GLEDHOLT Male Voice Choir has two reasons to celebrate.
First, it has appointed a top notch local musician as its new musical director.
Second, the choir is hosting its 60th anniversary gala concert in May.
The appointment of Susan M Wilkinson to direct the choir could not have come at a better time.
‘‘The choir members are really looking forward to working with Susan in preparing for their gala concert on May 10,’’ said the choir’s chairman, Raj Beadle.
Susan Wilkinson is a highly respected musician, former Ofsted Inspector, teacher trainer and local authority music advisor.
She has spent many years in education teaching children and has put all that knowledge to good use leading the award-winning Huddersfield Choral Society Junior Choirs.
She began her musical career by studying with Professor Shackleton Pollard in Halifax.
She then went to the Royal Manchester College of Music, where she graduated in piano and voice.
Gledholt MVC was formed in 1948 when a group of men from Gledholt Methodist Church formed a double male voice quartet.
They sang at local churches, old people’s homes and hospitals.
Gradually, they became the Gledholt Glee Singers, then the Ripley Singers before emerging as Gledholt Male Voice Choir.
As it celebrates a musical milestone the choir is also looking to the future with this new appointment.
