It’s good to be back for Eileen

DR Eileen Bentley

The woman who introduced choral music to generations of local children will pick up the baton again when she conducts Oldham Choir for the first time on December 11.

Dr Eileen Bentley was director of Oldham’s Schools Music Service at the Lyceum before retiring last year.

She became a full-time member of staff at the music centre in 1973 and by 1974, had founded Oldham Girls’ Choir.

The centre was also famous for its youth choir, founded by the first head of the music service in the 1960s, Jimmy Wild, which faded away when he left. But Eileen revived the choir, and also founded a boys’ choir.

She will meet lots of past pupils and old friends when she conducts Oldham Choir at a Christmas concert organised by Gallery Oldham and held at the Oldham United Reformed Church in Union Street.

Eileen, who is also organist St Chad’s Church in Uppermill, took over as Oldham Choir conductor from Chris Johnson when he left in September.

She said: “When I came to the choir, about 12 people came with me who were also members of choirs I had started — Oldham Boys, Oldham Girls, and the Youth Choir.

“It feels like I am bringing the wheel full circle. There is a wide age range, from 28 to their 60s, and it has been great. I have seen some people I have not seen for 20 years.

“It feels good to be back and I am enjoying it. I realise I have missed it.”

The choir, which is open to all, but members have to pass an audition, rehearses at Coldhurst Community Centre.

Eileen is conducting a second Christmas concert two days after her debut Gallery Oldham concert, at St Edward’s RC Church in Lees on December 13, when a collection will be taken in aid of asylum seekers.




Tickets for the United Reformed Church concert have to be booked through Gallery Oldham.