PRUDHOE GLEEMEN
Home Page
LET
ALL MEN SING! Want to know more about our
Male Voice
Choir?
Come and meet us on Monday evenings 7:15pm at Prudhoe Methodist Church
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Home Page |
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- and how to contact us |
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- download our magazine |
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- what we sing |
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- since 1903 |
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- and how to become one |
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- and how to become one |
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- latest choir news |
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| - pictures old and new | ||
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- with grateful thanks |
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Source photograph by Steve Gladstone
Its 11th century castle was perfectly placed to defend the area from the marauding bands from the Scottish borders who at that time frequently came south looking for conquest. Our choir was founded in quieter times in 1903 (see below).
How
it all started.....
The Prudhoe Gleemen Male Voice Choir was founded in the year 1903 in
the nearby village of Wylam. The first practice was attended by eight
members of the local
Methodist
Church and took place in a field adjacent to the church. The first
conductor was the local butcher
Tom Leathard
and his daughter was the accompanist.
After some eight years during which time the choir built up its numbers and its reputation it moved to its present home of Prudhoe and the role of conductor was taken over by Harry Harland. He was to lead the choir on to some of its most spectacular successes for the next forty years. Retiring in 1951 Mr Harland was succeeded by Bob Hull another fine local musician who carried on the tradition of longevity retiring in 1981.
Colin Smith a choir member since 1969 and deputy conductor since 1975 then took over leadership of the choir. During his time the choir continued to flourish as he shared his knowledge and enjoyment of music. In 2006 Colin felt the time had come to hand over the reigns to a younger man and so Mike Summers came to be appointed as only the fifth conductor of Prudhoe Gleemen in 103 years. A relatively young man in terms of the average age of choir members Mike has an impressive musical background in both performance and conducting and he has brought his own distinctive style to the choir.
In summer 2012, Mike moved on to another appointment and was succeeded by Judith Thompson, from Prudhoe, as Musical Director. Judith has a rich grounding in music; as a singer, both chorally and as a soloist; as a singing teacher, conductor and vocal coach; and as an arranger.
Website dedicated to the memory of Jim Walker ~ Revised : 13 November
2013 ~ Design : Pete Barrett ~ Logo : Ellis Signs NE11
9EE