The Musical Director, Mrs. Betty Buckley.
Whilst enjoying a massed male voice choir concert in the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1976, Betty remarked to a friend that she would love to conduct a male voice choir as a change from the women's and mixed voice choirs she then conducted.
The next day, she heard of the unfortunate passing of the then SMVC conductor. Three weeks later, Betty was contacted to see if she would apply for the vacant position.
She did, and was accepted with some apprehension on her part. A year's trial was agreed on each side which - technically - is still in place.
The rest, as is said, is choir history.
Betty is a regular churchgoer, and her concerts reflect this interest as the finale is always of sacred music.
Her former career as a nurse is sometimes very useful. Betty always carries supplies of tissues, throat tablets, indigestion tablets, paracetamol etc., etc. to ensure tip top performances from the choir!
Updated March 2004