TRIBUTES
EDGAR RICHARDS was a Member of the Choir for over 55 years and was created Honorary Life President,
at his 50th year celebration. He joined the basses in the spring of 1949, and used to laugh that he
was just in time to avoid the introduction of auditioning and had about 6 rehearsals to prepare for
‘Dream of Gerontius’, his first concert with the Choir! From the autumn of 1950 until 1989, Edgar served
on the Committee, and for many of these years, he was Chairman. He was also actively involved on the
Committee of the National Federation of Music Societies (now Making Music).
In the 60s and 70s, some of his greater achievements occurred. The visit of Neeber-Schuler Choir of Frankfurt-am-Main was prompted by the cultural agreement between Birmingham, Frankfurt and Lyons, in 1966. That year also saw the first of two invitations (the second being in 1972) to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to perform at the Festival’s closing concert. Edgar would have been kept very busy, indeed!
A modest man, his life seemed to him to be quite ‘ordinary’ but to others his kindness, support and continued enthusiasm for music and singing were ‘extraordinary’! We salute his contributions and are privileged to have enjoyed his involvement, as well as knowing him for so long.
Marian Dawes
MOLLY ONIONS joined the contraltos sometime after the war, and hardly ever missed a rehearsal. She was a
popular and stalwart member of the Choir, her feisty, independent spirit and infectious giggle endearing her
to many! She was a stickler for organisation and was among the first to demand information about forthcoming
concerts and events. Molly was always eager to attend workshops and choral weekends, and derived much pleasure
from them.
Molly also had a fund of anecdotes about previous conductors – Harold Gray, Richard Silk and David Sadler, in particular.
The Choir is also indebted to her for providing the folders which we use at Concerts – she liked things to look ‘right’.
Lynne Davies
Members of Birmingham Choral Union extend their sympathy to both their families.