Having sung in Operetta whilst still at school, I developed a love of singing, but for many years after I left school, didn’t do anything about it until I changed careers at the beginning of 1970, when I read an advertisement in the local paper for a night school class entitled ‘Singing for Pleasure’ with Stockton Male Voice Choir. The choir was about 55 – 60 strong and was then conducted by Harry B Dodd.

Originally, I was placed in the baritone line (goodness only knows why), and then moved to the second tenor line and finally to the top tenor line where I still enjoy the challenge of singing top tenor, but as one grows older I find the high notes can be very challenging. I began to sing solos within the choir about 15 years ago and still continue to derive much pleasure from this. Having had a great love of music of all types, for many, many years, I would find it extremely difficult to live without it.

This is my third year as Chairman of the Choir and I have used this position to attempt to increase the falling membership, with some success, and to continue finding new and varied concert venues where ‘the boys’ can perform.

My repertoire as a soloist includes:

Love Changes Everything
Begin the Beguine
Then You’ll Remember Me
The Little Irish Girl
The Music of the Night
Linden Lea
Roses of Picardy
Total Eclipse from Samson (G.F.Handel)
Caro Mio Ben
The Rose of Tralee
My Dearest Dear
Somewhere A Voice is Calling
The Sally Gardens
Where e’er You Walk
My Lovely Celia
Silent Worship
The Holy City