Prudhoe Gleemen Male Voice Choir Neville Fairbairn James Dobson
50 Western Avenue 26 Maple Grove
Prudhoe Prudhoe
NE42 6PA NE42 6PU
Tel: 01661 832162 Tel: 01661 833895
SECRETARY PATRON CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
The choir is happy to consider concert engagements. We ask a
third of any profit made as our fee. All concert requests should
be made to the Secretary in writing. Contributions to
CounterPoint are always welcome, especially from members and
patrons. If you have something you would like us to include in
future editions, please get in touch with:
Stephen Gladstone – Editor Tel: 0191 4132655
Email: [email protected]
Have you visited our website?
See all about the choir at www.prudhoegleemen.org.uk
COUNTERPOINT
Greetings, I hope you’ve all had a good summer break.
Well it’s a year now since I took over the role of editor and quite
a lot has happened. The lads have been on their travels
performing at local venues such as Ovingham, a snowy Heaton
and sunny Ryton to further afield places like Hartlepool and
Keswick (see front page).
We have also had a change of venue for the annual concert this
year, switching from the RGS to Thorp Academy in Ryton,
hoping that it would be an easier place to get to and possibly
bring in a bigger audience. Judging from the turnout it looks to
have been a great success, so this could become our new home
from now on.
We also plan to have a Christmas Concert in December at Thorp
Academy, which will be advertised on the website and Facebook
when arranged.
The season ended as always with our Patrons’ night followed by
our annual dinner at the Gibside Hotel in Whickham.
We are now looking forward to our new season and who knows
where we will be singing during the year. So far we have been
asked to perform at Prudhoe Methodist Church during their
Harvest Festival weekend and we hope to see you there!
Steve Gladstone
THE 2018 ANNUAL CONCERT
After several memorable concerts at The Royal Grammar
School, our annual concert this year was held for the first time at
Thorp Academy in Ryton, a more intimate venue compared to
the RGS. This seems to have been a great success as audience
numbers were up from last year. This could become the new
home for our annual concerts from now on as the general
feedback was very positive.
This year’s guests were Abbey Strings two violinists from
Morpeth and a little different from our usual vocal guests.
Karen and Jessica gave a wonderful performance of varied
pieces ranging from Handel’s The Four Seasons to Gershwin,
The Kinks, John Williams, Henry Mancini and Randy Newman.
Judith had once again compiled an attractively varied
programme, arranging some of the items herself and we thank
Karen Wigham
&
Jessica Graham
Abbey Strings
her for her commitment and hard work that turns us into the
choir that we are. Our accompanist, Alison Williams, is as
always very hard working and we would be lost without her
keeping us in tune.
Our programme of choir items was as always a musical journey
around the world. After getting proceedings underway with
Sound an Alarm, we worked our way through several pieces
from Russia, America and the British Isles, then ended the night
with Amazing Grace, which Judith had arranged and was
accompanied by the girls from Abbey Strings. As a finale a
rousing rendition of When The Saints proved a great hit with the
audience.
Well done and thanks to our volunteers Audrey Gladstone and
Carole Storey who organised and served the refreshments and
the staff from Thorp Academy for their hospitality.
Musical Director Judith Thompson with Accompanist Alison Williams
We are hoping to return next year when our guests will be Beati
who will also be making a welcome return after five years.
Well done Judith Abbey Strings & Brian
President Brian Japes
and Alison Williams
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION – PATRONS
You will no doubt have been inundated recently with correspondence about
the new data legislation. The choir has put together the following
information about data we hold about you, our Patrons, and how we use it.
What data do we hold? Name and postal address
Who holds data–
Data controller?
Secretary
Who has access to data? Secretary and Assistant Secretary
What do we use data for?
Communicating choir activities, distribution of Counterpoint,
requesting renewal of Patron donation and Annual Concert ticket
orders.
Data sharing Will not be shared with any other organisation, Patron or choir
member.
Managing data Details will be deleted when no longer a Patron either through notification
or when Patron donations have not been received for two consecutive
years, it being assumed that the person no longer wishes to support the choir
through patronage. No further communications will be sent.
It is a requirement that data is kept up-to-date; in order for this to
happen Patrons need to advise of any change in contact details.
If you wish to be kept informed of choir activities between
Counterpoint editions, let the Secretary have your email address.
This data will be held on the same basis as above.
DREADFUL CHOIR JOKES
Q: How many tenors does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Six. One to do it, and five to say, "It's too high for him."
Q: How many basses does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None: They're so macho they prefer to walk in the dark and
bang their shins.
Q: How do you tell when your lead singer is at the door?
A: He can't find the key and doesn't know when to come in.
Q: Did you hear about the soprano who had quite a range at the
lower end of the scale.
A: She was known as the deep C diva.
Person 1: It must be terrible for a tenor to realise that he can
never sing again.
Person 2: Yes, but it's much more terrible if he doesn't realise it.
Q: What's the inscription on a blues-singer's headstone?
A: "I didn't wake up this morning..."
THE LADS ON TOUR
We don’t often get to travel far for our concerts, but this time the
lads were asked to perform in the lovely location of Keswick.
This idyllic setting nestles amongst the famous hills of Skidaw
and Catbells with the Derwent Lake running through it and made
for a memorable day out, concluding with another wonderful
performance by the lads.
As always we were made to feel welcome by the folk of
Keswick Methodist Church, who showed their appreciation by
giving us all a great response at the end of the night.
I was able to stay overnight and got to see the breathtaking
sunset over the mountains.
Steve Gladstone
The team photo at Keswick
Prudhoe Arts Week
Once again it was an honour to be asked to take part in this
annual event.
Judith and Alison
keeping the lads
in check
We gave great renditions of some of our vast repertoire and
coupled with soloists Howard Taylor, Ian Warburton,
John Clark, Robin Lyall, John Carr and Steve Gladstone, it made
it another memorable performance that went down well with the
people who attended.
Along with our good friends Prudhoe Community Choir who
were also on top form, we filled the room with great songs that
sent the crowd home well and truly entertained.
THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN
This record became a posthumous UK number-one hit for Eddie
Cochran following his death in a car accident in April 1960.
But perhaps what you didn’t know is that Prudhoe Gleemen have
their very own arrangement of Three Steps to Heaven. For most
of the year this beautiful artwork is hidden in the various cellars,
garages, sheds and attics of our members. But when our concert
venues demand it, this clever arrangement of plywood boxes is
called into action to create a majestic arc of theatrical staging on
three stepped levels.
Each individual box looks dull and insignificant. But closer
inspection (and a measuring tape) reveals ingenious
mathematical calculation, cool engineering design and the
diligent skills of a master cabinet maker. For those of a
mathematical bent, I can reveal that each triplet of steps adds
exactly three-and-a-half degrees of arc to the panorama and it
fans-out from a seat in the audience about eighteen-and-a-half
feet away from the first step. So, now you get to choose how
close to heaven you wish to be. But who was the craftsman?
Who was that man?
I’d like to shake his hand,
He made my Baby fall in love with me. ( Who put the Bam ...)
Pete Barrett
Footnote: Further research has revealed our craftsman as the late
Alan Nicholson, a skilled carpenter who had won national
competitions - not for the boxes though! Originally we only had
two steps, the smaller one was added later either to
accommodate greater numbers, or perhaps it was felt that the
front row need a lift up to heaven!
Neville, with info from John Carrick.
PATRONS EVENING
Our Patrons evening this year fell on Saturday 21st July, when
once again the event was staged at Prudhoe Methodist Church as
a thank you for the support our patrons give throughout the year.
The theme of the programme was songs from the British Isles
and once again we were able to delve into our vast library of
music history taking us from Berkeley Square to the Isles of
Skye, on to Dublin and finishing in Wales with Cwm Rhonda.
The choir also made a presentation to Alan Wallinger in
recognition of his time as treasurer of the choir.
Alan joined the choir in 1970 and became assistant treasurer in
1978 before becoming treasurer in 1979. This year, after 39
years of meticulous book keeping, he felt the time was right to
pass on the ‘books’ to someone else. The accounts checkers
always reported at each AGM that “the accounts were in good
order – as always. Alan Wallinger continues to do excellent
work”.
In consultation with his wife, Gladys, and with guidance from
his children, a DAB radio was given to Alan at the Patrons’
Concert. Alan can now enjoy Monday practices without having
money thrust in his hands!
The choir are fortunate to have had a volunteer (with no arm
twisting!) to take on the job – David Soulsby, with his
background in banking, is the ideal person to take over and we
wish him well in the years (39?) to come.
Name That Tune
See if you can work out the 5 songs from our repertoire.
ONLY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Answers On Last Page
Letters to the editor
A Happy New Year greetings card
with the “Y” crossed out makes a
great congratulatory card to someone
who has had an ear transplant, or at a
push has recently had a hearing aid
installed.
Simon Hoffman, York
Ray Parker Jr once famously sang
“I ain’t afraid of no ghost!”.Well
why would he? There is nothing
scary about no ghosts. It’s ghosts he
wants to be scared of.
Ada Fiddlesticks, Cromer
They say that music can take you to another
place. This is very true; I was in the pub the
other night and an Ed Shearing song came on
the jukebox, so I went to another pub.
Farmer Piles, Crawley
CHOIR DINNER
After another busy season the choir had its annual dinner at the
Gibside Hotel on Monday 23rd July.
This gave us the chance to let
our hair down and unwind after
a hectic few months of
performing.
Yet again we all had a fantastic
night of food, drink and good
chat while our grey cells were
put to test by Alan’s quiz which
had us all scratching our heads at
times.
It was so nice to have this
night out to celebrate another
year together and we look
forward to see what the next
year has in store.
We thank the staff who worked
hard and looked after us all
night and to Neville for
a arranging the event.
Anyone got the answer to question no.6?
Where’s the grub?
We’re gonna need a bigger table
ANNUAL CONCERT 2019
Plans are underway for next year’s Annual Concert. It will be
held on Saturday 18th May at 7.00pm with a return to Thorp
Academy at Ryton.
Our guests for next year are already confirmed; a return of
Beati, the singing group from Harrogate which includes Alison
and Graeme William’s daughter Fiona. More details early next
year.
KEEP UP-TO-DATE
Whilst we list our future concerts in Counterpoint, many are
arranged between editions, so there are two ways you can keep
up-to-date if you have internet access; either go to our website,
www.prudhoegleemen.org.uk and look at the 'concert diary' page
or send us your email address and we will endeavour to update
you as changes occur. Email [email protected] or
[email protected] with your contact details and your
name will be added to our database - details will not be shared
with others or any other organisation.
Thank you for your continued support of the choir.
Neville Fairbairn, choir secretary
Quotes from Classic fm’s The big book of Classical Music
"The conductor has the advantage of not seeing the audience."
- André Kostelanatz, conductor.
"Definition of a true musician:
One who, when he hears a lady singing in the bathtub, puts his
ear to the keyhole."
- Morey Amsterdam, comedian.
"It's sobering to think that when Mozart was my age, he had
already been dead for a year."
- Tom Lehrer, satirist.
Pete Barrett
Bizarre music facts
A single violin is made from over 70 individual pieces of wood.
The London Symphony Orchestra was booked to travel on the
Titanic's maiden voyage, but they changed boats at the last
minute.
During a performance of Boris Godunov at Sydney Opera
House, a chicken fell off the stage and onto a cellist.
Franz Liszt received so many requests for locks of his hair that
he bought a dog and sent fur clippings instead.
Domenico Scarlatti composed his 'cat fugue' after his cat,
Pulcinella, walked across his keyboard.
Rossini wrote the aria ‘Di tanti palpiti’ while waiting for some
risotto in a Venice restaurant.
Steve Gladstone
BECOMING A GLEEMEN CHOIR MEMBER?
Contact Neville Fairbairn—Secretary—Tel. 01661-832162 or
just come along to one of our rehearsals on a Monday evening at
Prudhoe Methodist Church, 7:15pm.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2018/19:
Correct at time of publication. More may be added later.
SEPTEMBER 15th
– Prudhoe Methodist Church
7.00pm
DECEMBER 3rd
– Corbridge Carols
7.00pm
DECEMBER tba – Christmas Concert Thorp Academy
2019
MAY 18th
- Annual Concert Thorp Academy
7.00pm
Our concert diary is never full and we are always on the lookout
for more gigs so please could members see whether contacts etc
could come up with one or two concert offers to bridge the gap.
If you have a photo you would like to see on the front cover
please email it to me so dust off your cameras.
Answers. 1.The Waters Of Tyne 2. Amazing Grace 3. Just Jolson 4. Deadwood Stage 5. To Music
CounterPoint
The Prudhoe Gleemen Magazine
www.prudhoegleemen.org.uk