Toad Lane Concerts, Rochdale
11th June 2026

Midweek Musical Delight at St Mary in the Baum!

Every Wednesday at 12:30pm, enjoy the Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts at the stunning Grade I listed St Mary in the Baum church, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ.

Admission is just £6. As a “not for profit” initiative, your entry fee and donations directly support talented musicians, the historic venue, and music resources.

For details, contact Dr. Joe Dawson: 01706 648872.

Note: There have been 1,189 concerts since taking over the council’s Music at Lunchtime in 2001. Justifying continuity in Rochdale’s year as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

Wednesday 17th June 2026 – Jasmine Ai Higgs soprano (RNCM) & Logan Ferris piano (Manchester University)

Here are the next events to whet your appetite.

- June 24 – Telemann Baroque Ensemble – Alastair Roberts flute Elaine da Costa Sarah Snape violins John Goodstadt viola Roger Bisby cello
- July 01 – Notability Choir

Previous Performance Reviews.

Wednesday 10th June 2026 – The Nightingale Singers – Conductor Ken Greaves piano Brian Milligan

This melodious Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,189^th since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001. It has become a haven for audiences and performers alike, regularly hosting recitals by outstanding soloists, duos and ensembles from colleges and universities plus local talent … and of course, choirs. One of the latter, The Nightingale Singers (mixed voice) were founded in 1987. They rehearse at Bowlee in Middleton, Rochdale. Since 2004 they have been directed by Ken Greaves and have performed in the North of England, Midlands, North Wales, France and Madeira. If you would like to host a Nightingale concert or join the Nightingale Singers, contact Ken at kcgreaves1@gmail.com.

Today’s Nightingale songfest consisted of a variety of styles interspersed with soloists from their midst. Much of it was a capella (unaccompanied), which calls for immense effort, concentration and practise, and also with piano obbligato provided by Brian Milligan.

The cheery carousers began as they meant to go on with ‘Spread a little happiness’ a capella, and Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ with piano.

The first soloist to spring forward was Alyson Brailsford with a merry ‘Spring is spring’ from Seven brides for seven brothers. This spurred them on to more confidence with ‘42^nd Street’ and ‘Down to the river to pray’ and the unaccompanied part singing was more assured.

Second soloist, Liz Creagh seized her guitar to deliver an accomplished and poignant rendering of ‘The wind beneath my wings,’ remembering her late parents. The chorister followed this with the traditional Yiddish ‘Tumbalalaika’ and Goodall’s setting of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ with piano.

The next soloist, resonant mezzo Jennifer Workman contributed a heartfelt ‘Panis Angelicus.’ In contrast, more a capella Gershwin with ‘I got rhythm’ took us to their most successful number, with piano, ‘The green leaves of summer’ (do you remember the Brothers Four?)

Solo tenor, Martin McLoughlin’s ‘Blue Heaven’ from The Desert Song led to a nostalgic finale of ‘Don’t sit under the apple tree’ made famous by Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters during World War II. No prizes for guessing which tune was most hummed as everyone left … with a spring in their steps.

With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 – Richard Haslam classical guitar (Hull University & RNCM)

This mesmeric Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,188^th since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.

As one wit piped up at the end of the recital, ‘it’s amazing what you can do with a pretty little wooden box and half a dozen strings, isn’t it?’ It was amazing indeed in the hands of Richard Haslam, the Derbyshire-born classical guitarist who gained a post-graduate degree at the RNCM with Australian guitarist Craig Ogden in 2017, having previously graduated from Hull in 2013. He teaches privately in the Bury area and as an instrumental tutor Trafford Music Service.

Richard has given recitals as both a soloist and with a variety of ensembles. He has performed Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with Derby Concert Orchestra and Salford Symphony Orchestra and will perform it again on Saturday November 14^th of this year with Todmorden Orchestra.

The pretty little wooden box with merely half a dozen strings produces a fraction of the volume of say, the resident 8’ Challen Grand Piano’s 88 keys supported by roughly 220–230 strings. The audience had to adjust their expectations somewhat in the huge acoustic space of St Mary in the Baum, but their rewards for concentration and focus were considerable.

Variations on a Theme of Handel by Mauro Giuliani was a delight, beginning with a deceptively naïve theme and moving through charming developments of the melody and accompanying harmonies. Finger-picking the broken chords yet allowing a melody to sing out called for immense skill, which Richard pursued flawlessly.

Lagrima, Adelita and Sueno by Francisco Tarrega were elegant late-nineteenth century pieces in similar vein. By now the delicate tones were beguiling and soothing, summoning up sunny days and moody and reflective nights.

Gary Ryan’s contemporary Lough Caragh conjured up a reflective Irish ballad style, but with the intense Benga Beat he broke the mould; born out of world music styles with vocal fragments from the player and rhythm patterns tapped on the case, it produced a spellbinding cacophony. Great fun.

Bagatelles 2, 3 and 4 by Oldham-born composer Sir William Walton were fine examples of the uptake of guitar music in the twentieth century, particularly through players like Julian Bream who inspired composers such as Walton, Tippett and Britten to take the ‘pretty little box’ seriously.

We ended with a Latin American finale of the attractive Valseana and Jongo by contemporary Brazilian Sergio Assad (b. 1952) … that proved worthy additions to the repertoire.

With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.