The Pye Hill and District Male Voice Choir Appoint Linda Darnell as Musical Director
The Pye Hill & District Male Voice Choir (PH&DMVC) are delighted to have recently appointed the vastly experienced Linda Darnell F.I.S.M, L.R.A.M, A.R.C.M, A.L.A.M as their new Musical Director which heralds an exciting future for the choir.
Linda has an extensive stage and broadcasting career and has toured nationally with the former D’oyly Carte Opera Company. She has sung in numerous other productions in a career spanning 50 years and has performed at many famous theatres, including Sadlers Wells, Covent Garden, Nongoma in South Africa and Sydney Opera House, Australia.
Locally, Linda was part of East Midlands Music Theatre where she gave the world premiere of the operas ‘The Ghost of a Hand’ by John Ogden and ‘Moonflowers’ by Tony Arnell.
Linda has conducted and mentored many local choirs and societies, including the ‘Underwood and Bagthorpe Ladies Choir’, ‘The Underwood Singers’, ‘The Chatsworth Singers’, Ravenshead Gilbert and Sullivan Society’ and her own ensembles ‘Cantorum’ and the ‘Darnell Singers’.
Linda is well known both locally and nationally as a voice teacher and many of her students are accepted at music and drama colleges and go on to work professionally in the industry. Linda also gives masterclasses, lectures and talks about her life in music and will be celebrating ‘Fifty Fabulous Years on Stage’ later this year. Linda was made a fellow of the Incorporated Society of Musicians for her long service in the music industry as a performer, conductor and teacher.
Linda says ‘I’m thrilled at becoming Musical Director of the Pye Hill & District Male Voice Choir who I have heard perform many times in concert over the years and also once sang as a soloist in the past. I’m looking forward to directing the choir through its busy programme, including its May tour to the Isle of Wight and in September hosting Cwmbran Male Voice Choir in a joint concert. I’m aware of the choir’s history and heritage from its birth in 1903 and look forward to helping write new exciting chapters.
‘The Choir have, collectively, some very positive attributes; there being some most talented singers, and some members who have given decades of their loyalty to the choir. The choir certainly have the power and determination to bring a song to life........... which is what it's all about really; to free the dots from the printed page and let the magic begin!’
‘I share the choirs aspirations in what it wishes to achieve, its aims to increase in size, raise as much money for charities and good causes as possible, to sing at new venues, the occasional music festival and to continue build positive relationships in the local community and with other choral groups’.
‘I’m challenging the choir not to be afraid of change and place their trust in me. Enjoyment is the key word! I understand the importance for choir members to enjoy the songs they are singing to gain commitment to learning. I want everyone to look forward to rehearsal and have fun whilst perfecting songs to the choir’s best ability. By dissecting songs phrase by phrase; to appreciate the song's dynamics, the articulation, the breathing, a feeling for shape and musical direction, the balancing and blending with each other, the marriage of words and music and being aware of all this will help to produce a sound of true quality and sincerity’.
Malcolm Hill of the choir ‘feels that choir members have quickly taken to Linda and her style of teaching and respect her musical knowledge, demonstrated first by making simple but very important improvements to songs they have performed for many years. There is a buzz about the choir and Linda’s gentle humour, pleasant personality, and positive feedback make it a pleasure to attend practise and concerts’.
The choir have also been recently boosted by Dr. Peter Revill becoming President and also joining as chorister.
This is a great time to join the choir. New members are always welcome; both experienced and beginners. Come and join the choir at the Dale Club, Jacksdale on Monday evenings at 7.30 p.m. for rehearsal and fun. Further details are available regarding concerts, bookings and recruitment at www.pyehillmvc.co.uk or phone Malcolm Hill on 07706036946.