There will be a new man in front wielding the baton when one of the longest-running choirs in the Isle of Man performs later this month.

John Riley will take up the mantle of musical director for the Manx Festival Chorus in time for the choir’s performance in St George’s Church, Douglas, on Sunday, February 23.

An experienced musical arranger, conductor and accompanist, John takes over from the retiring musical director, Dr John Bethell, who stepped down after leading the choir through its entire 50-year history.

The choir was formed by Dr Bethell, who has also been awarded an OBE for his services to music. He formed the choir in 1968 to sing live for a BBC programme and, after renaming it the Manx Festival Chorus, has kept it alive ever since.

Mr Riley says that it is a difficult task to step into the shoes of such a knowledgeable and experienced figure, but that he is relishing leading the choir through his first concert.

’I have been the assistant deputy conductor for many years now, and I was approached and asked whether or not I would like to take over,’ said John.

’Obviously, I said yes, I would. It is a very nice honour to be asked to lead a choir such as this.

’In the past I have taken rehearsals many times, but I have never taken charge of a full concert. That is quite a different thing to do.

’It is a bit of a daunting task though, to be taking over from John Bethell. He has done wonders with the choir over the years, but I am looking forward to it. John is not the sort of person who will just retire, though. He turns 80 in April, and still runs the Erin Arts Centre, so he is not someone who will easily walk away from something.

’He will still be a very valuable person to have around.

’As conductor I will be able to chat to him and consult him about possible future works.

When Mr Riley leads the Manx Festival Chorus into their first concert, they will perform two popular works, ’Requiem’ by Faure and ’Gloria’ by Vivaldi.

They will be joined by three guest soloists, soprano Jane Corkill, contralto Jane Mayne and the current Cleveland Medal winner Matthew Quinn.

’I have chosen these two popular works for my first concert, as really I wanted something that wasn’t too tasking for me,’ said John.

’These are pieces that most of the members would be at least slightly familiar with, and they are only short pieces, so they should do nothing that will cause us any difficulties.’

Remarkably enough, though Mr Riley is leading the choir into its 51st year, there are still singers who first sang with the choir during its first concert, 50 years ago, who will be singing alongside some of the choir’s newest members.

’We have had some excellent rehearsals recently, and quite a few people have come and joined us. We are now 50 strong, and that is a good number for a choir.

’We have a few new members this year, but we actually have a few founding members, who have been with the choir since it formed more than 50 years ago, which in itself is quite remarkable.

’The choir itself was very large at one time when it was first formed, and we used to do all sorts of major works in the Villa Marina with an orchestra.

’But numbers have dropped slightly in recent years, as there are so many demands on people’s times nowadays, and also there are so many choirs which people want to be involved in.

’It is not unheard of today that some people can be in four or five choirs at once.

’I admire them, as I can just about cope with ones I’m involved in.’

Outside the Manx Festival Chorus, Mr Riley is also a hard-working and keen member of many local musical and arts circles.

He is the musical director for his ’Musicale’ choir and the deputy accompanist and deputy conductor for the Isle of Man Choral Society.

A retired headmaster, Mr Riley was also the chairman of the Isle of Man Arts Council for eight years and is the current vice chairman of the Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival, better known to most as the Guild.

Tickets for the February performance by the Manx Festival Chorus are £10, available on the door.

by Mike Wade

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