Dennis Kay – A Tribute
It’s hard to put into words how much Dennis will be missed. He was larger than life, the consummate showman, who brought colour, warmth and joy to everything and everyone around him.
He may have been a lifelong Manchester United fan, but his true passion was music, and sharing it with as many people as he could.
Dennis had a varied career before turning to music full-time: a sales executive for Matchbox, coach company owner, coach driver and, with his wife Helen, owned the much-loved sandwich shop Baguettes in Rochdale.
Music had always been part of his life but, later on, it became his life.
Starting young! Dennis (L) with twin brother Lionel.
He started young, playing tenor horn alongside his twin brother Lionel on trombone in the Salvation Army band. At around the age of 19, he was the youngest ever Songster Leader at Rochdale Citadel. It was during this time that he began taking singing lessons with a local former opera singer.
Since then, Dennis spent a lifetime working with choirs and singers of all ages. He founded the Debrose Choir, named after his daughters Deborah and Rosemarie (who sang in the choir alongside Dennis’s mum and auntie).
He would also go on to direct The Rochdale Borough Youth Choir. Two members of The Robins Singers, Lauren Carter and Catherine Philpott, have known Dennis since they were little, having sung in that choir together with his youngest daughter Emma.
There’s no end to Dennis’s achievements: in 2003, he was named most outstanding Musical Director at an international competition in Prague.
You might be wondering how Dennis met Chris, our Choir’s fabulous accompanist. Well, one of Dennis’s Youth Choirs had entered Hazel Grove Musical Festival and their accompanist couldn’t be there, so the Festival allocated Chris and, as they say, the rest is history!
Around 2005, Dennis joined Tideswell Male Voice Choir as their Musical Director.
In 2008, Chris became their accompanist, and it’s fair to say that, over the last 18 years, they have been a great support to each other both musically and personally, forming a very close friendship. We've often heard Dennis refer to Chris as “his right arm”; the truth is, together they were a formidable musical team.
Chris and Dennis after another successful concert with The Robins Singers.
Dennis, with Tideswell Male Voice Choir, supported Russell Watson on his “Up Close and Personal” tour. He also had the privilege to be guest conductor with the Military Wives on a few of their concerts.
Under Dennis, Tideswell Male Voice Choir grew, gaining new members and expanding their repertoire from traditional music to musical theatre and modern material, leading to singing in bigger venues such as The Lowther Pavilion, Gawsworth Hall and Buxton Opera House.
And then there was The Robins Singers! Chris was already the choir’s accompanist, so in 2015, when an opening for a new Musical Director came up, Chris immediately suggested it to his friend Dennis. We have been so fortunate to have had Dennis as our Musical Director for the past 11 years.
Over the years, many of Dennis’s students have been part of The Robins Singers.
He was in his element bringing people together and helping them realise their full potential. He loved planning concerts and big events, making sure there was enjoyment along the way — not only for the performers, but for you, our audience.
As producer, he toured the North West with Icy Shark Productions’ A Night at the Musicals, with Chris as Musical Director and Des McGill on drums, staged prom concerts at Gawsworth Hall, and raised money for charities along the way. But he always had a special place in his heart for us, The Robins Singers.
The Icy Shark Music Team!
(L-R) Des, Chris & Dennis: Les Misérables at Gawsworth Hall, 2016.
He was an exceptional vocal coach, and took great pride in his students’ successes. Anyone who ever sang for him will remember his focus on vowel sounds: “You're singing like you speak; stretch the vowels! And nothing louder than beautiful!”
Many of his students have gone on to perform in a professional capacity in West End productions including Les Misérables and The Lion King.
Former Tideswell choir member and guest singer for The Robins Singers, Tim Robinson, is now part of The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir — this year's winner of Britain’s Got Talent!
Natalie Fooks, a familiar face and voice from our previous concerts, was BBC Young Chorister of the Year in 2023. She also sang Songbird at Dennis’s funeral — or should we say, celebration of life — because anything to do with Dennis was always a celebration and a performance.
We hope today will be a concert to remember: a chance to share memories during the interval, and to hear Dennis sing for one last time in two special recordings.
He was an entertainer, mentor, creative, but most importantly a friend to all. His legacy will live on in how we inspire others to enjoy music and sing like nobody's listening.
Gone but not forgotten.
With The Robins Singers, 2025. Dennis would always hold a special place in his heart for the choir.