Sing for Pleasure
Website: www.pilkingtonchoir.org.uk
Our History in Arthur’s Words
Arthur Houghton was Chairman of the Pilkington Choir for 12 years until his retirement some 3 years ago. He is however still very much involved in the management of the choir as Deputy Chairman and Music Librarian. Perhaps more importantly he is still our compere at concerts displaying a distinctive sense of humour together with a bottomless fund of groan- inspiring “one liners “ as well as a wealth of monologues which are very popular with audiences. He is seen here at a recent concert, as compere.
This is his view of our history:-
This is his view of our history:-
The “Choral Section” originated early in 1956, when an enthusiastic group of men from Pilkington Glass Home Sales and other departments, assembled to rehearse part-songs, mainly for their own enjoyment. Rehearsals were held in an upstairs room at the”'Running Horses” public house. One of the town's most eminent musicians, Mr Joseph Leigh, undertook the conductorship. First mention of the group appeared in the “Cullet” (Pilkington's House magazine) of June 1956 that choristers were required. Their aim was now to give concerts for the benefit of charities and similar organisations.
Despite this advertising, the response was poor, so in 1957, the decision was made to form a mixed voice choir. A room for rehearsals was engaged at the YMCA and whilst the number of members was a little disappointing, they were very enthusiastic. Music was purchased and rehearsals continued throughout the summer. By the autumn, the choir had improved sufficiently to perform in public and they took on concerts at the local hospitals and Pensioners’ Clubs.
In late summer of 1958, the committee decided that the timing for rehearsals at the YMCA was inconvenient for the majority of the members but more importantly, that an hour was not long enough for a good rehearsal. Permission was granted for rehearsals to be held in the Pilkington Sheet Works canteen, where they continued until 1981, when the choir moved to the present venue.
The Choir has been led by relatively few conductors in its life. Joe Leigh was its first conductor; followed by Wilf Jones; Osborne Hancock; Harry Corns; Albert Johnson; David Aldred and since 1993, Anne O'Hara.
In 1969, the choir recorded and broadcasted, six hymns for the BBC programme, “In Every Comer Sing”. In 1971, we took part in a “Festival of Choirs” at Queen's Hall, Wigan, together with other choirs from Crewe and Manchester.This inspired us to host a similar Festival in 1972, in aid of the Mayor's Appeal for the Providence Hospital. Since then, we have performed in Liverpool, Manchester, Wigan and even North Wales,
Despite this advertising, the response was poor, so in 1957, the decision was made to form a mixed voice choir. A room for rehearsals was engaged at the YMCA and whilst the number of members was a little disappointing, they were very enthusiastic. Music was purchased and rehearsals continued throughout the summer. By the autumn, the choir had improved sufficiently to perform in public and they took on concerts at the local hospitals and Pensioners’ Clubs.
In late summer of 1958, the committee decided that the timing for rehearsals at the YMCA was inconvenient for the majority of the members but more importantly, that an hour was not long enough for a good rehearsal. Permission was granted for rehearsals to be held in the Pilkington Sheet Works canteen, where they continued until 1981, when the choir moved to the present venue.
The Choir has been led by relatively few conductors in its life. Joe Leigh was its first conductor; followed by Wilf Jones; Osborne Hancock; Harry Corns; Albert Johnson; David Aldred and since 1993, Anne O'Hara.
In 1969, the choir recorded and broadcasted, six hymns for the BBC programme, “In Every Comer Sing”. In 1971, we took part in a “Festival of Choirs” at Queen's Hall, Wigan, together with other choirs from Crewe and Manchester.This inspired us to host a similar Festival in 1972, in aid of the Mayor's Appeal for the Providence Hospital. Since then, we have performed in Liverpool, Manchester, Wigan and even North Wales,
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