Record Detail

Sheffield Orpheus Male Voice Quartet Choir, c.1926

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Sheffield Orpheus Male Voice Quartet Choir, c.1926
Sheffield
1920-1939

Pictured standing (at back): Ernest Broomhead (bass singer who worked as a saw maker) and seated (left to right): Mr George Horne North (1897-1930) (first tenor who worked as an electrician), Thomas Henry Ratcliffe (1880-1957) (second tenor who worked as a telephonist for the General Post Office, Sheffield) and Mr Bernard Marshall (baritone who worked as a clerk).

The Sheffield Orpheus Male Quartet performed in front of the King and Queen at the 'Not Forgotten' Association Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace on 24th September 1925 and 23rd September 1926 as well as winning various prizes at the annual Blackpool Musical Festival in the 1920s.

Mr George Horne North (1897-1930) who features in the above photograph lived at 155 Burngreave Road, Sheffield and was employed as an electrician by Messrs John Brown and Company. He was tragically killed on 31st October 1930, following an accidental fall from a crane at the firm's Atlas Works. At the time of his death, Mr North was engaged to be married to the leading Sheffield contralto singer Miss Margaret Watson (1907- 1953) and this photograph was found in a scrapbook kept by Miss Watson.

The Sheffield Orpheus Male Voice Choir comprised amateur singers drawn from a range of occupations including cutlers, grinders, miners and steelworkers. The choir was conducted (in the 1920s) by Mr Thomas Henry Ratcliffe (1880-1957) who features in the above photograph and who worked as a telephonist for the General Post Office in Sheffield. Mr Ratcliffe gained his experience under the celebrated conductor Sir Henry Coward (1849-1944) with whom he performed with the Sheffield Musical Union Choir on their World Tour in 1911.

The Sheffield Orpheus Male Voice Choir achieved considerable success in the 1920s and were habitual prize winners at the annual Blackpool Musical Festival and regular performers at the 'Not Forgotten' Association annual garden party at Buckingham Palace where they sung in front of the King and Queen.

Original photograph at Sheffield City Archives ref. X1046/1.

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