When we celebrated our Silver Anniversary in the 2002-2003 season, we asked some of our older, sorry, more experienced members and friends to describe some of their favourite memories...
"25 years on, my brother William's vision of a cross-community
music society continues to inspire us and a thriving Society is a monument to
all who took up the challenge and devoted themselves to it with the same selflessness
as the Founder members. I am proud to be President and congratulate all those
who have sustained and nurtured the Society and our Youth Group throughout the
years. Lastly I wish to thank you - our audiences - who, by your continued support,
have made our efforts worthwhile."
John Curran (Hon. President)
"We in Rosemary Church Choir congratulate Fortwilliam Musical
Society on twenty-five years of music. Their first production was held in Rosemary
Church Hall and later, Billy Cairns, their
musical director and our church organist and choirmaster, arranged for several
joint productions of Songs From the Shows at Rosemary and other venues. He further
initiated combined presentations of music for Holy Week, which has been ongoing
for nearly twenty years. These provide a thriving and important cross-community
link in North Belfast. We value this link and firm friendships have been established
over the years. May our joint efforts long continue to be a feature of life
in North Belfast."
I Crowe (Choir mistress, Rosemary Presbyterian Church)
"What are you?" asked an unknown and stony-faced gentleman.
I glanced along the corridor of sacred statues and felt, to quote Tevye and
Moses, like a stranger in a strange land. "Actually, I'm a Protestant,"
I almost apologised, "But I don't really have any religious or political
convictions." The chiselled features of the inquisitive gent broke into
a broad grin, giving way to a deep laugh. "No, no! I mean are you a Bass
or a Tenor?"
Eighteen years later, I'm still embarrassed by that ignominious introduction
to Fortwilliam Musical Society, but happily, my inquisitor, none other than
Michael Blair, and I have shared many a
laugh along the way. From my first production, The Wizard
of Oz to this season's Pirates
of Penzance it has been an association of much success and happiness. I
remain indebted to the Society for giving me my first break as a director and
for continuing to support me, and I treasure the enduring friendships that have
stemmed from our mutual love of all things musical. I wish them continued success
for the future."
Peter Kennedy (Producer)
"Since joining Fortwilliam Musical Society in 1981, it
has given me great pleasure not only to act as musical director but to travel
with the Society through the wonderful world of the musical - from G&S to
Oklahoma!. The Society displays
not only a great cast of excellent soloists but a fine dedicated and musical
chorus, one of the best to found in the amateur movement. Over the years, the
Society has not only served the north of the city but given endless pleasure
throughout the province.
Congratulations on your twenty-fifth. Keep up the good work for many more years."
William Cairns (Musical Director and
Chorus Master)
"I first performed the duet "A Tale of Cock and Bull"
with Michael Blair in Yeoman
of the Guard some twenty years ago. Little did I realise how apt a title
this was to be. Suffice it to say, Michael's lugubrious Shadbolt to my Jack
Point was not supposed to be the Fred Astaire of Fortwilliam - nor was it -
but he was there, every night, right steps, if half a beat late! But Yeoman
was an award winning show for both of us and one of the happy memories of my
long career."
Ernie Huntley (former producer, performer and M.C.)
"One remarkable evening in 1977, William Curran and Gerry
Deignan called to my house. They were madly enthusiastic about their new project
and asked me to join. Those were bleak days, especially for me as I was not
long widowed. Joining the Society opened up a whole new life for me. It was
fun and the shows were great but I must admit my best memories are of friendship.
It has always been a source of great personal satisfaction that as a Society
they have been recognised for their quality of choral work. Good luck for the
next twenty-five years!"
Mary Mallon (original Chorus Mistress)
"Oliver! was my first production
with Fortwilliam. I was only twelve and had the privilege of playing the part
of the Artful Dodger. I loved every minute of it and instantly became addicted
to performing. When the youth group was established I was delighted. All this
gave me a great grounding in performing which I carried throughout my professional
career. I have lots of memories, all of them good and I wouldn't have missed
the experience for the world."
Mary McNally (former Youth Group member, now a professional actress)