Following their highly successful Music Festival and Gala Concert in May, which celebrated their 60th Anniversary, the Gledholt Male Voice Choir concluded their ‘special year’ with their Annual General Meeting, which included an excellent supper.

In his report, Choir Chairman, Raj Beadle, said ‘The aim of the choir is to take music out into the community, whilst at the same time encouraging young musicians/singers from Huddersfield and surrounding areas. The choir were delighted to have gained the support of so many local musical groups at their Music Festival to support that aim. We also welcomed the help, assistance and encouragement from the neighbouring shop owners who expressed a wish that we should return next year!’

‘However, in addition, the choir is on a mission to recruit more mature men, whilst retaining its existing members for a greater length of time. Thirty of our members have been with us for over 15 years, and 9 of them for over 25 years. Most of these gentlemen tend to have more free time than our younger members, who have family and work commitments. We do have very committed young men who are very necessary to the choir and we are very fortunate to have them, but in addition to welcoming more young men, we need to retain existing members and recruit older men to keep our singing tradition going for the next generation.’

At the A.G.M., one of the choir members, John Graham received his 25 year award from the President, Dr. Monty Segal. During his time with the choir, John was very involved with the organization of the Northern Male Voice Choir Championships, which Gledholt formed and ran for ten years in Huddersfield Town Hall.