WELL KNOWN singer Jane Hobson is the new musical director of Skelmanthorpe Male Voice choir.
It is the first time that the choir, currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, has had a woman conductor. The singers are delighted to have a first rate musician at the helm and will sing their first concert under Jane’s leadership at Denby Dale Methodist Church on April 4.
Jane, who also runs her own choir, is well known as a soloist in the area and has guested with the Skelmanthorpe Choir on a number of occasions.
Choir chairman Keith Norton, who sings second bass with the Skelmanthorpe men, said the singers have been without a permanent conductor for almost a year. Norman Bailey, the choir’s deputy conductor, has been leading rehearsals.
Keith said that the choir was now looking to a period of stability under Jane’s leadership and said that the choir would welcome new members.
There are currently about 40 singers in the Skelmanthorpe Choir. It was formed in 1934 and the first rehearsal was in November of that year.
Rehearsals are held every Tuesday, alternating between Pilling Lane Methodist Church in Skelmanthorpe and West Wakefield Methodist Church which reflects the two general areas from which many of the singers are recruited.
The choir will be joined at next month’s concert at Denby Dale by the musical members of the Robertson family from New Mill.
Skelmanthorpe will also sing at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Wakefield on April 24 where their guest singers will be from one of the school choirs. The concert is in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
The choir will be involved in a number of events during the year to celebrate the 75th anniversary with all eyes on a concert at St Paul’s Hall in Huddersfield in October where they will welcome as their guests the renowned Mastersingers.
