THE STORY OF ROSSENDALE LADIES CHOIR
​
During the life of our successful choir there have been some remarkable choral achievements, including success at the international Eisteddfod in Llangollen, festival winning choirs in the “Festival of Festivals” in Warwick, fundraising concerts in the Albert Hall, London, Christmas concerts in Manchester Cathedral and many local and national churches. We participate annually in the wonderful Rotary Christmas Concert in St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall. With the Rossendale Male Voice Choir and Black Dyke Band we have performed at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester raising over £30,000 for The Christie Hospital. We have had many fantastic concerts with both Brighouse and Rastrick and Second Rossendale Scout Group Brass Bands among others. We recently performed at the MACC Festival in the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. We also perform at local community venues.
Our Musical Director is the very talented John Gray and we are actively looking for a new accompanist. Our patron is Alwyn Mellor of the Welsh National Opera.
We have been very fortunate over the years, to have had some eminent composers write or arrange music for us, Sailing arr. Alan Simmons, Harry arr. Michael Neaum, I Could have Danced All Night arr. Ernest Tomlinson, The Gasman Cometh arr. Peter Butterworth, O Lux Beata arr. Katy Cooper, to name but a few. Our repertoire is vast and extremely varied and ranges from traditional choral works, spirituals, folk songs, to more modern pieces such as James Bond themes, a South African protest song and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee commissioned piece “Sing”, composed by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber. We are regularly invited to perform at a variety of different venues both locally and further afield to give concerts on a paid basis and also to raise funds for charities.
The ladies choir has close musical and social links with the Rossendale Male Voice Choir. The two choirs often share the same concert platform and sometimes perform as a mixed choir when they become known as The Rossendale Festival Choir.
Above all Rossendale Ladies Choir is a family and within it we have made life-long friendships with members both past and present and have given each other comfort and support through personal highs and lows. We work hard and focus strongly on improving our singing so that we can perform well for our audiences. This builds excellent team spirit and it is good to belong to a lively group of people with a common aim.
​
​
WHO'S WHO
John Gray
Musical Director
Born 1964, second of four children in a musical household. John started playing piano at age 7 and church organ at 14.
As his skills developed he began piano lessons with Peter Rose in 1978 and passed grade 8 with distinction. Studied with Martin Roscoe during 1990.
John Studied at Huddersfield University between 1993 and 1996 with Keith Swallow and soon became noted as a talented accompanist and was called upon by numerous fellow students accompany for concerts and exams. In 1996 he gained the L.T.C.L. Diploma and degree Bmus (hons).
After teaching at St. Bede’s R.C. High School for a year John became qualified teacher in 2000 and went on to become Head of Music at St. Cuthbert’s R.C. High School from 2001 to 2004.
John has held the post of organist at St. Hubert’s Church, Great Harwood, from 1978 to the present and Choir Master and Organist at St. Bartholomew’s C. of E. Church from 2005 to present. He also plays at weddings and funerals all over the county.
John has been the accompanist to The Haslingden Choir, Blackburn Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and The A Capella singers.
John Taught at Blackburn School of Music from 1993 to 1998 and is currently teaching piano, singing, drums, brass and theory at Wilpshire School of Music.
Born 1964, second of four children in a musical household. John started playing piano at age 7 and church organ at 14.
As his skills developed he began piano lessons with Peter Rose in 1978 and passed grade 8 with distinction. Studied with Martin Roscoe during 1990.
John Studied at Huddersfield University between 1993 and 1996 with Keith Swallow and soon became noted as a talented accompanist and was called upon by numerous fellow students accompany for concerts and exams. In 1996 he gained the L.T.C.L. Diploma and degree Bmus (hons).
After teaching at St. Bede’s R.C. High School for a year John became qualified teacher in 2000 and went on to become Head of Music at St. Cuthbert’s R.C. High School from 2001 to 2004.
John has held the post of organist at St. Hubert’s Church, Great Harwood, from 1978 to the present and Choir Master and Organist at St. Bartholomew’s C. of E. Church from 2005 to present. He also plays at weddings and funerals all over the county.
John has been the accompanist to The Haslingden Choir, Blackburn Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and The A Capella singers.
John Taught at Blackburn School of Music from 1993 to 1998 and is currently teaching piano, singing, drums, brass and theory at Wilpshire School of Music.