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Last updated 20.12.06 |
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Alfreton Ladies Choir |
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A Brief History of the Choir |
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SEVENTY YEARS AND GOING STRONG
A million good ideas have probably been conceived over a cup of tea. This was certainly the case in 1936, when three ladies, at a house in Mansfield road decided to form a ladies choir in the town of Alfreton. Of this original trio, Cissy Wager became its first conductor, a position she was to hold until 1970. In turn she was followed by Rachel Kennedy, Veronica Wragg, Frank Smith, and in 1989 the present musical director Liz Moulder. This three dozen strong choir which performs about ten concerts a year, can boast of at least eight soloists, which with an equal mix of sopranos and altos, probably accounts for the wonderfully balanced sound received by an audience. The ability to learn new pieces relatively quickly means a large repertoire of music is available for concerts. Songs by classical composers, folk tunes, musicals old and new, and popular tunes of the last fifty years, can format a programme. The choir performs for local groups and organisations and also for larger charity events, singing twice at Chatsworth House, the proceeds going to Breast Cancer and the Derbyshire Association for the Blind. The choir has twice been host to the Group 10 NAC annual concert. Other charities that the choir has supported have been:- NSPCC, Children in Need, Derby Special Care Baby Unit, The Asthma Society,and Cancer Reseach. An exchange visit with Shrewsbury MVC is now a regular feature and, after a visit from The New Harmony Ladies Choir, Bristol a most enjoyable visit to Bristol has taken place. The choir has twice been into the recording studios, the first time was to produce an audio-tape entitled `Memories`, and more recently to produce a CD entitled `Reminiscing`. The ALC is constantly looking to attract enthusiastic new members. Women over 16, who wish to further their choral abilities, will be accepted without audition. If you are interested, and would like to find out if this is for you, just come along to a rehearsal night, every Monday 7-9 pm at our new venue, South Normanton Community Centre, Market Street, South Normanton. |
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