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Live Performance: Christmas Cracker Concert
 December 2004


Saturday 4th December
8.00 pm
Uppermill Civic Hall

Christmas Cracker Concert

Tickets are now available for Christmas Cracker Concert.
Tickets available from Saddleworth Museum in Uppermill or from Jeff Hine (Concert Secretary) on 0161 624 6857


 

Next live concert: Concert of remembrance13th November 2004


Saturday 13th November
7:30 pm
Uppermill Civic Hall

Ticket information from Jeff Hine (Concert Secretary) on 0161 624 6857


Live Performance: St Georges Day
 April 2004


Friday 23rd April
7:30 pm
Uppermill Civic Hall

St. George's Day Concert

Tickets are now available for St George's Day Concert. Our guests are soprano Elizabeth Phillips and female saxophone quartet Kintamarni
Tickets available from Saddleworth Museum in Uppermill or from Jeff Hine (Concert Secretary) on 0161 624 6857


Mexborough Festival Success
 March 2004

The choir competed at Mexborough Festival of Music and Drama in March 2004 and won 1st prize in the Male Voice Choir Gala Competition, singing "Make A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" and "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor". See the choir and trophy here. The adjudicator comments were:

Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord
Purposeful projection, with a cultured tone quality and good balance defining melodic lines. Contrasts were dynamic and well controlled. Phrases had shape and good attack. Excellent diction.

What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?
Lots of character in this with expressive touches and plenty of drama. Especially impressive was the drunken verse. Excellent diction provided good ensemble. A wide dynamic range and yet never losing quality of tone or focus in intonation.

Like the sound of your own voice ?
 January 2004

SMVC are actively looking to increase the number of singers. If you enjoy singing and would like to learn more about the choir please get in touch. You can read more about us here.

Confirmed Live Performance Dates for 2004
 January 2004

Saturday 28th February 2004
St Hilda's Church, Prestwich

Friday 23rd April 2004
Uppermill Civic Hall

Saturday 15th May 2004
Greenacres Congregational Church

Come On and Hear...More Clips of SMVC
 December 2003

Some further MP3 clips of SMVC recordings have been added to the web site. These clips are from the 1999 recording "Come on and Hear" of which there are still copies available for purchase at all SMVC concerts. Prices are £8-00 for a CD and £6-00 for a cassette tape.

The Lonely Steppe, Love Changes Everything, Unchained Melody, Cavatina, Calm is the Sea, Softly As I Leave You


Latest Newsletter
 Nov 2003

The autumn copy of the SMVC newsletter for patrons is available here. It includes membership reports and events from the recent Spain trip.


Competition Success
 September 2003

SMVC were successful in the 2003 Biddulph festival. The choir won first prize in the Male Voice Choir section and came third in the Evening section.


Come On and Hear....MP3 Clips of SMVC
 August 2003

Some short MP3 clips of SMVC recordings have been added to the web site. These clips are from the 1999 recording "Come on and Hear" of which there are still copies available for purchase at all SMVC concerts. Prices are £8-00 for a CD and £6-00 for a cassette tape. Realistically these clips are too big for home users with analog modems unless you are prepared to wait up to five minutes for each clip. However, anyone with a faster link should get them in about 10 seconds each.

Alexander's Rag Time Band, Jacob's Ladder, Jacob's Ladder Solo, Pantyfedwen, Take Me Home, Psalm 126,


Live Performance
 July 2003


Friday 11th July 2003
7:30 pm
St Peter's Catholic Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport

Concert with students from Harrytown School

Tickets available from Glyn Jones (SMVC Concert Secretary) Tel: 01457-875149
and
Tickets available from Mrs C Lott (Harrytown School) 0161 430 5277


The Three Tenors
 June 2003

The AGM held in June 2003 saw three of our tenors presented with long service awards by the choir president. Peter Hatton and John Whyman have chalked up 25 years in the choir while Jack Bamford has been singing in the second tenors for 10 years.


Saddleworth Festival: A Night At The Opera
 June 2003

Thursday 5th June 2003
7:30 pm
A Night At The Opera
Uppermill Civic Hall

Saddleworth Male Voice Choir and the West Pennine Orchestra are joined by soloists Paula Bradbury (soprano) and Blake Fischer (tenor) for this event featuring music from the world of opera and operetta. In the first half of the concert we will perform popular arias, duets and choruses including The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi's Nabucco, The Soldiers' Chorus from Gounad's Faust and The Easter Hymn from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. In the second half of the concert we focus on the work of Gilbert and Sullivan and perform selections from three of their best known and well-loved operettas The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe and The Mikado

From Saturday 3rd May 2003, tickets for this SMVC concert and most other Saddleworth Festival events can be purchased from the Festival Box Office in the foyer in Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets may also be purchased by post (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope) from the Festival Box Office, Civic Hall, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6AS. Alternatively, tickets can be ordered by telephone: 01457 877878 (Mastercard, Visa, Switch and Delta cards accepted.)


Quiz Night
 May 2003

A quiz event organised by the Ladies' Committee was well attended by members and friends of the choir. The catering on the night lived up to its usual high standard.

A team including our Musical Director sounded almost apologetic as they delivered a series of high scores in successive rounds. All such remorse disappeared however when it came time to collect the first prize on offer. The second tenors were honourably represented on the team which were awarded the wooden spoon.

Special thanks go to Susan Ackroyd and Dilys Redfearn for the work which went into arranging the evening and for the creative collection of quiz questions which they compiled and delivered in a style which borrowed successfully from Anne Robinson in its methods of quelling rebellious contestants.


Live Performance
 April 2003


Saturday 10th May
7:30 pm
Chorlton Methodist Church, Manchester

Concert

Tickets available from Glyn Jones (Concert Secretary) Tel: 01457-875149 or at the door


Live Performance
 April 2003


Wednesday 23rd April
7:30 pm
Uppermill Civic Hall

St. George's Day Concert

Tickets available from Glyn Jones (Concert Secretary) Tel: 01457-875149


Live Performance
 April 2003


Saturday 12th April
7:30 pm
Bamford Chapel, Rochdale

Concert with Vivace Cantamus from Hampshire

Tickets available from Glyn Jones (Concert Secretary) Tel: 01457-875149


Sunday Half Hour on Radio 2
 April 2003

Another four pieces recorded by the choir for Radio 2 will be broadcast on Sunday 6th April between 8:30pm and 9:00pm on the Sunday Half Hour program. The BBC web site normally has a link to the most recent edition of the program which can be used to hear the program during the week following the radio broadcast (Realplayer software required.)
The pieces recorded by the choir for this program include:
  • All In The April Evening
  • My Lord What A Mornin'
  • O Sacred Head Sore Wounded
  • Gwahoddiad

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    Live Performance
    		 March 2003


    Saturday 29th March
    7:00 pm
    St Chads Church Uppermill

    Concert with Sean Rea (soloist) and Pheonix Brass Tickets available from Glyn Jones (Concert Secretary) Tel: 01457-875149


    Looking for a new challenge ?
    		 March 2003

    Try something different by joining our choir. The choir are actively seeking new members. Enthusiasm is more important than experience or technical ability. You do not need an exceptional solo voice to add something to our sound. Find out more...


    New Member
    		 March 2003

    Having attended some Wednesday evening rehearsals, Ken Barker has joined the bass section. We are always looking to attract new members with an interest in singing. For more information on joining go here.


    Live Performance
    		 March 2003

    Saturday 1st March 2003
    7:00 pm
    "Oldham Bred"

    BBC GMR's Jane Hodson hosts an evening of just about everything Oldham - an exciting mix of professional and amateur companies come together to celebrate talented Oldhamers. Music, comedy, dance, sketches and a few surprise guests. Tickets available from Oldham Coliseum


    Alias Smith and Jones
    		 February 2003

    At the annual dinner on 22nd February 2003, two of our second tenors were presented with tankards in recognition of their 25 years service to the choir. Committee member, Ray Smith, along with concert-secretary and occasional conductor, Glyn Jones, were thanked by the chairman.


    Sunday Half Hour on Radio 2
    		 February 2003

    The choir has recently recorded pieces for two programmes of the popular Sunday Half Hour program. The first of these will be broadcast on Sunday 16th February 2003 between 8:30pm and 9:00pm. The BBC web site normally has a link to the most recent edition of the program which can be used if you manage to miss the broadcast. The pieces recorded by the choir for this program are:
  • The Day Thou Gavest
  • Llanfair
  • The Lord's Prayer
  • When The Saints Go Marching In

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    Welcome Peter
    		 February 2003

    The choir is pleased to welcome its latest new member. Peter O'Neill joins the thriving baritone section.


    Messiah Celebration
    		 January 2003

    To mark the 40th consecutive annual performance of G.F. Handel's Messiah in Uppermill, a celebration dinner was held on Saturday 4th January. Choir members, partners, members of the orchestra and patrons joined together to celebrate the occasion. The guest speaker was Mr. Walter Brisk. As former Musical Director of SMVC Walter conducted over half of these 40 performances of Messiah.


    SMVC On Your Radio
    		 December 2002

    In the new year, SMVC will make it's debut on BBC Radio 2. The choir has been invited to record two programmes for the popular Sunday Half Hour program. These will be broadcast on February 16th and April 6th 2003.


    25 Years
    		 October 2002

    A 25 year service award was presented to Tony Ackroyd by our president, Malcom Hill. Tony has given service as a committee member, membership secretary and public-relations officer during his time.


    Forty Not Out
    		 September 2002

    Donald Craven, a member of our baritone section, recently chalked up forty years service with SMVC. During that time many of our members have been grateful for the benefit of Donald's sound advice. The choir were delighted to present Donald with an engraved watch to mark his service to us as a singer, committee member, public relations officer and chairman at different times over the 40 year period.


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