Helen Kay, Denis Kay and I outside St Mary in the Baum church, Rochdale.
Dennis Kay is the Principal Conductor and Director of Music of Tideswell Male Voice Choir. Helen Kay, Dennis’s wife, works alongside him providing ideas and support in every aspect of the choir’s life. Dennis joined the TMVC when there were 30 or so members and in the intervening 8 years the group has grown to 63 members.
Helen’s role is multifaceted. Dennis and Helen are very much a team and they have worked together to bring about changes that have resulted in the choir becoming less traditional and more adventurous than many other similar groups. Together they are able to make things happen – Dennis by painting in broad brush strokes and Helen filling in the detail. Helen plays a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of many aspects of the choir’s larger events. Her attention to detail spans programming, sound, lighting, costume, dressing room arrangements etc. etc. and Dennis would be lost without her! (and her spreadsheets!!)
1. I know that you both met through Music, would you share how you met with my blog friends?
Well, actually it came about as a result of Helen chatting to her daughter’s music teacher at primary school. Helen’s mum was a singer and Helen enjoyed singing in the school choir when at senior school. Her daughter’s music teacher was, at that time, a member of Dennis’s choir in Rochdale and suggested that Helen went along. The rest, as they say, is history!
2. Do either of you play any instruments, if not which instrument would you choose to learn from scratch?
Yes, we both do. Dennis can play most brass instruments with the exception of the trombone. However, he would have loved to play the piano, and play it well. Helen had piano lessons from the age of six until she was sixteen but was ecstatic to be able to abandon them when studying for ‘O’ levels! She does, reluctantly, bash out a few notes at choir rehearsals if Chris gets held up in traffic and she also played for the singing lessons which Dennis used to offer.
3. Dennis, how did you get involved as the Musical Director of the Tideswell Male Voice Choir?
Eight years ago Dennis decided, after almost thirty years of directing choirs, to retire. Within a matter of weeks he received a ‘phone call asking if he could help out at Tideswell. The choir had just parted company with its M.D. and needed someone to see it through the following two or three months until a replacement could be found. Dennis does say that he wondered what he had taken on, but was impressed and encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of the thirty or so members. After three months the choir asked him whether or not he would consider accepting the position on a permanent basis. Eight years on still wondering “why?” but still enjoying the job.
Catherine Riddiough, Christopher Ellis, myself, Dennis Kay and Helen Kay.
4. Choosing repertoire is very difficult, how do you decide what to do each year? Do you plan monthly or annually?
This is indeed a very difficult area, but generally Dennis attempts to plan repertoire at least two years in advance. He firmly believes that, being in the business of entertainment, it is important to keep abreast of the times and have a deep awareness of what brings people out of their homes to see and hear live music.
5. How long does it take to perfect each song?
Actually Dennis does not believe that perfection is ever reached because each time a piece of music is performed, different emotions come to the fore. For Dennis it’s all about the moment.
6. What is the most enjoyable thing about running a choir?
The challenge of directing a group of singers and relaying your inner emotions to them that ultimately brings to life words and music that at the outset are merely dots a piece of paper.
The Tideswell male voice choir at St John’s Church, Tideswell.
7. How did you meet Christopher Ellis, the accompanist for the choir, your right hand man?
It was a happy coincidence that, some years ago, Dennis heard Christopher at a music festival in Hazel Grove and was immediately struck by the inspired and sensitive accompaniment which he provided for several of the classes. In due course, when seeking a Principal Accompanist, Dennis contacted Chris in the hope that he could persuade him to fill that role and was delighted by Chris’s acceptance.
8. How do you recruit more members for your choir, it has grown into a large group of men now?
In 2010 Dennis decided to run a twenty six week project entitled ‘Come and Sing’. This resulted in thirty new members joining the choir. More recently he did a similar project but this time for just six weeks. As a result of the choir’s success new members are attracted on a regular basis. The turnover in membership is very small but we do lose people for varying reasons from time to time and so it is important to continually welcome new recruits to the team.
9. How much of your week does the choir planning, preparation, concert booking, arranging, and rehearsing etc. take up?
To do this job properly requires total commitment and a clear vision for the future. The choir rehearse twice weekly and perform around twenty events annually. All of this takes up a huge amount of time, requires great effort and planning and many, many, telephone calls. Helen and I work late into the night putting together programmes, writing editorials etc. etc. so we endure many sleepless nights. From putting out the chairs, to stepping on to the concert platform and, everything in between, takes up most days of the week from dawn to dusk and beyond, without Helen’s love and support, I simply couldn’t achieve what I do.
Dennis Kay and the Tideswell male voice choir at Gawsworth Hall.
10. Helen, do you wish it was a mixed choir? Or do you think that male only choirs are easier to manage ?
That’s a really good question. Having been part of an all female choir myself I wondered what it would be like working with an all male chorus. The fact is that there’s not much to choose between them. LOL ! Do women gossip more than men? No! In fact I have found that an all male group exhibits most of the same characteristics as an all female group! I don’t have any experience of being part of, or managing, a mixed voice group so I can only guess what the dynamics of such a group might be. I do miss being able sing myself so I suppose a mixed choir would give me the opportunity to perform, however, I would probably get into trouble for being naughty!
11. How many events have TMVC got booked for next year? And am I included ? LOL
The calendar next year is taking shape. January to April is reserved for working on the choir’s programme for the forthcoming concert season and hopefully recording a CD. However, in late March 2014 the choir will be visiting St. David’s in Pembrokeshire. The concert season proper will commence in April and we already have a number of events confirmed. Of course you will be involved Charlotte
I hope Buxton, 9th November, is already in your diary and as soon as we get the date for Gawsworth we’ll let you know, and that’s just for starters!! Don’t worry there will be plenty more
Wonderful post, you sure are talented and have such a great group of talented people around you as well. Beautiful… 🙂
Thank you, the Tideswell Choir group are great to know, many of the men are so generous with their time they help out at amateur music festivals as stewards and assistants to the adjudicators so that the events can run, the young singers, musicians and speech competitors are so lucky to have these opportunities. I’d love to see a real life rodeo; your photographs are fabulous you almost feel like you’re there.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for the marvelously entertaining video! (I do love musical theater.) Your interview is the next best thing to being in England and being able to know and work with these great people!
That’s lovely Susan thank you; do you still direct a choir? At the music festivals I used to enter there were categories for reading aloud rhymes and poetry, I didn’t enter them but they gave me some great ideas for monologues and many of the children had perfected their speeches so well it was a great opportunity to listen to them.
All the best
Charlotte
Really enjoyed this on a rainy Sunday. Thank you
It’s a pleasure, I like to learn about other people’s lives don’t you? It’s a beautiful day in Cheshire, NW England today, very mild for September and sunny ;). I hope it keeps up all day because I’ve arranged a photo shoot in Manchester after work and I’m using the metro link carrying my dresses and shoes and washed out hair isn’t a good look!
Best wishes
Charlotte
That was a lovely interview Charlotte,I got to see you with the choir at Gawsworth Hall.Your joint beautiful version of one voice and you’ll never walk alone gave me goose bumps.It was a great night and I managed to get my tickets for Buxton.
That’s great 🙂 I am happy that you enjoyed it, I’m so glad you managed to get your tickets they sold out pretty quickly. See you on 6th October.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This was great! Loved the video and the interview.
Thanks Marey, I love watching the men performing this song, you can tell they really enjoy it, I always want to walk on after it in my toweling robe singing ‘I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out Of My Hair’ LOL 🙂
Thanks for dropping in, keep in touch.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great post!!! 🙂
Hi Daniella, loving your crochet pictures, those hangers are a great idea for my fancy dresses to stop them getting hanger marks and those crochet/knitted boots are fab, the red ones with roses all over them are great for toasty legs and feet in the winter, where are they from?
Glad you enjoyed the post,
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Charlotte I googled them but most are on Pinterest, I can try to find the owner 🙂 and the hangers I am preparing to make some, just let me know if you are interested and what are your favorite colors 🙂
Charlotte that was an inspirational insight into the work and planning that go into producing truly awesome concerts. Dennis and Helen make it look effortless, I didn’t realise the time and effort that is put into the background of each concert. Where do they get their inspiration from? Do they have to have a vast repertoire of music and how do they arrange all the different types of songs for a male voice choir? I love the fact in one concert they can diversify between traditional/show songs to rock and pop. Keep up the good work both of you and I look forward to seeing you all, including you Charlotte, at the Plaza in Stockport.
Hi Gilly, glad you got your card craft blog up and running, I’ll have to tell my Nana to take a look she’s always looking for new ideas. Have you done any wedding packs; invite; order of service; table name card; that you could take a picture of I know a couple of friends looking for ideas?
I’ll ask Dennis your questions the next time I see him and get back to you.
All the best
Charlotte
Thank you for the illuminating questions and answers.
The choir sings with passion and fun.
It’s always great to see the audience smiling or sad depending on what the choir are singing they really can move the audience. I enjoy singing along with them too it’s great fun ;). Thanks for taking the time to comment I appreciate it. Have you ever wanted to or joined a choir?
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have a squeaky kind of voice.
Hah, possible tenor then 😉
That was a fun interview; they sound like very lovely people. 🙂
Hi Stephanie, it was a fun interview, I learnt such a lot for example: I didn’t know Dennis played brass instruments or that Helen shared my love of practising piano ;).
The response to question 5 is excellent, I’m going to write that down and remember it. 20 events each year is a brilliant achievement and the choir raise such a lot of money for charity that I am proud to work with them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A nice article about a very interesting couple. I was especially drawn to what Dennis was quoted as saying, that [he] “does not believe that perfection is ever reached because each time a piece of music is performed, different emotions come to the fore. For Dennis it’s all about the moment.” That’s a beautiful perspective.
That was my favourite quote too Darrell :).
Thanks for your message.
My best wishes
Charlotte
I loved this post! I have an interview later this month to be the Music Director for a similar sort of group (well, a flute choir. . .), and I found Mr. Kay’s insights to be very helpful. I just wish he lived in my area so I could beg him to do a practice interview with me before the real thing!!
If Dennis was local to you I’m sure he would have loved to offer his advice he’s a very helpful man, I’m pleased you enjoyed the interview and the best best of luck to you for your interview I’m sure it’ll go great.
All the best
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte!
I love seeing people enjoying what they’ve chosen to do even though its obviously hard work, keep it up! And the performance made me smile, thx! 🙂
Hi Lauren, I’m glad I made you smile, I love to be busy.
Thank you, best wishes
Charlotte
I know this is totally off-topic, but my goodness, that blue dress is just stunning! *smile*
I think it’s one from Coast, it’s a lovely colour, I like vibrant colours in my clothes 🙂
All the best
Charlotte
What a fantastic work