Toad Lane Concert: Eccles Community Choir

Eccles Community Choir

The Toad Lane Concerts series has regularly featured choirs and vocal groups both local and visiting, as part of its varied schedule, which made the pandemic restriction all the more painful.

Now thankfully back on track, Eccles Community Choir (est. 2009) made a welcome return on Wednesday 1 March. It is mixed ability, open to all adults, with no auditions and low subscriptions. Their mission is ‘Singing for pleasure and friendship’ for themselves and the wider community.

Musical Director, Angela Rowley ARCM is an experienced soprano and adjudicator. As one member put it, ‘Every practice session is also a two-hour singing lesson!’ Accompanist John Stott arranges for them as does Alex Gilchrist, one of its members.

They have given concerts both in the UK and abroad, including at the Carnegie Hall, New York as part of a massed international choir, and at the Last Post at the Menin Gate, Ypres.

Their eclectic programme began by toasting St David’s Day in traditional Welsh song, such as Suo gân, including a solo from the director.

A classical set of Henry Purcell, Praetorius, Mozart, Sibelius, Stainer and Offenbach was contrasted with popular standards such as The Rose by Amanda McBroome, then a set of Sondheim, again led by the conductor with Send in the Clowns, followed by Everything’s Coming up Roses, and Not While I’m Around.

Finally, a medley of timeless numbers: Pauls Simon’s The Sound of Silence, Dream a little Dream of Me by The Mamas & The Papas, Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers, and finishing with The Impossible Dream. Certainly, something for everyone.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed 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