The Rodillian Singers began in 1964 when a group of “old girls” from Rothwell Grammar School got together to sing for relaxation and enjoyment under the musical direction of Joyce Blakey. We soon became well-known in the area and extended membership to others. We gave concerts, helping many charities, won many awards at festivals and travelled abroad to sing. When Joyce retired in 1990 the choir was fortunate to find Alec Jackson. His enthusiasm and ambition helped us to new success, working wonders in increasing membership and developing a more challenging and stimulating repertoire.

Highlights of Alec's time with us include a weekend singing in Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran, participating in the Festival of British Choirs in Paris and winning Choir of the Day (North of England) at the Sainsbury's Festival. Alec reluctantly resigned at the end of six years after constant travelling from Cambridge. The gap was ably filled by Philip Wood for a year before he too moved away.

Meanwhile Alec had settled in North Yorkshire and again offered his services to everyone's delight and relief. He stayed with us until 2002, when family commitments made it necessary for him to resign. Alec's approach to female voice choirs and singing has done a lot to make the Rodillian Singers more than just another “ladies' choir” and shows how a female voice choir can challenge and move its audience and carry off innovative and different work.

Alec's successor was Jane Edwardson, an experienced musical director of many years' standing, who stayed with us until December 2003.

Our present Musical Director is 'home grown'. Sue Gwynn sang second soprano/first alto with the choir and was also our Deputy MD. Her commitment and enthusiasm have ensured we are still winning festivals, collecting cups and singing at weddings and concerts. A recent highlight was hosting the African Children's Choir and a joint concert with Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir in April 2007. Already in the diary for 2008 is another joint concert with York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir.

Over forty years on, new members continue to arrive with great regularity, joining those of us who have been around for more years than we would like to admit! Our rehearsal room rings with good music - most of the time - and with fun and laughter as we all enjoy meeting up together.

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