Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972

Subject: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 May 18 - 07:36 AM

I've just posted the following on the Southend-on-Sea FB page & my own FB page.

'I'm hoping that someone reading this was a member of, or knows someone who was a member of, the Southend Schools Music Association Junior Choir in 1972 & remembers singing at the Royal Albert Hall on 18th May. The Junior Choir performed a work commissioned by Roy Wales specially for the concert entitled: 'Here is the News'. I am the composer of 'Here is the News' & I'm trying to locate the score, vocal & instrumental parts. They were never returned to me. I've already spoken with several individuals currently involved with music in Southend, but they have drawn a blank. I've also spoken with Roy Wales, but he was also unable to help. Is there anyone out there who has 'squirrelled away' any copies of any sheet music from 'Here is the News'? Final thought; the accompanist was the late Ian Stirling. Might there be any surviving family members who can aid me in my quest? You can validate that I am who I say I am by visiting: https://www.nigelpatersonmusic.com

                  It's a very long shot, but I'm running out of options!'
                                                                                                      Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 18 - 11:01 AM

is there a chance you might have sent a copy of the sheet music to PRS if you did they should have a copy in their archives

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall?
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 May 18 - 11:27 AM

Good suggestion, Guest. I'm pretty certain that I did not send a copy of the score & parts to PRS & I doubt that Southend didn't either, however, I'll search the PRS database just in case.
                                              Musically,
                                                             Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 12 May 18 - 02:43 PM

It might help, Nigel, if you could tell us what the concert was or what it was in aid of. Was it one of the Folk festivals at the Royal Albert round about then?

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: medievallassie
Date: 13 May 18 - 01:07 AM

I am of no use to this thread but I do want to follow it. I truly hope the age of the internet will be able to reconnect the composer to his work. I'm trying to think of a good way to access the youngsters in the choir. Perhaps an advertisement in the Southend Daily? Maybe some of them are still in the area.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 13 May 18 - 03:12 AM

Steve, the concert was sponsored by Southend-on-Sea Education Committee & featured the Southend Youth Orchestra, the Southend Boy's Choir, Southend Music School Brass Band & Recorder Ensemble, Southend Schools Music Association Choirs & the Southend Festival Chorus & Orchestra, so not a folk concert. The programme was built around Sibelius, Purcell, Bonsor, Williamson, Britten, Orff...& me! The principal conductor was Roy Wales who was, at the time, Director of Music to the Education Committee. To quote from the programme: "Tonight's concert is intended to reflect some of the musical activities in the County Borough sponsored by the Education Committee..." There were around 750 participants. One positive, the concert was recorded. I have a copy, making transcription an option, but the quality, particularly how the voices have been recorded, lacks definition so portions of the lyrics are indecipherable. I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't remember all the words, despite having written them!
       medievallassie, you have been very useful to the thread. I'm wondering whether, rather than an advert, I contact the local papers & see if they would run a story: "Composer seeks missing Music" type of thing. They might just go for it.
      Thank you, both,
                                 Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 13 May 18 - 07:19 AM

Some modest progress: I've transcribed all the words/lyrics with the exception of about twenty bars-worth which I can neither remember nor catch now! I have my transcriber 'standing by', an extremely talented musician who possess two of the finest ears in the business. He meticulously transcribed a duet of Nic Jones on guitar & myself on mandolin a few years ago. A truly heroic task, made all the more difficult because of Nic's altered tuning. The transcription was note-perfect. I'm going to contact the local newspapers in Southend tomorrow (Monday) & see if I can rustle up some interest.
                                             Musically,
                                                            Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 13 May 18 - 02:45 PM

Perhaps the organisers of, or someone involved with the nearby Leigh Folk Festival might be able to help? I think the festival has a website so perhaps you can make contact through that.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 May 18 - 02:11 AM

Thank you, Guest,RA, all suggestions gratefully received.
                                                                                             Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 15 May 18 - 06:59 AM

A little more progress: an interview with the Southend Echo this coming Friday, 18th May, which just happens to be the 46th anniversary of the first performance of 'Here is the News' at the Royal Albert Hall.
       medievallassie, the seed you planted has born fruit!
                                                                                           Musically,
                                                                                                          Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 18 May 18 - 12:25 PM

Very positive interview with an obviously interested journalist. Several photos to go with. In reality, the chances of anyone still having any of the sheet music is remote to say the least, but you never know. Work has begun transcribing the instrumental accompaniment. 'Here is the News' was my first professional commission as a freelance, following the breakup of 'The Halliard'.
             Happy 46th anniversary, 'Here is the News'. I have you on vinyl & wav.file...I really need you on paper!
                      Glass half full,
                                             Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: medievallassie
Date: 21 May 18 - 03:14 AM

I am so thrilled to hear that a news story is in the works!! I feel certain that someone will contact you from that. As an aside, May 18 is a very special date on my calendar because it just so happens to be my birthday. Seems providential, I'd say! :-)

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 21 May 18 - 06:45 AM

medievallassie, what wonderful synchronicity, I hope you had the happiest of birthdays. Work starts this week on transcribing a score from the original vinyl recording. We're hoping that the news story bears fruit because some of the words are really difficult to discern & as I said earlier, I can't remember everything I wrote!
                                                                      Musically,
                                                                                     Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 May 18 - 05:17 AM

Almost a full page spread about my quest for the missing music. The local newspaper really did me proud. I'll post a link to the story as soon as I receive permission from the paper.
                            Very encouraged,
                                                       Nigel.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 24 May 18 - 02:37 AM

The link to the story can be found Here

There are a couple of minor errors, but I can live with those, it's the coverage I need.

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: medievallassie
Date: 03 Jun 18 - 04:31 AM

Wonderful article! So glad they gave you some coverage. Are there any updates?

Subject: RE: Did you sing at the Royal Albert Hall? in 1972
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 04 Jun 18 - 09:45 AM

No response from the newspaper article re. unearthing long lost copies of the music, but I was contacted by a lady who, as an 8 year old, sang in the original choir. It was delightful to reminisce, but she couldn't help with the music. The transcription is progressing well, apart from two sections where the words are indecipherable. I have written new words for these sections, enabling me to update 'Here is the News' from 1972 to 2018...clouds & silver linings come to mind. More news as & when ...