Midsummer’s Eve Concert for the Golborne Ex-Miners

The men were in fine voice last night as they performed the annual Midsummer’s Eve concert in aid of the Edge Green No.09 Mining Memorial. The programme was varied, featuring traditional choral classics to popular repertoire.
The concert opened with great gusto as the choir performed their first two items, ‘With a Voice of Singing’ followed by ‘Let There Be Light’. The first set concluded with a rousing arrangement of the traditional 19th Century Hymn, ‘Onwards, Christian Soldiers’.
True to form, Haydock presented various solo items, the first by our very own Dennis Anderton which was very well received. Well done Dennis!
Our second set focused on events much closer to home. We opened with an arrangement of the song ‘Take Me Home’’. The words provided much to reflect on.
The choir featured a beautiful and poignant poem written and performed by Haydock member, Bob Welch. The choir finished this set with another popular choral arrangement of the piece ‘Homeward Bound’.
In true Haydock spirit, our next item featured a duet entitled ‘The Gas Man’ performed by Gordon and our very own Musical Director, Dan Craddock. It was certainly a winner with the audience!
The first half concluded with arrangements of ‘Grace’, ‘Just George!’ with the obligatory banjolele accompaniment and ‘Love Could I Only Tell Thee’.
The second half started off with the rousing arrangement, ‘Rachie’, followed by the male voice classic ‘American Trilogy’ featuring Organ accompaniment. The choir concluded their first set with an exciting arrangement of the spiritual, ‘Wade in the Water’.
Tonight, the choir bid farewell to our amazing and talented accompanist, Rachel Fright. Dan and the choir wish her all the best for the future. Rachel performed her solo ‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Enigma Variations which was performed with poise and elegance. Rachel will always have a place with us at Haydock.
It’s almost impossible for Haydock now to perform a concert without including the popular march, ‘When the Saint’s’… I wonder why?!
The concert concluded with a stirring performance of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’, ‘We Rise Again’, and of course as the encore, ‘New York, New York’.