Methodism was “born in song” and Wollaton Road has a strong choral tradition going back to the early days of Primitive Methodism. As Brian Wright noted in the original church website in 2007: “We are proud of our heritage and enjoy singing and contributing to our services of worship.”
At that time Wollaton Road had a choir of 15 members and sang a selection of anthems during the church year.
They were heard at special events and services, including a presentation of Saints Alive in 2000 by an enhanced Wollaton Road choir.
A popular annual event, the Advent service, a programme of music and readings for the beginning of Advent, was arranged for many years by choir member Barbara Brown. In 2006 the choir combined with the Korean Choir based at Chilwell Road for a memorable evening service, led by the Rev Joseph Kil.
But towards the end of 2012, it was announced that choir leader and organist Terry Cox had decided to stand down after serving our church faithfully for 27 years. Soon after the choir decided to disband, feeling they were no longer large enough numerically to continue.
But a tradition, continued by members of Beeston Methodist Church, was to sing carols at the end of Wollaton Road Church drive on the Saturday morning before Christmas to raise money for church charities.
Margaret Corrall, a long serving member of the choir, writes: “Wollaton Road has had a choir since the 1920s. Since then the following people have led the choir – Billy Bates, John Adcock, Arthur Southgate, Sid Denton, Cyril Spensley, Ian Morton, Trevor Hides, Margaret Middleton and Terry Cox.
“Organists from the 1950s were Russell Old, Tom Sheldon, Cyril Spensley, Ian Morton, Nigel Sparks and Terry Cox and the choir secretaries were Barbara Brown, Geoff James and myself.
“A popular event was an Easter cantata. While Mr Denton was in office they always took place on Good Friday or Maundy Thursday. In the 1960s it changed to Passion Sunday.
“Other musical events were Advent Service, Carol Service and Christmas concerts. For many years the choir assisted the Junior Church with their various Roger Jones’ musicals. These were always enjoyed by children, choir and the audience when the church was always full to capacity.”
Brian Wright recalls: “In the 1960s the Easter Cantata changed to Palm Sunday and the in 1980s or even 1990s to Passion Sunday. I remember doing a performance of A Grain of Mustard Seed conducted by Roger Jones himself in Birmingham and we had to perform it without the music. We also did a performance of Roger Jones’ musical Greater than Gold in the Albert Hall, Nottingham.”