Choir still calling the tune after half a century together

THEY have performed with some of the biggest singers on the planet and have entertained crowds as far afield as Germany and Paris – they’ve even sung in a “flashmob” outside Buckingham Palace – and next month the Rodillian Singers celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The all-female choir come from humble beginnings – formed from just a handful of ex-pupils of the former Rothwell Grammar School, and teamed up after former male pupils set up a rugby club.

“It was started by a lady called Joyce Blakeley, who was one of the teachers at Rothwell School, and they basically wanted something to do when the boys were playing rugby – they didn’t just want to be stood around watching them, so they formed a choir and 50 years later it’s still going strong,” explains group secretary Kath Knight.

‘Going strong’ might be a bit of an understatement – in the last few years alone they have performed on stage with Russell Watson (and even accompanied him on his latest album) and Katherine Jenkins, not to mention mezzo soprano Faryl Smith, who rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2008.

In addition, they have made a friend of Jonathan Ansell, formerly of male vocal group G4 and a former X-Factor graduate.

Said Kath: “We have sung with Jonathan on a number of occasions already and he’s become something of a friend to the group to the point where he will be hosting our 50th anniversary bash at Wakefield Cathedral in March.”

Despite their success they’re always looking to improve.

“Even when we go into competitions, we always try to learn from other choirs, even if it’s how they are before they take the stage.”

Mother-of-two Kath, an accountant by trade and alto singer, has been with the West Yorkshire choir for seven years.

She says it has been a rewarding experience. “I started because one of my friends kept trying to get me to come down and I resisted and resisted but eventually plucked up the courage and gave in and it was the best thing I ever did, really, it’s such a lovely atmosphere down there.

“It’s like one big happy family, everyone knows each other, everyone supports each other, it’s very social, so we go out a lot for meals and other events.”

She says it can be a moving experience. “We all love singing, it can be very emotional at times. There are times when you are singing a song there’s a fine line between being professional and breaking down because in order to sing it properly you have to have emotion in your voice.”

Their repertoire ranges from Nessun Dorma to Coldplay’s Fix You and they sing at all kinds of events, from weddings to festivals. “We attend the Eskdale Festival every year in Whitby and have come top the last two years. For our anniversary we will be staging a special concert in Wakefield Cathedral, hosted by Jonathan Ansell. We’re really looking forward to it because the acoustics are just brilliant.”

Sue Gwynne is the current musical director with pianist Emma Sey and (the only male of the group) Rhodri Younger on drums. When I meet the group on their regular rehearsal night at East Ardsley Methodist Church, near Wakefield, they almost raised the roof with their singing. It’s clearly something they are all passionate about.

Barbara Idle, who will turn 77 tomorrow, has been with the group since it was formed half a century ago. “When the school changed its name to Rodillian, which is the old word for Rothwell, we changed our name too,” she says.

“We started out with something like 16 members and then after a few years opened it up to the wives of men who had been at the school – now it is open to anyone to join.

“We have sung on the Isle of Arran twice, Germany twice, we’ve sung with some big name singers but we still hold out hope of singing with Michael Bublé one day.”

The group is on the lookout for new premises because they will soon no longer be able to meet there. “The church where we meet at the moment is due to close shortly, which is unfortunate timing for us, what with all that we have going on this year, so we are on the lookout for somewhere nearby where we can practise,” says Kath.

But the choir isn’t just for those who live nearby. “We have a lot of local members but some of the people come from as far away as Hull.”

• The Rodillian Singers perform at Wakefield Cathedral on March 22. For more information call 01924 918679.