Carlton Male Voice Choir have announced the passing of their oldest member, Mapperley resident Enoch Price.
At the choir’s online rehearsal, they observed a minute’s silence followed by the singing of Deep Harmony in honour of Enoch Price who passed away recently (August 2020).
Enoch is arguably the most significant and influential figure in the long history of Carlton Male Voice Choir.
Born in 1920, just twelve years after Carlton’s formation, Enoch joined the choir aged 17 in 1937 as a second tenor. His chapel upbringing meant excellent sight-reading skills, which together with his friendly and supportive nature, helped many new singers over the years to settle in.
In 1952, with the choir low on first tenors, Enoch was asked to move into the ‘tops’ temporarily and that was where he was to stay for more than half a century!
In 1954, he became Choir Chairman and held the position for a quarter of a century. His contribution was unique. Taking over a choir that was still rebuilding its strength after the war right through to the 1970s when the dynamic Bob Davies arrived as MD, Enoch was the driving force with the vision and ambition to lead the choir into the modern era and make it what we are all so proud of today.
Remarkably, Enoch kept singing and singing, even on stage at the choir Centenary Concert in 2008, before finally retiring his folder in 2012. 75 years of glorious song! This is surely an unparalleled record which is unlikely to be matched. On 13th February this year a number of the choir was privileged to take part in Enoch’s 100th birthday celebration, which was such a joyous occasion. As always, we sang ‘Deep Harmony’ and Enoch joined in – with the second tenor part!
We were all deeply saddened to hear the news of Enoch’s passing but we celebrate the long and successful life of a compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful man and a true gentleman. Certain words are bandied about quite cheaply these days, but not in this case. Without a shadow of a doubt, Enoch Price is a Carlton legend. Farewell to our friend and brother-in-song, Enoch. ‘Sweet Is The Work’.
