The Dovedale Singers started
life Fifty years ago as a church concert party, evolving into a choir in
1960, when it adopted as its name,
the name of the road in which the then conductor lived. The choir is based
in Woodley near Stockport and has built up a wide reputation during the
time it has existed.
The choir is a four-part mixed choir and sings a very wide range of
music, from madrigals to Andrew Lloyd Webber, oratorios to nursery rhymes,
religious music to folk songs.
Under its present conductor, Philip Thornley, the choir has expanded
its repertoire and is well equipped to provide entertainment for every
occasion. These have included weddings, after-dinner entertainment and
local arts festivals, as well as public and charity concerts. It has sung in churches, church halls,
retirement homes and theatres, as well as in Manchester Cathedral, the
Royal Northern School of Music and Manchester’s wonderful Bridgewater
Hall.
In 2007, under Philip’s leadership, the choir entered the Hazel Grove
Music Festival and gained first prize in the choral class.
Sadly, our accompanist, Amanda Wilson,
who has been with us for the last four years, has removed to the south of
England. We wish her and her family well in their new home. We have a new
accompanist, Ruth Holt who has replaced Amanda and we are looking forward
to a long and happy time together.
The
choir meets for rehearsal on Friday evenings at Woodley Methodist Church,
Stockport Road, Woodley (opposite to the Navigation Hotel) from 8pm to
10pm.