Golden concert is a hit

ON song: The Oldham Choir’s 50th anniversary concert at Oldham Parish Church

Oldham Choir marked a glittering milestone by celebrating its 50th anniversary with a summer concert at Oldham Parish Church.

The choir, led by conductor Eileen Bentley, welcomed former conductors Wendy Andrew, Imelda Shirley and Christopher Johnson and Jill Wild, daughter of Oldham Music Centre and Oldham Choir founder James Wild, to help the celebration. Oldham-born former member and now international singer Melanie Marshall also performed.

The choir was set up as the Oldham Youth Choir in 1963 by James Wild, made up of members from various school choirs across the borough. It became the Music Centre Singers under conductor John Boyce and later the Oldham Choir, performing at concerts, competitions, trips abroad and a royal performance for Princess Margaret.

The choir represented the UK in the International Choir Festival at Vaison-la-Romaine, France, twice in the 1960s and claimed first place in England in BBC Radio 3’s “Let the People Sing” contest in 1978 and 1981.