A WORLD-renowned choir pays special tribute to five members who died during the pandemic.
Steeton Male Voice Choir is holding a memorial and thanksgiving concert in honor of the quintet.
Under normal circumstances, the members would have attended the funeral, but were unable to do so due to restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.
Between them, the five choristers had dedicated more than 120 years of service to the choir.
A spokesperson said: “Normally we would have been at their funeral and given them a good start – this memorial concert is a way of honoring them for their contributions to the choir. Family members were warmly invited to attend. to assist.”
The concert takes place at Christ Church, Skipton, on Saturday 26 March at 7.30pm.
Tickets are not required, but donations would be welcome.
The conductor will be the choir’s musical director, Catherine Sweet, and the accompanist is Elaine Dave.
The program will reflect music inspired by, or previously requested by, the five men remembered.
Among those honored are Past President Len Wilson, who served with the choir for 51 years and was active in most sections.
Also remembered is Ron Crossley, who served for 43 years – often a concert soloist, he was well known in schools visited by the choir for his song Hippopotamus; John Kelly, who turned 18 and also raised money through a weekly Bonus Ball initiative; Terry Guest, who had been a member for eight years and sang with the choir’s top tenors, and Martin Winterton, who quit just before the lockdown due to health issues after seven years of service. He sang in the bass section and was the choir’s archivist.
At the recent Annual General Meeting, a tribute was paid to the committee for their work in helping to keep the choir running during the pandemic – with special thanks to Secretary Ian MacDonald and President Mike Grady.
The choir continued to rehearse during the pandemic, first via Zoom and then in other venues until returning “home” to Steeton Methodist Church about a month ago.
Four new recruits have joined since lockdown and more members are welcome – meet at Steeton Methodist Church at 7pm on Mondays or call 07949 626675.
The choir was formed in 1908, under the direction of Hume Wrathall, and the baton has only been passed four times since. The current music director joined in 2017.
