Ailsa's Blog: Meet Our Members: Myrtle Kracke
My love of music was very much influenced by being brought up in Wales. I loved the culture and never lost my love for hearing Welsh Male Voice Choirs.
I was sent to piano lessons and when proficient enough, was required to play at my father's mission hall where he was a minister in Tiger Bay, Cardiff. I also remember trying to play their organ which had to be pumped by hand. My brother hated doing this and it often led to many an altercation.
The grammar school I attended had an after school club called Urdd which was to encourage the Welsh language and culture in young people. We had a choir, recitation and folk dancing and our school competed with other schools to get to the finals each year in the Urdd Eisteddfod which was held in either North or South Wales. We were lucky to be able to go each year to compete. It took place in Whitsun week and it was a great honour for the school if we won.
I moved to Seaford in the late sixties and joined the Seaford Operatic Society, enjoying parts in productions, especially Old Tyme Music Hall and Gilbert and Sullivan. In the nineties, John Underhill started a community choir which I joined and when he went on to be Musical Director of Seaford Choral Society, a few us followed him. I also joined the Heritage Singers which John conducted in Eastbourne.
I have been in the Choral Society ever since, enjoying the music and company and appreciate all the hard work the Committee do. Having Veronica and John is superb. Long may it continue.
