Alan Simmons distinguished musical career has seen him taking on many different roles: teacher, inspector, choral conductor, workshop leader and now freelance publisher, composer and arranger specialising in music for schools and choirs.

His books for classroom singing have become standards in many schools. One of his latest pieces 'Energy', commissioned by the CBSO, was first performed by 1200 children in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in July 1998 and part of it was later repeated at the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall in August.

He is Chairman of Sing for Pleasure, a movement with which the choir has strong links, and conducts The Mastersingers, a small choir whose performances and recordings have received glowing reviews.

We are delighted and honoured to be giving the first performance of these lively, entertaining songs, composed specially for this occasion.

Christopher Johnson has been singing for as long as he can remember.

As a boy he sang solos at his local Methodist Church in Birmingham, and continued singing in choirs right through his school and student days. At Cambridge he sang in the University Choir under David Willcocks.

He came to Saddleworth in 1972 to take up a teaching post in Oldham and for many years sang in the Saddleworth Consort. He has been organist at the Sacred Heart Church, Uppermill since 1983.

In March 1996 he took over the Junior Choir of the Saddleworth Musical Society and has seen it grow from a handful of younger junior children into the present 60 strong choir of 7 - 13 year olds.

The choir has two sections, Main Choir and Training Choir, which rehearse separately and have different repertoires but join forces for major concerts.

Stephen Dallaway lived for most of his life in Surrey, but since he was married to an Oldham lass he and his wife made frequent visits to this part of the world.

He fell in love with the Saddleworth people and countryside and finally came to live in Uppermill in 1993.

Those who have heard his jazz improvisations will not be surprised to learn that in his early years he played in a professional dance band.

He has kept fit through being a lifelong cycling enthusiast.

He became the regular accompanist for the choir a year ago and has made a major contribution to its development.

Clare Jefferis is a pupil at Saddleworth School and an extremely gifted flautist with her eyes on a career in music.

She played with the choir at the Christmas concert in December 1998 and we are delighted to welcome her back for this Festival Concert.