The New Mill Male Voice Choir spent another memorable rehearsal weekend on its annual winter visit to Scarborough. Over 50 members gathered at the seaside town, enjoying both the coastal views and a shared love of singing. Rehearsals were in full swing, with the choir tackling Nessun Dorma and Nella Fantasia—in Italian, under Bass section stalwart Emidio Zamberlan’s expert accent coaching. A remarkable feat for a group, most of whose first language is West Yorkshire. The day’s rehearsals were punctuated by choir member solos, including a memorable turn by David Thorpe as Groucho Marx and the award of the ‘Afterglow’ Trophy for best contributor to evening entertainment to John (Ibbo) Ibbotson.
Most members repaired to the Highlander Pub on Saturday night for a lively singalong. Old favourites like ‘Pratty Flowers’ (the Holmfirth Anthem) and ‘Hail Smiling Morn’ were followed with fresh songs by newer members: ‘The Manchester Rambler’ was greeted enthusiastically, despite coming from the other side of the Pennines; ‘Drunk and Disorderly’ and ‘Philip My Dear’ (Google it!) brought a Caribbean flavour to affairs. The evening was rounded off by John Ibbotson celebrating his trophy, with a song which got past the censors at a memorable performance in New Mill Church a few years back. See the Armstrong and Miller version.
The camaraderie and joy shared by all was made possible by the efforts of organisers Tom Ashworth and Adam Brown, with the team at the Weston Hotel, who made sure we were well looked after. We look forward to returning to Scarborough next year.
Steve Petrie
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