In the opening words of a well known song, " Where do I begin to tell the story…..?  
 
In my case, it began at my first GMPMVC rehearsal on 6th April 1976, where having been welcomed by
the Musical Director, Les McKeever, I was introduced with due reverence to the lady at the piano - not just  
a pianist, but our accompanist. The lady was of course June Preece, a founder member of the GMPMVC,
who became a much loved friend to us all and was one of the greatest assets the choir has ever had.
 
In the years that followed June became one of those "part of the furniture" people, always there, ready to  
play almost anything at a moment's notice, and content to be in the background (often hidden behind the  
piano!) rather than in the spotlight. She knew, of course, just how much we appreciated her, not only for  
her musical input, but also for her wry sense of humour lurking behind the outwardly benign countenance.
Indeed, her exchanges with our former Musical Director, Robin Mundy, were legendary, both in rehearsal  
and concert, helping to nurture a happy atmosphere for singers and audiences alike. I'm sure that a similar  
situation existed at the Salford Musical Theatre Company, where she was also held in high esteem as their
accompanist, a position which she held for many years until ill health intervened.
 
The choir has made many recordings over the years so June's piano accompaniments will always live on, but  
on one occasion she had a special claim to fame. The guitar playing singers Brian and Michael topped the  
charts in April 1978 with "Matchstalk Cats and Dogs", their tribute to Salford born artist L.S.Lowry, and June  
was given a speaking part when we sang on the follow-up L.P. of the same name, revelling in her one line in  
“Sid, Sid, the Cellar Grid Kid", performed with all the poise and flair of a true thespian. However, June  
commented typically that she wouldn’t give up her day job with Greater Manchester Police, where she was Secretary to the Chief Superintendent of Stretford's M Division.
 
June went with the choir on most of our tours, often sharing her accommodation with another much loved  
choir stalwart, Deputy Musical Director the late Marjorie Crossley. June was a smoker, Marjorie definitely
wasn't, so in June’s capacious handbag, containing many never to be revealed treasures, there was usually a  
little tin box for the collection of ash and the disposal of unwanted cigarette ends. Many places in the UK were  
graced by June’s musical talents, as were Sweden and Finland, where to her great surprise her name  
appeared in a caption whilst the camera focussed on her hands caressing the keyboard during our appearance on Finnish TV. It was on our many and varied travels that June’s love of food and a little tipple was well  
manifested and it was always a joy to see the smile spread across her face when such delights were mentioned, accompanied by a resounding “Ooh, yes please.”

June was unable to join us on our two visits to Germany in more recent times, or to play at rehearsals and
concerts over the past couple of years, but resolutely to the end, when anyone enquired about her health,
the reply was usually the same, "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can". Sadly, that return never came,  
and on 22 December 2010 the lid on June's piano of life closed for the last time. Many people have come and  
gone since the GMPMVC was formed in 1974 but very few have been as dedicated and respected as June,  
and in the Autumn of 2010, this was duly acknowledged when she was made an Honorary Life Vice-President  
of the choir, a richly deserved accolade which June was as surprised as she was delighted to receive.
 
Marjorie Crossley often referred to the choir as "Her Boys", and it's a fitting tribute to say that June Preece
was indeed "One of the Boys".  Thank you for all you gave us June, I'm sure they'll have a decent piano up
on high if you don't fancy a harp. Rest peacefully old friend, you will not be forgotten.
 
 
Jim Wakefield - GMPMVC