Choir Musicians
June 17th, 2007 by 
Richard Hirst
Choir Musicians
W.A Shearings Featherstone Male Voice Choir is very lucky to be served by some excellent musicians. Our Musical Director is Paul Rhodes, Deputy Musical Director is Geoff Trigg, and our accompanists are Colin Malpass and Elaine Oakley, assistant accompanists are Craig Parkin and Ben Etherington.
A chat with Paul
On July 20th 07 Paul Rhodes picked up the baton From Geoff Trigg as Musical Director for W.A Shearings Male Voice Choir. he is also MD of Sharleston Male Voice choir.
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Q: - Paul, you always encourage us “feel the words and meaning” in the pieces we perform, and you have a deep knowledge of the composers and writers of these songs but what is your musical background and what music do you listen to relax or when driving in the car?
A: _ “My love of music I caught from my parents, who were both very talented performers, my Mother a pianist and my Father a tenor. Music was a subsidiary subject at college and I taught it for many years in various schools. My passion for language led me to take an advanced Diploma at Leeds University. My dissertation was the Nature of Narrative,”
Q: - You always have a story or joke when acting as compere at concerts but have you ever started a joke and forgot the punch line?
A: - “Sometimes, in which case I waffle until it returns!! i.e. slip in another tale”
Q: - As well as being M.D of W.A Shearings Featherstone M.V.C you are also M.D of Sharleston M.V.C do you find time for any other hobbies or pastimes?
A: - “I am Chairman of Streethouse cricket club and help with the coaching of junior and senior players.
I enjoy reading especially historical novels and autobiographies. I walk every day and spend a lot of time exploring Yorkshire.”
Q: - If you had to select three songs for a “best of” album for the choir, what would they be and why?
A: - “How Great thou art———–For the power of the ideas and the beauty of the music Alexander’s Ragtime Band—-To keep every one on their feet
My Way————————–I can but dream”
Q: - When you sing in the bath or shower are you Sinatra, Crosby, Sir Cliff or someone else?
A: - “A humble theatre queue busker”
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A chat with Geoff
Geoff Trigg was the Musical Director for W.A Shearings male voice choir for nearly four years. Geoff is now the Deputy Musical Director and will take the choir for Wednesday night rehearsals. He lives near Wakefield and is also a the Deputy Musical Director of Sharleston Male Voice choir.
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Q: - Geoff, you must have performed or conducted hundreds of choral pieces over the years but which would go into your top three that you would keep on a desert island and why?
A: - Comrades in Arms, brings the best out of the choir.
Cantique de Jean Racine is a quality piece for all four parts of the choir.
Long Day Closes, is another fine piece that brings calm at the end of the day and ultimately life.
Q: - And are their some pieces that you have “struggled to enjoy”?
A: - Yes some of the modern arrangements are poor.
Q: - We all have our favourite concert venues but which are yours and why?
A:- Featherstone Methodist Chapel,a modern building with superb acoustics, grand piano and organ, second to none. Others are Wakefield Cathedral and Huddersfield town hall.
Q:- You have sung with, conducted, arranged music for and occasionally accompanied the choir on the piano but which of these is your favourite?
A:- Without doubt, conducting.
Q: - As well as being, M.D of W.A Shearings Featherstone M.V.C you are also a member of Sharleston M.V.C and play organ at your local church, do you find time for any other hobbies or pastimes?
A: - Cycling , railways both steam and diesel. Wild birds – particularly migrating species. I also build balsawood models with patients at Wakefield Hospice.
Q:- Fron Male Voice Choir have had huge success with their Album “Voices from the Valleys” going to number one in the Classic charts for a number of weeks over Christmas. Do you agree that there is a genuine interest in male voice singing and that it has a bright future?
A:- Interesting question, Although male voice choirs are generally older, they still make a fine sound.
Bright future? Yes Indeed.
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