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Helen Hill
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Helen Hill
(Accompanist : Frank Wilcock)
in a
Grand Celebrity Concert
with the
Rushden Temperance Band
(Conductor: W. A. Scholes, Esq.)
and the
St. Cecilia Singers
(Musical Director: C. T. M. Francis, Esq.)
(Accompanist: Mary Gomm)
at the
Palace Theatre, Wellingborough
Sunday, 18th February, 1951, at 2.15 p.m.
Programme — Sixpence
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The Y.M.C.A. - Its Aims And Its Activities
TheYoung Men's Christian Association was born in "the Age of the Great Religious Societies"; that period in the latter half of the eighteenth and the first half of the nineteenth centuries which also gave birth to such institutions as the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, various Missionary Societies and Sunday and Ragged School Unions. The first Young Men's Christian Association formed in London in 1844 consisted of twelve young men, the moving spirit being George Williams, a young man of 22. Three were Anglicans, three Congregationalists, three Baptists, and three Methodists. From its inception the Y.M.C.A. has been a layman's movement, interdenominational, and an auxiliary of the Churches, directing its efforts towards those not normally reached by ordinary Church agencies.
The aim of the Y.M.C.A. is to win youth to Jesus Christ, and to help them in the development of Christian character. In pursuing this aim the Movement has been led step by step to provide for the educational, social, and physical needs ot young men and boys, as well as for their spiritual needs.
Within five years of the founding of the first Association, a "dual membership" had been adopted consisting of Full Members, who are committed to the Christian way of life and therefore to witness and service, and Associates, who do not accept the obligations of Full Membership. Both share alike the facilities provided by their Local Associations, but only the former control policy and management.
The success of the Y.M.C.A. in London encouraged the establishment of Associations throughout the British Isles and abroad. As early as 1855 it was possible to summon the first International Conference in Paris, when the World's Alliance of Y.M.C.As. was constituted. In 1882 a National Union for England and Wales was formed which later became the National Council for Y.M.C.As. Y.M.C.As. in Scotland form a separate National Movement although co-operating closely with the National Council in many ways.
On 31st March, 1949. there were nearly 400 Local Associations and Clubs in England, Ireland and Wales, with a membership of over 82.000. of whom nearly 39.000 were under 20. This total included over 7.000 girls and young vvomen. The World's Alliance of Y.M.C.As. number over 3.600.000 members belonging to more than 9.600 Local Associations in some 77 countries of the world.
METHODS
Young Men's Christian Associations seek to achieve their aim through the example and influence of their Full Members, and through a fourfold programme of activities—religious, educational, social and physical—which is organised in an Association Building. Connected with most of these Buildings are playing-fields for outdoor games and recreation : many Associations in addition have their own camping sites.
Activities are planned to make a special appeal to youth in adolescence and early manhood. Members and Associates are encouraged to undertake a balanced programme and not to limit themselves to one activity only.
A lame degree of self-government is maintained in all Y.M.C.A. work, both with boys up to 18 and with young men over 18, who are all encouraged to take responsibility for their own affairs, and to offer voluntary service. Three-year Training Courses are arranged for Voluntary Leaders
Throughout its history the Y.M.C.A. has worked in close co-operation with the Christian Churches and is represented on the British Council of Churches, and its Youth Department. Close co-operation also exists on a world level. Young men and boys are encouraged and assisted to become active members of the Church of their own choice.
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| The Rushden Temperance Band
was formed in November, 1875, and is one of the oldest Midland Bands. It has had a remarkable run of success for a strictly amateur band, and is thus well known throughout Britain.
As a Broadcasting combination it is regularly engaged in the Midland, Home and Light Programmes.
As a Concert Band, the "Temps", as they are commonly known, are engaged in most of the prominent Parks of Towns and Cities within a radius of 70 miles. Engagements for 1951 include Derby, Northampton, Coventry, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dunstable, Cambridge and some two or three visits to London to play in L.C.C. Parks.
The Band is fortunate in its soloists, Mr. Geo. Sayer receiving National Honours when he became the Champion of Great Britain 1946-7. Mr. Ron. Benning was Area Champion in the same year, and last year was awarded the 1st Prize at Fodens' Solo Contest among 62 entrants.
For three successive years the "Temps" have been prizewinners at the September Belle Vue, and this is regarded as a remarkable feat for an amateur band.
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The St. Cecilia Singers
Between the two world wars, Rushden had a leading choir, in the Adult School Male Voice, and by its work in competitions, its frequent concerts and its five broadcasts, became well-known over a wide area.
It was from the Adult School Choir that the St. Cecilia Singers came into being in the Autumn of 1943. The war had brought the old society to a standstill, and the Conductor, Mr. C. T. M. Francis, was left with only a small remnant of his Choir. But the tide of Britain's fortune had turned, and amid the new-born optimism, singers of both sexes were gathered around the "remnants".
Their chosen name pleased, their singing developed well under firm and competent direction, and their services for concerts and broadcasts were welcomed throughout the district. By paying their own expenses and supplying their own artistes, they have spread cheer from many a platform.
Much has been accomplished in the seven years of the "Singers" existence, many major Choral Festivals have been visited with great success. First Prizes and Championship Cups have been obtained at Leamington, Leicester, Wembley and Oxford, to name a few. Broadcasts have been fairly regular, which proves that the standard of the Choir has been maintained.
The Singers are now awaiting, with hope and interest, the Area Final for the Festival of Britain, to be held at Cambridge on March 10th. and, if success is obtained, a visit to the new Concert Hall on the "South Bank".
The success of the Singers is due to the fact it has a fine Conductor and Musical Director in Mr. Francis, and the credit must go to him.
E.H.D.
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Part I
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| Choir and Band |
Crimond |
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| Band |
Light Cavalry — Overture |
Stiff E |
| Choir |
(a) Country Garden |
Cecil Sharp |
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(b) Druid's Prayer |
Gordon Davson |
| Helen Hill |
(a) Art Thou Troubled |
Handel |
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(b) As When The Dove |
Handel |
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(c) Let The Bright Seraphim |
Handel |
| Band |
Spotlight On The Band's Soloists |
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| Choir and Band |
The Bridal March - "Lohengrin" |
Wagner
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| Helen Hill |
a) Operatic Aria — I'm Always Called Mimi (La Boheme) |
Puccini |
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(b) Waltz Song — Tesoro Mio |
Becucci |
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(c) Sitting By The Window (17th Century Air) |
Desmond |
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INTERVAL
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| Ballet Music from Faust |
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Gounod |
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Part II
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| Band |
(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) Love Could I Only Tell Thee |
J M Capel |
| Band |
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| Choir |
(a) Just As The Tide Was Flowing |
Vaughan Williams |
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Finlandia — Tone Poem |
Sibelius |
| HELEN HILL, Choir and Band |
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Abide With Me |
Liddle |
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Thankyou All
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Clifford Rigg - General Secretary
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"THE KING" |
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Helen Hill - (Soprano)
Helen Hill has broadcast on more than 450 occasions, in every type of radio programme. Concert appearances have been at Albert Hall, Queens Hall, and all important London and Provincial Concerts.
Oratorio
Helen Hill is establishing herself in this exacting branch of singing, in which her beautiful voice and fine technical equipment qualify her for a high place. She has sung successfully "Messiah", "Elijah", "Hymn of Praise", and Brahm's "Requiem". Repertoire includes also "The Creation" and "Judas Macabaeus", and is constantly being added to.
Concert Operas
include "Merrie England", "Tom Jones", "Rebel Maid", "A Princess of Kensington", "Haddon Hall", etc.
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