CYM 50th Anniversary Concert - 20th May 2016
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Our 50th Anniversary Concert on Friday 20th May was a fantastic success, with members past and present performing for a packed Civic Centre. The concert began with our current members performing a range of music from our concert programme, before a number of presentations were made.
5 year awards were presented to Choir members Emma Padley, Georgia Griffiths, Abi Dangerfield and Katie Johnson, while Band members Alfie Southernwood and Charlotte Lister and Choir members Chloe Wilson and Matthew Williamson earned attendance awards. Our adult helpers were presented with flowers or wine to thank them for their continued support, and our Executive Committee members were recognised in a similar way for all the work they do behind the scenes.
Band members Victoria Mallory, April Bell, Michael Ladley, Louise Forster and Billy Beacroft were made Life Members, as was Matthew Williamson in the Choir. Congratulations to them all. The presentations concluded with the annual transfer of the Vice-Presidency from Kath Smart to Audrey Forster.
The second half of our concert featured a number of invited past members in both the band and choir as we performed some of our favourite pieces from the last 50 years. The concert ended with a couple of special items, the first, 'Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace', an a capella hymn sent to us especially for our 50th Concert by Paul Weckle, a former member of Musical Youth International. It was MYI that inspired the formation of Castleford Young Musicians back in 1966. The final item was another 'nod' to MYI, our regular closing number The Battle Hymn of the Republic. This always brings our concerts to a rousing finish, but even more so this time round with even more past members joining us from the audience to perform.
Photo: Vin Maher
During the night a presentation was running showing photos and memories from the last 50 years. If you missed it, here it is for you to watch at your leisure!
Thanks to everyone who got in touch via social media following our concert. Here's a selection of the messages we received (thanks to Vin Maher for the photos)
"Many thanks to everyone for a wonderful evening....loads of lovely memories" Ruth Flint
"It was a fantastic show. It was lovely seeing the past choir members crying at the end of the songs. You could see how much it meant to them" Claire Lancaster
"Such a nostalgic evening for me… thoroughly enjoyable. The YMS was a major part of my childhood from 7-17. So many great memories - especially Great Yarmouth. A big thank you to all of you who keep the YMS going, especially Rodney, Ralph and Phil. Hope it's still around in another 50 years Jxx" Jane Stretton
"I was in the band in the mid 70's and hearing music we played like skyliner....Porgy n Bess n the very emotional Battle Hymn at the end and to be there with my mum and dad who took me to all the rehearsals and came to all the concerts back in the day.... meant a lot. Well done x" Julie Andrews
"It sounded fantastic; brought back so many lovely memories" Teresa Davis
"Amazing night. Didn't sleep very well had return of the Jedi in my head all night which is one of my fav band numbers. Lovely to have Rodney conducting us again. Lovely to see everyone and lovely memories. Peter kept saying mummy is that u on that photo yup it is. Very proud to be a present member and thank you for very much for my flowers. CYM member for 35 years or more and very proud to be"
Suzanne Wadsworth
"Had a fabulous but emotional evening. Loved singing again and seeing loads of faces from my past. Brought back loads of lovely memories to me. Mum and dad (Margaret and Jim Banks) would have loved it!! I could imagine dad stood on the balcony conducting to 'skyliner' and 'porgy and bess'" Catherine Richards
"What a fantastic night! Went to sleep with Battle Hymn in my head and woke up with it still there. Thank you YMS (because that is what I will always call it!) for the beautiful flowers...that was a lovely surprise" Karen Ferrier
"What a nostagic evening. I came up from Nottingham for the concert and wasn't disappointed, well done everyone. I would have loved to have played with you all (I last played my clarient in the band in 1987 before heading off to Uni when I was still Julie Clough!) but couldn't get the rehearsals. Loved the Gershwin then and now and I sang the Battle hymn for once from my seat. My only disappointment, where have all the marvellous Mr Greens frilly dress shirts gone?! Keep up the good work all" Julie Upton
"Well, back in the day when I was 17 I never imagined I'd be sharing the stage with my daughter at a YMS concert. What a great night. Thank you Ralph Jaggar et al" Jill Clapham
"A fantastic concert, thank you CYM for a great evening. Well done to ALL who contributed in whatever way" Jayne Padley
"An amazing night of music. Loved every minute of being on that stage. Our friendships have lasted more than 30 years and we all picked up where we left off. Huge part of my life for so many years and I just fit right back in. Thank you for having me back CYM (although It will always be YMS to me). The Battle Hymn just finished it off perfectly! Xx" Louise Edwards
"Just took part in an amazing concert for CYM 50th Anniversary. Really glad I decided to take part it was like the old times; loved it xx"
Julie Britton
"It was amazing....lovely to see everyone and spend time with you all over the last few weeks. Proving tonight that CYM friendships last a lifetime" Richard Barker
"It was an amazing night… I loved being up there again performing with my old YMS pals. You've sparked our enthusiasm and reignited our friendships. You all do a brilliant job as volunteers, unpaid and are so dedicated to the cause. Thanks to all past, present and future leaders of this valuable group who help local young musicians to develop life long talents and skills. Without the experiences that the YMS/CYM provide, we wouldn't be the people we are today. Long may it continue" Christopher Barker
"What a fab night, just like the old days xx" Tracey Chappell
"Our show is almost over the lights are turned down low, our melodies we hope you've all enjoyed, it's time for us to go.......had a fab time tonight at the 50th concert. Thank you to the current members for making us past ones really welcome too" Andrea Balance
"It was a lovely evening and you all should be very proud of what you have all achieved over the years. It was lovely to see you all again. Xxx" Rebecca Walker
"It was an excellent concert, you need to be commended for your commitment!" Kate Beacroft
"The best ever…it was brilliant everybody's hard work came together beautifully. A very special event that many people felt privileged to be part of. Xx" Phyllis Harvey
"Was a great night, well done to all involved" Graham Smith
"Amazing concert… enjoyed every minute x" Dawn Elizabeth Walton
Many thanks to those who contacted us by more traditional methods, including the two below!
Karen Gourlay, Head of Short Courses, Leeds College of Music:
"I want to say thank you for inviting me to the 50th Anniversary Concert for Castleford Young Musicians.
"It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and wonderful to see to many talented musicians of all ages share their joy of making music. It was good to talk to Phil Clarkson the band director and meet other musicians involved in CYM. I even made contact with an old school friend who I had lost touch with (Diane). Thank you also to Sarah and committee members for making me feel so welcome.
"I know it is a cliche, but working with young musicians we see how music and singing and playing in ensembles like CYM has the power to change lives.
"Thank you again
Karen"
Rob Clark, Head of Music, St Wilfrid's RC High School (and past member)
"I'd just like to say a big thank you and well done to everyone involved in the 50th celebration of the Castleford Young Musicians last Friday. It was great to see so many old faces and a shame not to see others who have made a huge contribution to the society during its time.
"It's a real credit to all of you that the society has lasted as long as it has and hopefully it will continue to be a very valuable ensemble for the musicians in the surrounding areas for many years to come.
"I think you all deserve medals for your commitment and time you have inputted over the years. Great to hear some of the old numbers as well as some of the new ones; I've been singing the Battle Hymn all week!
"Well done to all involved! Rob Clark"
Below are three letters relating to our 50th Anniversary. The first is from Diana Green, the 'Arts in Education' Program Manager at the Alabama State Council on the Arts and sister-in-law of our President Rodney Green. The other two letters were written by our Musical Directors and sent to the Pontefract and Castleford Express following our Anniversary Concert.
