The Armed Man

In 2016 the opportunity arose to take part in the inaugural Mrs Sunderland Festival Adult Workshop and Performance.

As this presented a second opportunity to perform The Armed Man, previously having performed it with CSI:Halifax at Halifax Minster in 2011, I jumped at the chance.

Besides a enjoying a fantastic sing and a really memorable day we were treated to the amazing laser light show created by Harry Meredith, son of our conductor for the day Thom Meredith and CSI:Halifax’s choral director Lynn Meredith.

Popular Opera 2018

I did have to put aside personal reservations and musical tastes to attend both the Opera for All and indeed the Proms Favourites workshops in subsequent years.

Focusing on the social experience of singing with friends as much as this off my beaten track music both workshops were surprisingly enjoyable.

With these, and other,  workshops led by Thom Meredith we knew that we were in safe hands.  His direction of both the Musica Youth Orchestra and we  singers with skill and and good fun underpinned the success.

Proms Favourites 2020

This return to the risers of Huddersfield Town Hall marked my final performance before the Covid19 pandemic brought singing to an end for me for over three years.

Again I had mixed feelings about the content of this workshop but again found it to be a rewarding challenge.

In February 2026, 10 years since that landmark first (and in my opinion the best) Armed Man choral workshop, I decided to participate for one final time. In the past decade my musical tastes have matured and I now want to interact with and sing uplifting and popular songs.

The theme chosen for 2026 was music from ‘Stage and Screen’. With such a rich seam to mine I felt a little disappointed with the song choices, hoping to go out with a bang, so to speak. Three (for me) quite dour classical pieces were only lifted by the medley from West Story. Even that felt a tad dated and highly at odds with current USA affairs!

Nonetheless a really enjoyable and sociable day reuniting with some singers from my earlier choral experiences. As always led by the talented Thom Meredith, accompanied by Chris Pulleyn on Piano and the brilliant Musica Youth Orchestra.

I shall always remember these stretching experiences favourably and thank the Mrs Sunderland organisers, Thom and Chris for the opportunity.