STOCKPORT FAIR TRADE FAIR
William's Blog
Singing for Fair Trade
The Far Trade Fair has been a regular spot for our choir for a number of years. It has also always been our first festive performance. Sometimes this has felt a bit early, certainly for Christmas but this year the festive season seemed already well underway. So how would it go, what kind of audience would we attract and in what numbers?
Our sets began with Now Let us Sing which was a delightful and uplifting place to start. Be the Light which was based on a poem read at President Joe Bidden’s inauguration in January 2021 encourages us to fight for the world we wish to live in. The Maori song Pokarekare Ana was written to capture the experiences of Maori men serving in the armed forces in the First World War. It felt poignant to be singing this a few days after Remembrance Sunday; also this song was spontaneously sung in the New Zealand parliament after gay marriage was legalised, which adds to its poignancy and relevance.
All around my spirit is another song for these challenging times encouraging to speak our truth until the walls come down and free our spirits. Riu Riu Chiu is delightful Spanish song from the 16th Century whose chorus imitates the sound of the nightingale.
Okolo is an amazing song. It does not have a typical beat to the bar rhythm and it is sung in Czech. It does convey the pain of sexual betrayal and it is extra ordinary to hear it and even more so to sing it, especially as part of a festive performance.
Chanson seems at first like a gentle song asking the question ‘Who in the world is singing?’ but it has a very powerful chorus which is sung in several languages and insists on ‘hear our song’
May Your Cup was a lovely uplifting way to end our sets. And we had an appreciative audience for both sets so this marks a great start to our several festive performances, three more to come! And special thanks to Rose Hodgson our choir director who gets the best out of us.
International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen - Performances
You Raise Me Up
Singing, indeed being, at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME) is always a very moving experience for me. I love singing in the Manchester Community Choir anyway but there is something extra special about singing before and after choirs and dancers from many parts of the world. The Eisteddfod was set up in 1947 to promote education, international peace and goodwill through the art of music. It always seems like a curious mix to me of a community-based event (think Welsh cakes, bara brith and male voice choirs) and also singers, choirs, dancers, musicians and food from all over the world – this year there were participants from, among others, Ukraine, Czech Republic, USA, India, Trinidad & Tobago, Philippines, Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa.
Somehow the rain did not really mess things up despite the odd heavy shower! We had a really good set which we sang on two outside stages and in the centre of the town. Our songs included an extraordinary Czech song Okolo which we have only just learnt, about unfaithful love. We defied the rain by singing Lighter than Hydrogen which has the line, I love it when the sun is shining and sometimes it did! Every Brick You Take From The Wall reminded us and our audience of the hard work it takes to make real change and You’re The Voice addresses armed conflict and war which still happens in too many parts of our world. We had the pleasure of singing the Navaho Native American Indian song, In Beauty May I Walk which feels to me like a spiritual and peaceful walking song. Then we sang Rose’s arrangement of the Tears for Fears song, Shout, and then Carly Simon’s Let The River Run with its amazing music and lyrics, let the river run, let all the dreamers wake the nation. Sounds like a good idea!
We all had a great day and are looking forward to performing at the same event next year.
William West (Bass)
Thanks to our photographer, Peter Topping, for taking some great photos of this event - click on the link below to see the photos.
International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen - The Parade
Street Choirs Festival, Sheffield
Street Choirs 2024 : One Song, One Dance, One World, One Chance
Manchester Community Choir were delighted once again to attend and perform at the annual Street Choirs Festival, this year held in Sheffield on the first weekend of June 2024.
This event was particularly poignant as Sheffield hosted the first festival ( then called The Street Band Convention ) forty years ago in 1984. Since then the festival has gone from strength to strength, this year there were forty-five choirs attending from all over the country, from Edinburgh to Dorset, from Aberystwyth to Whitby, all intent on singing in glorious harmony, numbering over one thousand voices in total. It is always a pleasure to meet again with choir members from previous years and make friends with folk whose choirs are attending for the first time.
The main venue for the festival was the Octagon Centre, part of the University of Sheffield. As people gathered together on the Friday evening, after a welcoming speech, we took part in a brief run through of the songs for the Mass Sing the following day. We were then entertained by The Sparkle Sistaz, a project that enhances the lives of adults with a learning disability and/or autism through music and drama. They were magnificent and were swiftly followed by the always superb and hilarious Young 'Uns. As the entertainment went on, singers drifted in and out of the bar, intent on sampling the splendours of Sheffield's ale!
Saturday morning dawned fine with sunshine and a gentle breeze. Each choir was allocated two singings spots, scattered around the city, as always, tightly regimented (in a friendly way!). We sang outside a defunct Debenhams store, then in Pounds Park, attracting a good sized audience on both occasions. The residents of Sheffield must have wondered what was happening to their city, it seemed as if there was a choir singing on every street corner.
Shortly after mid-day all the choirs gathered in the Peace Gardens outside the magnificent Town Hall. We were welcomed by the Mayor of Sheffield and then we let rip, over one thousand voices singing in four part harmony. As it has been in previous years, it was a deeply moving experience. In the past we have experienced driving rain, freezing winds and blistering sunshine but on that day, the weather could only be described as perfect and, of course, we all sang perfectly.
Saturday afternoon and evening were taken up by two concerts, each choir was given seven minutes to perform their chosen songs on stage while the other choirs formed the audience. We were slightly unfortunate to be given the first slot back on stage for the evening concert and so didn't have as large an audience as some of the other choirs but somebody has to do the graveyard shift!! We performed 'I wish I knew How it Feels to be Free' and then blew the audience away with our rendition of 'Shout', rapturous applause! Rose, as she always does, led us brilliantly and gave us the confidence to perform to a high standard. As the concert drew to a close, the tradition of late-night singing and drinking in the bar was honoured.
On Sunday morning each delegate was given the choice of two workshops. Many choir members took the opportunity to visit and support students who had set up a camp of tents outside the Students Union building in support of Freedom for Palestine. Those assembled sang in solidarity with them.
Sunday afternoon was given over to the traditional picnic, this one in Weston Park while our hard-working delegates held a meeting to discuss next year's event.
And then we went home.
Onwards to Bradford 2025 !
Larraine Thompson (Soprano)
Mick Thompson (Bass)
Here are photos of the choir performing in the centre of Sheffield and a photo of the Massed Sing in the Peace Gardens.
Thanks to Mark Aherne for photos 1-6 and 8; Helen Patrick for photo 7 and Jackie Crookes for photo 9.
Chorlton Arts Festival, St Ninian's
Who in the world is listening?
We always enjoy performing at the Chorlton Arts Festival and this year we had the evening to ourselves. Billed as ‘An Evening with Manchester Community Choir’, we performed for an hour which included some audience participation.
We had over 50 people listening, engaged and singing with us on the upbeat song, Great Day, thanks to Rose Hodgson our talented choir director. Two of our songs, in particular, stood out for me. Firstly, the Navaho American Indian song, In Beauty May I Walk, arranged by Faith Watson (a founding MD of our choir). This has a lovely beat and repetitive lyrics that give it a meditative timeless quality and a sense that you could sing it on a long walk:‘In beauty may I walk, all day long, may I walk, through the seasons, may I walk, in peace, may I walk’.
The other song that stood out for me was Otis Redding’s glorious The Dock of the Bay. This has a painful melancholic flavour reflected in the lyrics: ‘and this loneliness won’t leave me alone’. But, and it is a big but, this is a song about resilience, about surviving come what may.
We started with the medieval song Now We Are Met in the round and then sang Chanson that invites to consider ‘Who in the world is singing?’ Next there was Shout written by Tears for Fears in 1984 but still relevant today. We also sang Every Brick You Take from the Wall which again urges resilience and then the beautiful lullaby Laula. Next up was the curious Lighter than Hydrogen which is all about the sun shining which it did for our performance! And the extraordinary song Let the River Run by Carly Simon, one of my favourites, almost hymn like, ‘Let the river run, let the dreamers wake the nation’. Finally, the upbeat Bambelela, a protest song from South Africa, a great way to end with its insistence on ‘Never give up’.
William West (Bass)
Groundwork and Stockport Town of Culture Events
Come rain or shine our voice is fine
It was a good set for the occasion. Let the river run could have been a reality(!) and I stand tall (‘My feet are rooted to the earth like a strong oak tree’) is a good way of dealing with inclement weather! We also sang You’re the voice which encourages us to speak and sing our truth without fear. And Life is too short to merely ‘dream about what we want to do with our life’. In beauty is a gorgeous Navaho chant which reminds us of our connection the planet and to one another.
So come rain or shine our choir will sing and people will gather to hear us!
William West (Bass)
Matt Holker, the Communities Project Lead of Groundwork Greater Manchester, had some kind words to say:
"I just want to extend a massive thank you to the choir for coming out and helping to make the celebration event such a success. We had a great day, despite the chilly air and the showers. The presence of the choir had a massive impact, raising awareness of the space, drawing people in and the feedback we got from people and the community was extremely positive – so thank you for being a part of it".
Thanks to John Walton and Peter Topping for the photographs.
Christmas Extravaganza at Manchester Central Library
It was great to be singing in Central Library again. This was our last performance before Christmas and one of our best - our Musical Director, Rose Hodgson, said we were amazing!
We invited our audience to Be the Light, which is a wonderful song based on the poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ by Amanda Gorman which she recited at Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. This was followed by our version of the Tears for Fears song, Shout, arranged for us by Rose Hodgson. Then we sang the lovely American Navaho Indian chant, In Beauty May I Walk.
In these difficult times it was good to sing Harbour which invites us to welcome refugees, and then the extraordinary Joni Mitchel song, River – also arranged Rose - which is both painful and upbeat as it considers escaping from emotional bonds at Christmas time. Next we sang our version of the traditional festive song, Past Three A’Clock, followed by This is Home which involved some choreography.
Of course, we had to finish with one of our favourite festive songs, Oley Leyloyla – a reindeer calling song from Finnish Lapland – wearing our antlers and ending with a ‘Whoop’!
William West - Bass
Thanks to our photographer, John Walton
Stockport Fair Trade Christmas Fair
Many thanks to Mick and Larraine Thompson for their organisation, ably assisted by members of the events and publicity team.
Festive Sunday at Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Singing in the rain
So, we have had Halloween, Bonfire Night, and on Sunday when we sang it was Armistice Day and the start of Diwali. Clearly, it was time for our first festive performance of the year! After our warm-up rehearsal in Band on the Wall, the choir sang under the canopy outside the Manchester Craft and Design Centre and sheltered from the rain unlike our amazingly enthusiastic, if wet, audience.We did not really overdo the run up to Christmas unless you include our final Lapland reindeer-calling song Oley Leyloya and, yes, a few choir members did put on their reindeer antlers! And to capture this time of year we also sang the lovely ‘Past Three A’Clock’ which invites us to hang on until the days get warmer and lighter.
To lift our spirits even further in these challenging times we sang the glorious song ‘Be the Light’ which is based on a gem of poem read by Amanda Gorman at Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Joni Mitchell’s song ‘River’ captures the pain that can be there for some of us around Christmas time, but it is a curiously uplifting song.
Despite the wet weather, we had a great time, and the audience enjoyed our beautiful harmonies. Thanks to the Craft and Design Centre for their hospitality.
William West - Bass
International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen - Performances
Thanks to our photographers, John Walton and Peter Topping, for taking some great photos of this event - click on the link below to see the photos.
William’s Blog
I think singing at the International Musical Eisteddfod at Llangollen is my favourite of our regular choir performances. I admit that I have Welsh ancestors and that I have loved hearing Welsh singing voices ever since I first heard them, as a school kid, at an England versus Wales rugby match at Twickenham, too long ago. Hearing Welsh spoken or sung does something to me; I only wish I could have had 5 years of Welsh at school rather than French!
The I M. Eisteddfod was established soon after the Second World War to bring together people from different nations to sing and dance and be peaceful. And arguably we need it more than ever. I had the pleasure of hearing and watching a women’s Welsh choir from Wrexham; a youth club group of Punjabi dancers and musicians; dancers from the Caribbean and an impromptu group in the bar singing ‘Bread of Heaven’ to name a few.
Our choir was in fine voice. Our first set was on the Globe Music Stage and our second on the Amphitheatre stage. The songs we sang had a stronger impact on me than usual. For instance,
Dock of the Bay – Sitting here a-resting my bones, And this loneliness won’t leave me alone. Or Pokarekare Ana, the Maori song True love of mine, return again, My heart is yearning, I miss you so. And then there was Harbour which invites us to welcome refugees. Or I wish I Knew How, which dreams of being all we could be if only…
It was probably(!) a co-incidence but at the end of our final song at the first set – we were finishing the delightful Happy Together – and we were singing ‘How is the weather?’ and there was suddenly a crack of thunder, then lightening and a huge downpour began. Our audience fled and we soon followed them seeking shelter. But the rain did not stop the singing and we moved on to our second set on the Amphitheatre Stage.
We came home tired but with many happy memories and inspired by the culture of the Eisteddfod – listening and watching other people sing and dance and share their exuberance in playful, warm and accepting environment. No wonder we sounded so good!
William West (Bass)
International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen - The Parade
Street Choirs Festival, Kendal
Chorlton Arts Festival
Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Be the light
Well, this was the first public performance of the choir this year.
We were outside Manchester Craft and Design Centre and facing the makers’ market. We were in fine voice having warmed up at the legendary Band on the Wall venue which many of us have attended over the years.
Our first song was Be the Light which was inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb, at Joe Biden’s inauguration, is self-explanatory, inviting us all to shine.
This was followed by the 1960s soul classic Dock of the Bay which has a huge poignancy underlined by the fact its author and performer Otis Reading died before it was released.
Then I fought back tears as we sang the Maori song Pokarekare Ana which is heart breaking to be fair. Then it was time for the classic South African anti-apartheid song Freedom is Coming and I found myself thinking this is just what Britain needs today – freedom and justice.
Likewise, Harbour, our next song about welcoming refugees, with the final verse reminding us we don’t know when we might need some help.
Then the Hawaiian song E Malama which invites us to treat our planet with true and sacred respect. Next up was the rather tricky but very joyful Let the River Run by Carly Simon. We concluded our performance with the delightful South African song Lilizela.
As Rose, our talented choir director, told the audience at the end of our performance we always welcome new members to our choir. We meet up 3 times a month and sign our hearts out. It’s great fun too.
William West - Bass
Festive Sunday at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Choir on the Wall
It has been a busy run up to Christmas for the choir, finishing our festive season by singing at the Craft and Design Centre in the Northern Quarter. For this gig we did our warm up in Band on the Wall which for many of us was a special moment in a special venue! This season was as busy as any before the pandemic and we sang from our festive repetoire of old favourites and new.
Although festive gig felt different, all expressed our choir’s take on Christmas with songs from our repetoire that celebrate diversity, equality, justice, a welcome to strangers and refugees, and love and peace. And if that sounds a bit serious well we also did our regular Lapland reindeer song complete with whoops, horns and bells!
We began the set by celebrating singing together with the 17th Century round called ‘Now we are met’ and soon followed it up with the delightful The next song resonates with many choir members as it welcomes a new grandchild, wondering ‘Who Will You Be?’ .
Next up was ‘River’ which is a poignant song by Joni Mitchell, arranged by our Choir Director Rose Hodgson. It is a reminder that Christmas is not always any easy time for so many people. It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees/ They’re putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace/ I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
To follow this we sang the powerful ‘Harbour’ written by Anna Tabbush in response to the Ukraine War. The chorus expresses the hope of the welcome refugees should receive, For our door is always open, And our hearth is always warm, When you need a place to shelter, We’re a harbour in the storm.
Following was the equally powerful ‘Be the Light’, inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The hill we climb' read by the author at American President, Joe Biden's, inauguration and arranged as this song by Leah Morris
Next, with Christmas fast approaching, we then sang the Lapland reindeer song Oley leloyla complete with bells, reindeer horns and whoops. This is an old favourite of the choir and always raises smiles with the choir and audiences.
This was followed by the Spanish 16th Century nightingale song Riu Riu Chiu that includes the words No more needless war, no more hunger for the poor, Let the world unite, helping one another more.
We then sang the powerful All Around My Spirit which invites to speak our truth, work for peace, and sing our songs until our spirit is free.
Finally we finished our set with the rousing Zulu song from the apartheid era in South Africa– Bambelela, literally translated as 'Hold fast' but interpreted in our lyrics as 'Never give up.'
Once again this was a moving, powerful and enjoyable performance that was well received by our audience and by craft centre staff.
William West - Bass
Christmas Extravaganza at Manchester Central Library
Singing in the library?
It has been a busy run up to Christmas for the choir. We sung in the Central Library which always feels a bit of a rule breaker to me!
Although each festive gig felt different. Here, as at others, we expressed our take on festive songs that celebrate diversity, equality, justice, a welcome to strangers and refugees, and love and peace. And if that sounds a bit serious well we also did our regular Lapland reindeer song complete with whoops, horns and bells!
We began each set with the 17th Century round called ‘Now we are met’ and soon followed it up with the delightful ‘Who Will You Be’ which is a delightful song about grandchildren. Next up was ‘River’ which is a poignant Christmas time song by Joni Mitchell, arranged by our Choir Director Rose Hodgson. It is a reminder that Christmas is not always any easy time for so many people. It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees/ They’re putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace/ I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
Somehow, we then had to sing he powerful song ‘Harbour’ written by Anna Tabbush in response to the Ukraine War. The chorus expresses the hope of the welcome refugees should receive, For our door is always open, And our hearth is always warm, When you need a place to shelter, We’re a harbour in the storm. Next up was the powerful ‘Be the Light’ which was inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The hill we climb read out’ which she performed at Joe Biden inauguration.
Well as Christmas is approaching we then had to do the Lapland reindeer song Oley leloyla complete with bells, reindeer horns and whoops. This was followed by the Spanish 16th Century nightingale song Riu Riu Chiu that includes the words No more needless war, no more hunger for the poor, Let the world unite, helping one another more. We then sang the powerful All Around My Spirit which invites to speak our truth, work for peace, and sing our songs until our spirit is free. Finally we finished our set with the Zulu song from South Africa from the apartheid era – Bambelela that encourages us to stand firm.
This was a moving, powerful, enjoyable and tender performance that was well received by an enthusiastic audience.
William West - Bass
Foodie Friday, Stockport Market
Raising voices, raising spirits and raising money!
What a great time we had singing at Stockport's 'Foodie Friday' last night! Not only did we bring joy to many with our wonderful singing, but we also helped to raise nearly £300 for our local branch of Samaritans. Well done to all our singers and a big 'Thank You' from Samaritans!
Thanks to John Barratt for being such a great host and to John Eaden for the photos.
Mike Gibson - Bass
Stockport Fair Trade Christmas Fair
A harbour in the storm?
With so many of us facing great challenges at this moment in time what impact on one another could a community choir have? Our first gig, in the run up to Christmas, at the Stockport Fair Trade Fare was a chance to find out. Could we lift our spirits and those of our audience?
We began our set with the 17th Century round called ‘Now we are met’ and soon followed it up with the delightful ‘Who Will You Be’ which choir member Helen introduced telling us it was about grandchildren and yes her granddaughter was there is the audience! Sweet child of my child, I know you, Sweet child of my child, who will you be? Then we sang the powerful song Harbour written by Anna Tabbush in response to the Ukraine War. The chorus expresses the hope of the welcome refugees should receive, For our door is always open, And our hearth is always warm, When you need a place to shelter, We’re a harbour in the storm.
We were getting into our set with the next number ‘Be the Light’ which was apparently inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The hill we climb read out’ which she performed at Joe Biden’s inauguration. There is always a light when we are ready to be it, To see the light, to be the light, To raise our eyes in the dark of night, To climb this hill, together we will, Be the light!
Well as Christmas is approaching we then had to do the Lapland reindeer song Oley leloyla complete with bells, reindeer horns and whoops. This was followed by the Spanish 16th Century nightingale song Riu Riu Chiu that includes the words No more needless war, no more hunger for the poor, Let the world unite, helping one another more. We then sang the powerful All Around My Spirit which invites to speak our truth, work for peace, and sing our songs until our spirit is free. Finally we finished with the Zulu song from South Africa from the apartheid era – Bambelela that encourages us to stand firm.
It was a moving, powerful, enjoyable and tender performance that was well received by an enthusiastic audience. But don’t take my word for it check out the photos and videos that are/will be on this site.
William West - Bass
