Behind the Baton: William E. Westgarth MBE

Every successful choir needs more than voices — it needs leadership, patience, and belief. For the Consett Citizens Choir, that guiding force was William E. Westgarth MBE.

Known to most as “Willy” — though rarely within earshot — Westgarth was the organiser, conductor, and quiet driving force behind the Choir’s early success. Many of the singers who stood before him in the late 1940s and early 1950s had never sung in a choir before. Some had no formal musical training at all. What they did have was enthusiasm, and Westgarth knew exactly how to nurture it.

With a gentle baton and a calm authority, he transformed a group of ordinary townspeople into a disciplined, confident choir. Rehearsals were taken seriously, but never joylessly. Westgarth had a remarkable ability to bring out the best in people without intimidating them — a skill that earned him enormous respect and loyalty from the Choir’s members.

Beyond rehearsals, he was deeply committed to widening access to music in the area. He encouraged young people, welcomed newcomers, and believed that music belonged to everyone, not just the professionally trained. Under his guidance, the Choir’s repertoire expanded, their confidence grew, and opportunities began to open up beyond Consett itself.

In later years, Westgarth’s contribution was rightly recognised with the award of an MBE, but long before that honour, his impact was already clear. He didn’t just teach people how to sing together — he showed them what could be achieved when a community worked in harmony.

By Raymond Agar