About Us
In
the beginning………..
In 1928 a music teacher called Elsie Harrop combined the girls and ladies
from her church choir to form The Ladybrook Ladies Choir (named after
the stream running between Hazel Grove and Bramhall).
Elsie`s brother, J. Worsley Harrop was the founder of The Hazel Grove
Musical Festival
In the early days
rehearsals took place above a bakers shop in Hazel Grove and Bramhall
Methodist Church.
Their young accompanist at the time was Irene Hallworth.
On 10th May 1929 The Ladybrook Ladies Choir took part in their first Music Festival at Alderley Edge. They came second in the women’s choirs (open) Class. The two songs they performed were Songs of Shadows, by C. Armstrong Gibbs and Elfin Music by G. Bantock. The adjudicator was Mr. Armstrong Gibbs
The start of the Second World War saw a change of accompanist with Irene Barkworth taking over from Irene Hallworth. During the long school holidays Irene Barkworths son who had ambitions to be a Music Hall Comedian when he grew up came and helped the choir with their entertainment…….he was the famous actor PETER BARKWORTH.
The choir were kept busy during the war years performing for the armed forces at various venues.
1950 the choir travelled abroad to The Lausanne International Music Festival. There they achieved the highest honour gaining First place and a special diploma for `Madame Elsie Harrop
To mark the Choir`s Silver Jubilee, MICHAEL HEAD composed `Under the BOWER of NIGHT` and `I am only a Singing Bird` pieces that the choir first learned from manuscript copies.
In 1956 the choir travelled again, this time to Cork in Ireland for the Cork festival. Elsie Harrop commented that the trip was a great success and that everyone taking part had a real love of music and a passion for singing.
Sadly in 1960
Elsie Harrop died. She had given the choir 32 years of inspired leadership
and devotion.
Alice Harwood was appointed the new Conductor .She was already a member
of the choir and also a music teacher.
When Alice retired in 1968 Olive Mawer a member of the choir was appointed as the new Conductor.
During 1970 Irene Barkworth retired after accompanying the choir for 30 years. She was presented with a Silver Rose bowl. During the next couple of years several accompanists helped out in the absence of a permanent accompanist then in 1973 Irene Fantom was appointed.
Though the 70s and 80s under the leadership of Olive Mawer the choir went from strength to strength and in 1976 & 1977 they took part in BBC Radio Broadcasts. The choir went on to compete in many festivals including The International Eisteddfod.
1988 was The Diamond
Jubilee year and Olive Mawer retired.
Mary Lister her deputy took over as caretaker conductor until she was
replaced by Pamela Golightly.When Pamela stepped down she was replaced
by by John Rodway.
Irene Fantom retired from her post after 16 years as the accompanist and was replaced by Sandra Paterson (a piano teacher)
One year later, John Rodway retired and Eileen Halsall who had been a choir member for a number of years became the choirs new Conductor. She was a regular competitor as a soloist at music festivals and also competed in Lieder classes with the choirs accompanist’s Irene Fantom, Sandra Paterson and Celia Maylor.
During 2004 Eileen Halsall stepped down as conductor and has remained a choir member.
Sandra Paterson also retired as the choir`s accompanist in 2004 and was replaced by Celia Maylor who is our present accompanist.
In the same year Ian Hamilton who had been the choirs deputy conductor joined us as Musical Director.
Ian retired in 2009 and since May 2009 Alison Bletcher has been our Musical Director.
The
Ladybrook Singers celebrated their 80th Anniversary in 2008.
