TV

www.haydockmvc.com 01744 734176 secretary@haydockmvc.com

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We try to plan at least one weekend away in the UK every year and to organise occasional trips abroad, though these are becoming less frequent now. Very often these trips are subsidised from Choir funds. Our wives/partners always travel with us so much so that we request complimentary tickets as part of our concert fees so that our wives can support our concerts.

Rehearsals

Tuesdays: 7:30 PM: Haydock Conservative Club, Belleraphon Way, Haydock, WA11 0GT (by Tesco)

Fridays: 7:30 PM: St. Helens Parish Church Hall, Church Square, St. Helens WA10 1AF

If you would like to find out more, why not come to a concert or a rehearsal? Check Engagements for concerts or contact Alan Gaskell by email or telephone 01744 734176. Alternatively speak to any choir member whom you may know - see Members for a list of our names.

Although Haydock MVC has been featured on the television throughout its history, they have made five appearances in recent years. In November 2003, "Sky TV" Outside Broadcasts invited them to provide a short programme of entertainment before the start of the Rugby League International Test Matches at Hull and Huddersfield. To sing in front of capacity crowds of 25,000 as well as untold numbers watching on television at home was a wonderful experience.

In September 2004, the Choir was featured on ITV’s "My Favourite Hymns" - which celebrated the 19th Century "Welsh Revival". This was a terrific accolade for an English choir to be asked to participate in the programme. As well as singing with the congregation, the choir sang two solo hymns which appear regularly in our own concert programmes - "Gwahoddiad" and "Morte Christe". The photo (above) is an actual screen-shot taken from the programme. We became aware during this recording that TV production crews have to overcome many unexpected events during a recording session. On this occasion two coaches bringing members of the congregation from Cardiff, had broken down on the motorway and would be delayed. In the event, neither coach did arrive so the recording continued with some nifty camera work to conceal the loss of some 100 of the congregation! During the delay, we were asked if we could put on some impromptu entertainment for the congregation already in place. Our conductor at that time, Gary Hill, who was known as a natural Showman rose to the challenge by leading us through an impromptu concert, including unaccompanied and audience participation songs like "Yippo Ee Eye Ty Tay". One of our tenors - Neil Forshaw - who was en route to a George Formby Convention was persuaded to get his ukulele banjo from his car and to perform well known George Formby songs. We obviously made a favourable impact because the Programme Producer, Debra Prinselar, invited us back, in late November 2004, to record another edition of "My Favourite Hymns". This time from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, where we joined the congregation to celebrate Easter 2005 (complete with daffodils)! No hiccoughs, this time but we were greatly amused by a rendition (with actions) of the complete Bible in five minutes by two local Theatre Studies students!

This was followed some months later by an invitation from BBC2 to sing with the Colne Valley MVC at the opening ceremony of "Euro 2005" (the Womens' football European Cup Finals) at the Manchester Stadium under guest conductor Dr. Haydn James, of the London Welsh Male Voice choir.

We are still keen to perform on TV but so far......no takers!