Who would have guessed when seven friends gathered in Derek and Barbara O’Brien’s sitting room in December 1984 to rehearse a few anthems to sing in church and chapel at Christmas, Easter and Harvest that one day a fine choir of 35 talented singers would develop, a choir that over the years has raised many thousands of pounds for various charities. On Tuesday evenings the Methodist Chapel in Kirkby Malzeard, where the choir now rehearse, echoes with the sound of beautiful music and some laughter!
Barbara O’Brien conducted the choir for 28 years until she became ill, then Andrea Widdison bravely and generously took over to keep the group going, supported by Keith Dale as accompanist.
Andrea is a valued member of the altos and loves to sing so the choir needed a musical director and that is when Philip Wilby took charge. Through Phil the choir promoted a concert in 2015 in St Peter’s Church, Harrogate with the famous Black Dyke Band, the church was filled to capacity. Ashville School choir joined with the Highside Singers and the Band to present a fabulous evening of music and raised £4000 for St Michael’s Hospice.
After just 2 terms Phil decided he was not able to continue leading the choir and so Keith Dale became Musical Director and Diana Critchley became the accompanist.
Keith Dale has moved to the North East, first as Assistant Organist at Hexham Abbey, and more recently as Director of Music at St John the Baptist, Newcastle. But he still teaches at Queen Mary’s School Thirsk and is Musical Director of Riding Mill Choral Society and finds time to be Musical Director for The Highside Singers.
