I left Sale Moor [parish church choir] to join St Peter’s Choir Manchester. This was the best Choir in Manchester, all Professionals, female Sopranos & Altos & 4 tenors & Basses. The Organist Mr St John the Baptist Joule was a Magistrate & a man of means, giving his services gratuitously also himself paid the salaries of the Choir & gave £1000 towards the Organ. My trial solo for admission was “If with all your hearts”. I don’t know how many candidates there were but I know there were several & my heart beat with joy when I heard I was elected. I filled the position of 2nd tenor, the first tenor being a Mr Wilson who possessed a fine tenor voice & who was also a teacher of singing. I took lessons from him for some time, which greatly improved my style of singing. One song which I always thought a very namby-pamby one viz: “I’m leaving thee in sorrow Annie” he strongly advised me to sing at a Concert, which after I had had several lessons in, I thought sounded quite a different song & I was twice encored in it.