1974-2022
The “Senior Citizens Orchestra” was founded in 1974, 52 years ago, by Judith Perrin (later McClean) who worked at the Music Service.
Judith went on to be the head of the Music Service holding that role and being a respected music advisor for many years. She received a Mayor’s citizens award in 2007 for her involvement in music education throughout Calderdale and her passion for music, and enthusiasm at the helm, inspired both children and adults to make music a significant part of their lives.
This history is pieced together from the collected memories of various orchestra members, most of whom are still playing with us (as of January 2026). It quickly became apparent that memories of the orchestra are intertwined with the memories of Judith herself as she was such a well-known and warm character with a huge personality and in writing the section of our history the two became inseparable.
This history of our orchestra is compiled from assorted references by many people. Memories vary, and so it is difficult to ensure accuracy. If you remember things differently, or have information that differs from that stated here, then please pass those on to webmaster@calderdaleseniororchestra.org so that they can be considered for inclusion.
We don’t know exactly what Judith had in mind when she first founded the orchestra in 1974, but throughout her time, the orchestra met a real need for musicians who are in the later years of their lives, and having various ability levels, to enjoy performing together. There doesn’t seem (according to Google) to be many orchestras throughout our country meeting this particular niche and we have been very privileged to have such a group established in Calderdale. No audition was required to play in the orchestra and it accommodated musicians playing at different levels. New members were always made welcome.
Playing together was a time filled with enjoyment and fun for all, but Judith made sure that, when we played to an audience, we were good enough to impress. To this end she would at times arrange for other musicians to come and support the orchestra by playing with us, adding volume and helping to give the orchestra a bit more confidence as they played.
Concerts during Judith’s time were well attended, in part because she was a well-known personality in the area and managed to attract large audiences, certainly enough to more or less fill the church building at Holy Trinity & St Jude’s. As well as the 2 formal concerts a year in the church, there were frequent performances by the orchestra as an alternative to the weekly rehearsals. They played to other senior citizens’ groups in the community, a number of schools and also, enabled by Judith’s late husband being the director of the Hospital Trust, at the hospitals around the area.
Care Homes tended to be a squash to play in, but were very worthwhile and the visits were always appreciated by the residents and staff alike. Annual performances were made at Calderdale Royal hospital (with Christmas dinner being provided afterwards) but also further afield with a concert at Harrogate hospital (a trip made on buses with Judith providing mince pies etc as refreshments on the way) and at a hospital in York.
The repertoire of the orchestra was very varied and included many light music pieces with audience participation greatly encouraged, but they did also play some more challenging ones.
On one occasion “Peter and the Wolf” (Prokofiev), including a narrator, was attempted which was reported to be great fun and “La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie)” (Rossini), is remembered as being a big challenge but one member said “we managed to just about play through it in the end”.
After the Orchestra was mentioned on TV on one occasion, Geoffrey Kinder (a well-known local musician & composer) contacted Judith and the result was the writing, for the orchestra, a set of variations based on the tune of “Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at”, called Cranbrook Variations. The piece received its premiere on July 7th, 2015 in the orchestra’s summer concert at Holy Trinity & St Jude’s. We do not know what happened to the scores of this particular composition but unfortunately it is no longer in our music archives. (Other memories indicate it is possible that Geoffrey Kinder’s connection with the orchestra actually dated before this time – as far back as 1985)
Judith was quite a character. She occasionally would hold a lunch at her home for the whole orchestra, a lovely social occasion, she gave orchestra members a small easter egg at Easter, she annually provided strawberries and cream for the whole orchestra after a late summer rehearsals and in turn the orchestra would look forward to seeing what Judith would turn up wearing at the concerts – it was always something very eye-catching.
Judith McClean continued to act as our Musical Director for about 48 years, until 2022, long after her retirement from the Music Service, and just a year before she died in 2023.
She is fondly remembered by many and as an orchestra we want to seek to continue the legacy she left behind.
2022 – 2025
In September 2022, Calderdale Music took up the reins of leading the orchestra and providing a conductor for us. Firstly Seth Livingstone, and when he moved on Mark Wheeler, and Mark Donlon each stepped up to the role in their turn.
This took us through the next few years until in mid Autumn 2025 Calderdale Music found themselves unable to continue to support us. At their suggestion, and at very short notice, the orchestra became an independent group, and we appointed our new musical director, Chris Irvin.
And so to NOW
The legacy Judith left us would have us provide an opportunity for all retired musicians (or those approaching retirement), of varying abilities, to play in an orchestra. We would be able to welcome enthusiastic beginners who are taking up an instrument, or maybe a new instrument, in retirement, but we would also give the opportunity to experienced musicians to continue playing and continue to be challenged.
At the same time, we would continue upholding the principle which Judith began, of
Making together the best music of which we are capable each and every time we perform.
This website was first published in early 2026 when the orchestra was still at the beginning of its new journey. We look forward to seeing, along with you, what we will grow into through the coming months and years.
Watch this space . . .