Meet the Choir

I joined the choir almost 44 years ago, in November 1981

I grew up in Skelmanthorpe, living there since 1955, working in my family's village bakery for 60 years and serving as a retained firefighter for 30 years. I was asked if I would be interested in joining the chor by three other members in a pub!!

I especially enjoy singing in competitions; I also sing with another choir for that reason and have travelled all over the world singing with both choirs.

I first joined the choir in 2003, had a break between 2006 and 2009, continuous since then.

Having been brought up with music and singing in the church choir since the age of 10, I joined Normanton Amateur Dramatic Society in 1979 where I took part in many productions onver a 20 year period and also performed with other societies. I was a founder member of the Wakefield Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

Joined January 2010 (workshop), was looking to join operatic/dramatic society but nothing close by.

My wife insisted I give it a try (next to no travelling). The rest is history as they say.

Favourite song - Seal Lullaby

I joined the choir 52 years ago when I was just 28 years old

The first choir I sang with was in church when I was only 9 and i went on to join a male voice choir at age 16. I started to sing with a mixed choir too, when I was 23 and still do, 56 years later!!

I joined the choir in January 2019

I was responding a a challenge laid down by my father-in-law to all the men at a family gathering! Sadly, he retired from the baritone section this year, just a little short of his 90th birthday.

I have many favouites among the songs in our repertoire, but most of all I love to sing those with a rousing ending and "American Trilogy" still gives me chills every time!

I joined SMVC in January 2023 - it was a choice between SMVC open day or my niece's 6th birthday party! Truthfully though, I had been inspired to get back to singing having enjoyed hearing SMVC in Wakefield Cathedral.

My favourite moments, of which there are many, are having a common interest in making a beautiful sound but meeting such an interesting group of people from such varied experiences.

Singing and friendship, a great combination.

I joined the choir 18 months ago and at first, was a bit hesitant because I can’t (and still can’t!) read music but fellow choir members have helped me understand the basics and I can now follow the “pattern” of the music and be guided by those who can interpret all those dots! Also, the choir recently invested in an app that helps one practise at home or in the car.

The first time I sang with the choir in a concert venue made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. To be part of the group that could produce that venue filling sound was something else and the clapping and cheering of the audience was magical. I’ve since been privileged to share the stage with some of the best-known brass bands in the country.

There is also a lively social aspect to the choir and my wife and I have enjoyed several daytime and evening events. In all, joining the choir was one of my best decisions and I would urge anyone who can hold a note to come along and give it a go.

I joined the choir in Summer 2014 after receiving a local publicity flyer. I had just finished as Rugby team manager for my son's local club after he left for Uni and I wanted do something to replace the practice on a Tuesday evening.

Sadly departed John Bexon shared transport with me and my Bass mentor was the superbly talented Greg. I heard the choir in a joint concert with Castleford and SMVC made a beautiful sound so I was hooked.

I cannot read music, but have always loved a broad range of music and still go to many music gigs and festivals. Having Welsh blood we all think we can sing but my only real musical experience is bassist and lead singer in a late 70's post punk dance 'garage band' in Donny who had 2 gigs. I am still a frustrated funk bassist but the choir has given me some much joy and fulfilment in a different direction.

It is a great mental and physical release from my role as Sales Director in a Commercial Insurance Broking business and some how I volunteered to handle publicity and then moved to be the Secretary.

The choir is a great part of me now and I am proud to represent our local area and sing with such a wonderful group of people who also enjoy a pint and good food.

Lindsay Browning was introduced at a young age to the piano by her music teacher mother. Taking up the flute and then the bassoon, she continued her studies at Chetham’s School of Music and then took a music degree at  Sheffield University. Lindsay decided to pursue a career in teaching, obtaining a PGCE from Cambridge University. For the last 15 years she has worked at Wakefield Girls’ High School and she first encountered SMVC when the Under 11 choir began singing with them in their annual Christmas Concert in Wakefield Cathedral. The opportunity to become their accompanist was too good to miss!

Nicola Mills is originally from Oldham and attended The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, then went on for 10 years to sing for opera houses including Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Dutch National Opera, The Flemish Opera and Opera Monte Carlo.

Whilst living in Belgium she began singing on the streets which became Opera for the People. She’s sung at events in France, Belgium, Germany, Crete, New York, Holland, Luxembourg and the UK and will be back in Germany and Bulgaria next year too.

She also performs a Julie Andrews show called A Spoonful of Julie, which she wrote whilst living in New York.

In August she was asked to step in for Lesley Garrett by the BBC with the Bantam of the Opera choir at Bradford Live for the BBC with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra.

She loves performing her one woman Opera for the People show, where the audience choose the songs from her Song Menu, interspersed with stories from her life. For more info on upcoming performances see www.iamnicolamills.com

Tim started playing the piano when he was 8 years old. He first became an accompanist for his daughter at competitions, then for other performers and eventually for choirs.

As well as SMVC he is now accompanist for HCS Voices (the community/academy choir of Huddersfield Choral Society), Almondbury Ladies choir, Pennine Singers (Huddersfield) and Oaks Choir at Old Earth Primary School. He is also musical director and organist for St Barnabas Church.