In the 'Beginning was the Word' was the title of the programme by Mr Joe Stanhope and Mr Stanley Hoyle who are both members of the Rossendale Male Voice Choir in their return visit to the society.

As the title was taken from the Gospel according to St John, Joe explained that when a head teacher at Christmas he read this particular part of scripture. He continued that from the dawn of mankind the hitting of two objects produced sounds and slowly from grunts man made his own sounds which became understandable to others and thus spoken and later sung language developed.

Joe for the first part of the evening took the song 'My Lord, What a Mornin', the choir had to learn this and he continued by explaining the techniques used for preparing for a performance. This particular work was sung by the Rossendale choir at a recent visit to Whitehaven, where 200 singers drawn from different choirs sang together.

The recording heard gave insight into how, with its stopping and starting for questions and explanations, a work develops in rehearsal. He took us through the preparations and responsibilities of the accompanist, conductor and the choir. It was explained how it is necessary to take individual words of a song and ensure they blend, fit and complement the music as the composer intended. Music and words must sit together to enable the latter to reflect the former.

Male voice choirs have four parts: Tenor, Second Tenor, Baritones and Basses, each in turn have a role in producing a seamless blend of sound. In singing long phrases it is essential that breath control be staggered across the whole choir so it will not be noticed. Voice projection and pronunciation are very important. Individual words are sung differently than their spelling e.g. sound is sung sownd; this helps in the flow and gives a more even delivery. Singing takes place on the vowel and consonants begin and end a word. There were a number of stories about the choir and also information concerning its activities and history.

The second part of the evening was handed over to Stanley, who is involved in recording the choir's repertoire and is keeper of the large sound archive. From his wide historical knowledge we were given fascinating details as the introduction to the items heard.

From 1973, a radio broadcast of the choir singing: Sleep Baby Sleep - a good example of the bass range, so important for a choir, Wolf - recorded at King Georges Hall, Blackburn and O Mary Don't You Weep.

The Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhuser can have its problems as the choir is required to sing an unaccompanied section; there was no evidence of any difficulties. The German town of Bocholt is twinned with Rawtenstall and on a visit the choir sang Marina, humming had been introduced, which is not in the original, to give shape; the piece has a lively piano part.

For a concert in the church of St James the Less in 1996 the choir sang The Old Woman. The choirs' conductor for many years had been Beatrice Wade, her pupil Janet Lancaster sang Va ga Luna, by Bellini. On the October 8 the choir will be in competition at Biddulph, the test piece, Alexander's Ragtime Band, is still in rehearsal. After hearing it both Joe and Stanley commented that it was still being worked on to achieve perfection and was much better since the recording had been made.

To end the evening Gilbert & Sullivan - The Ghosts High Noon from Ruddigore.

At various parts of the evening members had the opportunity to ask questions and it was evident from the answers that Joe & Stanley are dedicated, expert and enthusiastic ambassadors for this wonderful choir.

For information about the Society's activities please contact Mr R W Hall, secretary by telephone on 01706 823490.

RWH