Anne’s 46th-year treading the boards for choral society

Anne’s 46th-year treading the boards for choral society

7 July 2021

THE St Patrick’s Choral Society has been a major part of Anne Millar’s life for almost 46 years.

As a performer, mentor, organiser and behind-the-scenes helper, Anne has played a major part in many of the society’s sell-out productions at the Downshire Hospital’s Great Hall year after year.

She has helped make the society a Downpatrick institution and a testing ground for the area’s wealth of musical talent.

However, a seemingly never-ending juggernaut of success came to a shuddering halt with the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.

Last year’s planned production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!, had to be cancelled and this year is also proving to be a blank.

But in true showbiz style, the show will go on. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the society, which was founded by the late Declan McGrady, and Anne will be there, as always, offering her help and guidance.

Planning for the landmark occasion has already begun. The society held its annual general recently when Anne was appointed chairperson — a role she has filled admirably on many occasions in the past.

Anne’s association with St Patrick’s Choral Society began on a Thursday night in September 1975 when she attended her first rehearsal. At the time she was a mother-of-one. Four children and nine grandchildren later, she is still a member.

“I was persuaded to go along by the late Lilian Lundy, who was the organist in my church choir and rehearsal pianist for the society,” she recalls.

“I have always loved singing and was encouraged by my father, who had a beautiful singing voice, but I had never thought of joining the society. I went along wondering would I be good enough, would I fit in and would I enjoy the music?

“I needn’t have worried. Everyone was so welcoming and great fun to be around. My first show was Waltzes From Vienna, a Strauss musical. I found the experience wonderful and couldn’t wait for more. A couple of years later I had my first principal role as Sombra in The Arcadians.”

Over the years Anne has taken part in many shows and concerts and made many good friends — too many to mention, she says. However her all-time favourite is Fiddler on the Roof.

“We first performed it in Down Leisure Centre in 1987. My 13 year-old son, Stephen, played the Fiddler.

“I remember a very funny story from our dress rehearsal. For the final scene we were asked to bring an old suitcase or paper bags to carry all our worldly belongings. One of our, now sadly deceased, male members was walking across the stage when our director, Roy Heayberd, stopped him. He was carrying his belongings in a plastic Marks and Spencer bag. He got the Jewish bit right but don’t think plastic bags were on the go then. We had such a laugh. He had a long time living it down. Some of our older members may still remember this.”

Another show which brings back fond memories for Anne is The King and I.

“My whole family took part in this show. All six of us. Our youngest child, Kathryn-Anne, was only three at the time. We had no babysitter so she came to rehearsals with us. When show time came the director, again Roy Heayberd, decided to get her a costume and put her on stage. She got the bug and has been performing ever since.”

The Millars are not the only family to have been bitten by the same musical bug.

Says Anne: “Several years later the McElroy family did the same thing when Brian and Ciara and their four children all appeared on stage together. Brian played the King.

“The society is a real family affair. It is also responsible for many romances and marriages, although I won’t name names to save their blushes.”

Several years ago the society formed a youth group, which has become an amazing success and an indication of what Anne says is the wealth of musical talent in Downpatrick and the surrounding area.

“We have staged many fun shows with our youth members starting with Grease. We repeated it for our youth group’s tenth anniversary when the production team consisted entirely of young people who had grown up with the society, including Gary Warnock, who was the director, Matthew Campbell, musical director, Kathryn-Anne Simpson, choreographer.

“I am so proud of all our young people and get great pleasure and joy working with them. I know that with the talent available the society will continue to entertain audiences for many more years.”

Anne has been active on the committee for most of her 46 years with the society and has had the privilege of being chairperson for many of those years.

“Audiences don’t see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. A very dedicated committee is essential and my life was always made easier by those I worked with,” she said.

“When I stepped down as chair a few years ago I was very privileged to have been made a vice-president of the society. I am now the longest serving active member and hope to be part of it for many years to come.

“Sadly, the pandemic has halted our performances over the last year and a half. With things starting to ease I hope it won’t be too long before we can start rehearsals again.

“Next year we will be celebrating our 60th anniversary and will hope to do it in style with a happy, joyful show to lift everyone’s spirits. I look forward to welcoming back our very loyal and supportive audiences. Without an audience we could not perform.”

She added: “I have missed the singing, the craic and the chats over a cup of tea or coffee. The society will be back, bigger and better and I will be back too with my other family. They can’t get rid of me.”