Bringing Harmony to North Staffordshire  

IT IS WITH REGRET that we have to announce that our much respected conductor and director of music, Margaret Ward, has returned to her homeland, Australia. She has worked tirelessly since the choir was first formed tin 1993 to give us a happy singing environment and bring us to our current good standard of performance.

WHEN WE STARTED to sing together, Margaret had never conducted a choir before. However, she did have a good musical background, and had the confidence to learn the necessary art, with us tagging along behind her, so to speak. Much to the benefit of the choir in general, she attended regional conducting courses, which illustrated her dedication and commitment to the choir. Her general enthusiasm and good humour carried her and us through many a crisis, which few of the listening audiences have noticed!

HER PHYSIOTHERAPY background was applied enthusiastically with chest, neck and breathing exercises before each practice session and concerts . Although there were always many jocular exchanges during these callisthenics about control-freakery etc., most of the members felt them worthwhile. Maybe a practice that would be beneficial for other choirs!

HER ANTIPODEAN BACKGROUND also encouraged her to add music from around the world to our repertoire, and certainly "Waltzing Matilda" and "Five Miles From Gundagai" will stay with us for a long long time to come. Her love of Europe and Germany especially encouraged her to try to get us to sing in foreign tongues such as Welsh, Yiddish, Maori, French and German with varying success.

NEEDLESS TO SAY we shall miss you very much, Margaret, and we wish you every success in the future back home in Australia. Perhaps you will have the opportunity to practice your skills with another choir over there. You never know, we might even arrange a singing cultural exchange trip out there some day. "Auf Wiedersehen und Vielen Danke" Margaret. Look after "The Dog on the Tucker Box"

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