red roses.

The local population supports a great wealth of amateur musical activity, including operatic societies, choral groups and brass bands as well as the male voice choir.

The choir has made two T.V. appearances, including a BBC "Songs of Praise" recorded around Saddleworth, shown in June 2000. There have also been several recordings, and radio broadcasts, the most recent of which was in February 2003, for the BBC’s “Sunday Half Hour” programme. As part of the desire to continually improve performance standards, there are regular entries into choral competitions. Over the years, musical festival trophies include Hazel Grove, Huddersfield, Macclesfield, Blackpool, Blackburn, Biddulph, Penistone, Southport, Eskdale (Whitby), Don Valley (won for 5 years in succession), and the Manchester Amateur Coral Competition.

The present Musical Director is Damian Cunningham who took over in April 1997. His enthusiasm and commitment have contributed greatly to the choir's achievements. We are also fortunate to have two very talented accompanists, Sylvia Hoare and Scott Woolfenden.

Concerts are performed locally and further afield and the choir presents its own concerts twice yearly at Saddleworth Civic Hall in Uppermill with a variety of guests including leading soloists, folk groups and brass bands, the latter having included several household names over the years. Each December the choir is augmented by about 45 ladies to form a large mixed chorus for an annual performance of Handel's Messiah, with professional soloists and orchestra, at Saddleworth Civic Hall.

Exchange visits with other choirs have taken SMVC to Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Germany, North and East Yorkshire, Holland, Slovenia and most recently Spain and Gibraltar, and Italy.

SMVC ARCHIVE
[COMPETITIONS & FESTIVALS]

1957 Hazel Grove.
MVC Class: 2nd place. Test Pieces: Skye Boat Song, Come Landlord Fill.
1957 Holmfirth.

1958 Hazel Grove.
MVC Class: 3rd Place. Test Pieces: O Mistress Mine, The Two Grenadiers.
1958 Eccles [3rd May].
MVC class: 2nd Prize.
1958 Blackpool.
Test Pieces: Rest, The Two Grenadiers.

1959 Lytham.
MVC Class: 2nd Place. Test Pieces: The Two Grenadiers, With A Voice of Singing.
1959 Colne.

1961 Southport.
1961 Blackpool.

1962 Huddersfield (‘The Mrs Sunderland Music Festival’).
Certificate of Merit.
1962 Holmfirth [20th October].
MVC Class. Test Piece: Hymn Before Action.
1962 Turton.

1964 Blackpool [24th October].

1966 Fleetwood [17th September].
MVC Class. Test Piece: Soldiers Chorus. Own Choice: My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose.

1967 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland)’ [18th February].
MVC Class B: 2nd Prize. Test Piece: She is my Slender Small Love. Own Choice: Polly Perkins.
1967 Morecambe. MVC Class (open): 3rd Prize.
1967 Macclesfield [21st October].
1967 Eccles [28th October].

1968 Nelson [6th April].
1968 Lytham [27th April].
1968 Chester [18th May].
1968 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class B: 1st Prize.
1968 Southport [5th October].
MVC Class. Test Piece (Own Choice): Polly Perkins. Rose Bowl: 3rd Prize.
[N.B.1968: 5 competitions: One 1st, Two 2nd, & One 3rd Prizes]

1969 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).

1972 Morecambe.
MVC Class (under 40 voices). Test piece: Ruddier than the cherry/Deep River & Own Choice.
Only 2 Choirs Barrow WMC & SMVC. Winner: Barrow.

1973 Southport.
MVC Class. Test Piece: A Smugglers Song. Own Choice: By the Sea.
Placings: 1st Nelson Arian, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Nelson Excelsior.

1976 Macclesfield.
MVC Class: 1st Prize & Rose Bowl. Test Piece: Hearts Music. Own Choice: Marching Song.

1977 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class (Open): 1st Prize. Test Piece: Bright is the Ring of Words. Own Choice: Two Roses.

1978 Blackburn.
MVC Class: 1st Prize & Rose Bowl. Test Piece: She walks in beauty. Own Choice: Marching Song.
1978 Blackpool.
MVC Class “A” Section.
Test Piece: Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord. Own Choice: She Walks in Beauty.
Placings: 1st Felling. 2nd Four Lanes. 3rd Nelson Arian. 4th Bolsterstone
5th SMVC. 6th Reading Phoenix. 7th Lyons. 8th Treverva.
9th Biddulph. 10th Shifnal.
Note: Winning Choir had 77 singers, we had 42.
1978 Biddulph.
MVC Class & Rose Bowl: 1st Prize. Test Piece: The Cooper O’Fife. Own Choice: She Walks in Beauty
1978 Freckleton [9th December].
Choral Rose Bowl. Test: (a) Marching Song (b) Jonah (c) Own Choice.
Placings: 1st Dore. 2nd Keldwyth Singers. 3rd Newrad Singers.
4th Gerald Brown Singers. 5th SMVC.
6th Holme Valley Choir (Conductor Alan Simmons). 7th Castleford.MVC.

1979 Biddulph [29th September].
MVC.Class: 3rd Prize. Test Piece. Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord. Own Choice. Jovial Beggar.
1979 Blackpool.
MVC Class ‘B’: 1st Prize.
Test Piece: Own choice, 2 contrasting pieces. Marching Song & Do you Remember an Inn Miranda.

1980 Llangollen International. Entry applied for - not accepted.
1980 Cleveland InterTie Middlesborough [26th July].
Not Placed. Test pieces: The Soldiers Lot, Hey Nonny No.

1981 Blackpool.
MVC ‘B’ Class: 3rd Prize Equal. Test Piece: I Loved a lass. Own choice: The Bandits Chorus.

1982 Southport.
MVC Class: 1st Prize. Test Pieces: Make a Joyful Noise, Cooper O Fife (Own Choice).
1982 Blackpool
MVC ’B’ Class: 1st Prize. Test Piece: Ludlow Fair. Own Choice: Bright is the Ring of Words.
2nd Place. Shifnal MVC.

1983 Southport.
MVC Class: 1st Prize. Test piece: Pueri Hebreorum. Own Choice: Budmouth Dears.
Choral Rose Bowl: 2nd Equal with Manchester Girls.
Test Piece: Pilgrims Chorus. Own Choice: Do you Remember an Inn ?.
Note: 1st Place - Auburn Singers
1983 Blackpool.
MVC ‘A’ Class. Test Piece: King Charles. Own Choice: The Listeners.
MVC ‘B’ Class.1st Prize. Test Piece: Three Merry Ghosts. Own Choice: (?).
2nd Place: Imperial MV C, London.

1984 Huddersfield (’Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 2nd Prize. Test Piece: La Pastorella. Own Choice: Three Merry Ghosts.

1985 Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
MVC Class.
Test Pieces: Confitemini Domino, The Bandits Chorus. Own Choice: These Woman All.
Placing. Equal 18th of 19.

1986 Southport.
MVC Class: 1st Prize.
Test Piece: Aye Me, My Wonted Joys. Own Choice: Do you Remember an Inn.
Choral Rose Bowl: 2nd Prize. Test Piece (Own Choice): Marching Song.
1986 Blackpool.
MVC Class: 1st Prize.
Test Pieces: Marching Song, Do you Remember an Inn. Own Choice: Budmouth Dears.

1988 ‘Fourth Northern Male Voice Choirs Championship’ (Huddersfield).
13th of 14. Test Piece: A Crown of Praise, What Shall we Do with the Drunken Sailor?.

1989 ‘Fifth NMVCC’ (Huddersfield).
9th of 13. Test Pieces: The Fire Kindled, King Hal.

1990 Penistone.
MVC Class: 2nd Place. Test or Own Choice: The Bandits Chorus, Pueri Hebreorum.
Placing. 1st Worral, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Millhouse Green.

1991 Blackpool.
MVC ‘A’ Class. Test Piece: Miranda, Own Choice: Confitemini Domino.
Placing: 1st Rossendale, 2nd SMVC, 3rd K Shoes.
MVC ‘B’ Class. Test Piece: I got plenty O’ Nuttin. Own Choice: O’ Maiden Fair.
Placing:
Choral Class: Unplaced. 1st Rossendale MVC, 2nd Rossendale Festival Choir, 3rd Oldham Girls.

1992 Hazel Grove. 1st prize.

1993 Hazel Grove. 1st prize.

1994 Worcester (3rd ‘Elgar Choral Festival’).
MVC Class: Not Placed.
Test Piece: Zut, Zut, Zut. Own Choice: King Hal, Do You Remember an Inn Miranda ?
Other Choirs: Felling MVC, Four Lanes MVC, Nelson Arian, Reading Pheonix.
1994 Hazel Grove.
1st Prize. Test pieces: The Lord is my shepherd, A smugglers Song.

1996 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 3rd of 3.
Test Piece. Ching a ring Chaw. Own Choice: King Hal.
Placing. 1st Colne Valley MVC, 2nd Nelson Arion.
Choir Programme: Not Placed.
Own Choice: What shall we do with the drunken sailor? My Sweet Lady, When The Saints.
Placing: 1st Abbeydale Singers (Sheffield), 2nd (?), 3rd equal CVMVC & Cantores Novae.

1997 Biddulph.
MVC Class: 1st Prize.
Test Piece: My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose. Own Choice: Psalm 126.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd York Phil MVC, 3rd Equal Wigston / Newport.
Choral Class: 2nd Prize. Own Choice: Jolly Roger, Eriskay, Softly as I Leave You, Lost Chord.
Placings: 1st York Phil, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Chester Ladies.

1998 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 4th of 4. Test Piece: Psalm 126. Own Choice: The Gospel Train.
Placing: 1st CVMVC, 2nd Sheffield Chorale MVC, 3rd Gledholt MVC.
Choir Programme: Not Placed.
Own Choice: The Lost Chord, The Lord is my Shepherd, Alexander’s Rag Time Band.
Placing: 1st CVMVC, 2nd Sheffield Chorale Mixed, 3rd Sheffield Choral Ladies.

1999 Biddulph.
MVC Class: 1st prize. Test Piece: Three Hungarian Folk Songs. Own Choice: Last Words of David.
Others: Audley MVC, Hazel Grove MVC. (SMVC: also won: Conductors Trophy).
Choral Recital Class: 1st Prize.
Own Choice: Lords Prayer, Confitemini Domino, My Luve is Like a Red,Red Rose,
Alexander’s Rag Time Band.
Placing: 1st.
Others: Chester Ladies, St. Peter’s Church Choir, Hazel Grove MVC, Dalvait Singers (Loch Lomond).

2000 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 2nd Prize. Test Piece: Tom the Pipers Son. Own Choice: The Last Words Of David.
Placing: 1st Colne Valley, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Skelmanthorpe, 4th Accrington.
Choir Programme: Not Placed. Own Choice: The Lord’s Prayer, Confitemi Domino, Saints.
Placing: Nelson Civic Ladies, C.V.M.V.C. Noteable Company.
Choir Prize Winners Challenge: Not Placed.
Placing: 1st CVMVC, 2nd Marsh Ladies, 3rd Noteable Company.

2001 Biddulph.
MVC Class: 1st prize. Test Piece:.Three Hungarian Folk Songs. Own Choice: The Soldier’s Chorus.
Choral Recital Class: 1st prize.
Own Choice: Psalm 126, Tom the Pipers Son, An Eriskay Love Lilt, The Lords Prayer.
Marks: 94 (the highest in the festivals history). (SMVC: also won: Conductors Trophy).

2002 Hazel Grove.
No MVC Class.
Choral Recital Class: 1st Prize.
The Lord is My Shepherd, Down by the Riverside, Three Hungarian Folk Songs.
Placing: 1st SMVC (270 pts), 2nd Tideswell MVC (267), 3rd Chester Ladies Choir (255),
4th St Peter’s Church Choir (252), 5th Poynton MVC (248), 6th Hazel Grove MVC (247).

2002 Eskdale Music Festival (Whitby).
Sacred Music Class: Equal 3rd
Own Choice: The Lord is My Shepherd, When the Saint’s go Marching In.
Placing: 1st York Phil MVC, 2nd Castleford MVC, 3rd Horbury Ladies / SMVC.
Others: Middlesbrough Choral, The Low Fell Singers, Louth MVC,
Rodillian Singers, Newcastle Male Chorus.
Sea Shanty Class: 1st Prize. Own Choice: Jolly Roger.
Placing 1st SMVC, 2nd Castleford MVC, 3rd Louth MVC.
Rodillian Singers - over time limit.
Choir Recital: 1st Prize. Own Choice: Soldiers Chorus, Three Hungarian Folk Songs,
Down by the Riverside.
Placing: 1st SMVC, 2nd York Phil MVC, 3rd = Newcastle Male Chorus / Rodillian Singers.
Others: Horbury Ladies, The Driffield Miscellany.
2002 Biddulph.
MVC Class: 3rd of 3.
Test Piece: The Pilgrim’s Chorus. Own Choice: Comrades in Arms.
Placing: 1st Rossendale MVC, 2nd Four Lanes, 3rd SMVC.
Choral Recital Class: Not Placed.
Own Choice: Jolly Roger, The Lord is My Shepherd, Bring Him Home, When The Saints.
Placing: 1st Four Lanes MVC, 2nd Rossendale MVC, 3rd Marsh Ladies.

2003 Biddulph.
MVC Class.1st of 6.
Test Piece: Song of the Jolly Roger. Own Choice: Psalm 126.
Placing: 1st SMVC, 2nd Flint, 3rd Rossendale MVC, 4th Aughton, 5th = Hazel Grove / Praze.
Choral Recital Class: 3rd of 7.
Own Choice: The Lords Prayer, Drunken Sailor, My Lord What a Morning,
What would I do without my Music.
Placing: 1st Rossendale MVC, 2nd Rossendale Ladies, 3rd SMVC, 4th Aughton MVC.
5th = Chester Ladies / Flint MVC / Praze MVC.
2003 North Wales Festival (Llandudno).
MVC Class: 2nd of 7. Own Choice: Drunken Sailor, Psalm 126.
Placings: 1st Hogia’r Ddwylan, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Aughton.
Evening Concert for Winners only (non-competitive).

2004 Mexborough.
MVC Class: 1st of 5.
Own Choice: Drunken Sailor, Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Dore MVC, 3rd Castleford MVC, Equal 4th Scunthorpe and Tickhill & Dist.
2004 Eskdale.
MVC Class: 3rd of 4. Test Piece: Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Own Choice: I Am a Roamer.
1st Newcastle Male Chorus (85 pts), 2nd York Philharmonic (84.8), 3rd SMVC (84.6), 4th Louth (82.8).
Sea Shanty Class: 1st of 3. Own Choice: Song of the Jolly Roger.
1st SMVC (85 pts), 2nd Alverton Singers (84), 3rd Louth MVC (83).
Sacred Music Class: 1st of 7. Own Choice: The Lords Prayer, Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord
1st SMVC (173 pts), 2nd Gibside Singers (169), 3rd = York Phil MVC & Rodillian Singers (167)
5th Louth MVC (163), 6th Waldershelf Choral Soc (161), 7th Middlesbrough Choral Group (160).
Choir Recital Class: 2nd of 8. Own Choice: Psalm 126, Drunken Sailor, I Got a Robe.
1st Renaissance (261 pts), 2nd SMVC (259), 3rd York Phil MVC (255), 4th = St Marys Church Choir,
Alverton Singers, Gibside Singers (251), 7th Newcastle Male Chorus (249),
8th Middlesbrough Choral Group (245).

2005 Mexborough.
MVC Class: 1st of 3.
Own choice: I Am a Roamer, Ride the Chariot.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Thunscoe Harmonic MVC, 3rd Houghton Main.

2006 Don Valley (formerly Mexborough) Festival.
MVC Class: 1st of 5.
Own Choice: Lords Prayer, Three Hungarian Folk Songs.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Skelmanthorpe, 3rd Thurnscoe Harmonic, 4th = Worrall & Kimberworth MVC’s.

2007 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 2nd of 3.
Own Choice: Last words of David, Three Hungarian Folk Songs.
Placings 1st CVMVC, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Gledholt MVC.
Evening Choir prize Winners Challenge: Not Placed.
Placings: 1st Cantores Novae, 2nd CVMVC, 3rd Friday Choir.
2007 Don Valley.
MVC Class: 1st of 3.
Own Choice: What Shall We do with the Drunken Sailor, Peacemakers.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Bolsterstone MVC, 3rd Kimberworth Park.
2007 Fleetwood.
MVC Class: (We were the only entry).
Own Choice: What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor, The Peacemakers.
Choral Competition. Placings: 1st Silver Sounds (ladies choir)
2nd Liberty Belles (ladies barbershop), 3rd SMVC.

2008 Huddersfield (‘Mrs Sunderland’).
MVC Class: 2nd of 2. Own Choice: Three Hungarian Folk Songs, Peacemakers.
Placings: 1st CVMVC, 2nd SMVC.
2008 Don Valley.
MVC Class: 1st of 4.
Own Choice: The Lord is my Shepherd, Three Hungarian Folk Songs.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Bolsterstone MVC, 3rd Dore MVC, 4th Thurnscoe Harmonic.
2008 Eskdale.
MVC Class: 4th of 5. Test Piece: Shenandoah. Own Choice: Three Hungarian Folk Songs.
Placings: 1st Felling MVC, 2nd York Philharmonic MVC, 3rd Teesside Apollo MVC,
4th SMVC, 5th Stockton MVC.
Sacred Music Class: 5th of 5.
Own Choice: The Lord is My Shepherd, The Last Words of David.
Placings: 1st York, 2nd Rodillian Singers, 3rd Stockton, 4th Horbury Ladies,
5th Saddleworth MVC.
Sea Shanty Class: 1st of 2.
Own Choice (both choirs): What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor.
Placings: 1st SMVC, 2nd Teesside Apollo MVC.
Choir Recital: 4th of 5.
Own Choice: Psalm 126, An Evenings Pastorale, The Peacemakers.
Placings: 1st Rodillian Singers, 2nd York, 3rd Horbury, 4th SMVC, 5th Teesside.
2008 Manchester Amateur Choral Competition.
Placed 2nd of 15.
Own Choice: Bandits Chorus, My Lord what a morning. Evenings Pastoral,
High Barbary, African Trilogy.
Placings: 1st Cottontown Chorus, 2nd SMVC, 3rd Arden Youth Choir.
(The 3 judges took over ½ hour to decide the 1st & 2nd places, and SMVC’s
‘My Lord What a Morning’ was judged the best individual item of the entire competition).
Unplaced: Liverpool PCC, Pyramid Sound, Crystal Chords, Ordsell Acapella Singers,
MLGC, Opus 44, Blackburn Peoples Choir, Nelson Civic Ladies, Harmony Revival,
Cowley Language College Choir, Glorious Chorus, Absolute Harmony.

2009 Don Valley.
MVC Class: 3rd of 3. Own Choice: O Waly Waly, The Lost Chord.
Placings: 1st New Mill, 2nd Rossendale, 3rd SMVC.