Toad Lane Concerts: More than Melody

More than Melody

'June is bustin’ out all over' was a suitably cheerful song to celebrate the second anniversary of Toad Lane Concerts’ Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2020. This was the first opportunity to do so because of the pandemic.

More than Melody is a group of ladies from Bury, Oldham and Rochdale. Formed in 2008 by Alyson Brailsford, its aims are to have fun and fellowship as well as making music (Contact: Alyson on 07773 710325 or alyson.brailsford@gmail.com).

This is one of the choral groups that contrast with soloists and instrumentalists in the weekly concert fayre, all revelling in the beautiful acoustics of St Mary in the Baum. Talented local performers, they are led by accomplished musicians.

Conductor Jonathan Gibson was born in Northampton and graduated in French horn from the RNCM in 1997. He freelances with several ensembles and orchestras and is also the Musical Director of Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society.

Accompanist J Edward Rigg (not pictured) was born in Wardle and taught in Rochdale for 18 years, thereafter, taking over the family business. A conductor and accompanist as well as a keen choral singer, Edward is also President of Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society and organiser of the Littleborough Coach House lunchtime concerts.

More than Melody’s eclectic repertoire embraces folk song arrangements and spirituals, popular songs such as 'You raise me up', songs from the shows such as 'June is bustin' out all over' and 'The Sound of Music' by Rodgers & Hammerstein, and also the more serious, such as 'The long day closes' by Arthur Sullivan and the Bach-Gounod 'Ave Maria'. Soloists emerge from the choir, as necessary. The audience had much to go away with, happily humming and singing to themselves.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson