Remembering Beryl Kilpatrick - a celebration concert at Rochdale Parish Church

A concert was held to celebrate the life of Beryl Kilpatrick

The Rochdale area has a rich history of music making by local people of all ages. One well-loved stalwart was Beryl Kilpatrick (née Bamford of Wardle) who died peacefully on 17 March 2024, aged 93. She epitomised the musical volunteer spirit and shared her gifts and encouraged others throughout her life.

An Evensong remembrance service that Beryl had wished for was held at in June 2024 at St Chad’s Parish Church, Rochdale. This musical celebration of her life was held on Saturday 28 September.

Among many choral groups, Beryl sang in both St Chad’s and the Manchester Cathedral Cantata Choir, having previously worked in marketing at the Cathedral. Choral supremo John Powell who knew her in many songster roles noted that she was able to sing a top G perfectly in tune at the grand age of 92.

In addition to singing, she was a long-standing and valued committee member of Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association and generously hosted meetings at her beautiful home near Syke Pond. As president for three years, I well remember us being sustained by tea, hot onion soup and sundry snacks and cakes - regrettably curtailed by Covid and replaced by meetings by Zoom.

Over 40-strong mixed voices formed an impressive Combined Chorus in sections of Faure’s Requiem conducted by John Powell (who also sang the baritone solo) and later two of Handel’s Coronation Anthems, all ably accompanied by organist and director of music at Rochdale Parish Church, Philip Lowe. This was exactly the fine musicmaking of which Beryl would have been proud.

One of her many close chorister friends, Celia Tope (Philip’s assistant) played some reflective organ music by Parry, followed by sensitive piano accompaniments for her husband, retired operatic tenor Harry Sharples in some poignant and expressive Schubert and Quilter.

‘More than Melody Choir’, of which Beryl was a founder member in 2008, sang Rutter’s ‘For the beauty of the earth’, conducted by Jonathan Gibson, another conductor of several groups with which she had an affinity.  

More societal connections were commemorated by soprano Freda Farnworth and pianist Edward Rigg piano in two delightful folk songs arranged by Britten.

Ian Kilpatrick added touching personal readings discovered in his mother’s belongings. Then a tender contribution from her own local choir at the Parish Church with Elgar’s Ave Maria.

Fellow Wardle-ite Edward Rigg, who Beryl remembered being born told of evenings when he would be summoned to play the piano for his supper, via the local chip shop. He played her favourite Brahms waltz, before accompanying John Powell in a moving and affectionate rendering of ‘Without a song’.

Beryl would have loved all of this, especially from a seat in the choir stalls. All of us who knew Beryl could identify with the words of the vicar, Rev Anne Gilbert, ‘a few hours in her company and you felt you’d known her all your life.’

Finally, the Combined Chorus sang from The Gondoliers to round off a glorious concert to celebrate a full and musical life. Three hearty cheers for Beryl.

Dr Joe Dawson