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The English Association of Male Voice Choirs
Secretary, John Currie, 01452 529108
The Cotswold Male Voice Choir was an inaugural member of the Association in 1982, which then also included the Bream, Churchdown, Drybrook, Dursley, Filton, Hereford Police and Malvern male voice choirs. Cotswold and Churchdown are the only inaugural choirs remaining in the Association but they have been joined by other choirs from the region. Listed below is each choir that now makes up the “EAMVC”.
Concert picture in Birmingham Town Hall, courtesy of Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir
Next EAMVC Massed Male Voice Choir Concerts
7.00pm Saturday 26th June 2010
Cheltenham Town Hall
(link)
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The Choirs of the EAMVC
Listed in alphabetical order
BIRMINGHAM ICKNIELD MALE VOICE CHOIR
 Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir is Birmingham’s oldest male voice choir, formed around 1900. The choir has a proud history and, under the musical direction of Steve Roche, has a reputation for varied musical programmes and high standards. The choir performs at various venues around the Midlands and has also performed in the USA, Malta and Ireland.
In the year 2000 the choir, joined by other Midlands based choirs, formed a 350 strong ensemble to celebrate its centenary concert in Symphony Hall in Birmingham. It is one of the founder choirs of the Birmingham St. George’s Day Association and has participated in six sell out concerts. On the 28th of June 2008 they took part in a 300 voice mass male voice choir concert at the Birmingham Town hall arranged for the English Association of Male Voice Choirs by Icknield as the host choir, which was a near sell out. Last year they embarked on a successful tour of Ireland. This year they will appear in the EAMVC mass concert at Lichfield Cathedral on 20th June. Each year, the choir puts on an annual concert at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire. This year it is on 10th October at 7pm.
On October 9th 2010 Icknield will celebrate it’s 110 yr of existence at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
The choir is always looking for new members. If you can sing in tune (no formal audition), enjoy good company and are free most Tuesday evenings, please either come along to rehearsals at the Grimshaw Room behind St Chad’s Cathedral, Shadwell Street at 7.30pm., or contact our Concert Secretary, Stewart Bissell on 01922 451870or email stewart_bissell@blueyonder.co.uk
(April 2009)
CHURCHDOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR
 Now in its 44th year, Churchdown Male Voice Choir goes from strength to strength. During the last year or so 8 new members have been recruited and, against the usual
trend, four of these are under 40 years of age. Under its MD, John Blenkinsopp and Deputy MD Ralph Barnes with Pam Taverner at the piano, the choir performs around 16 concerts a year raising thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
The choir has an extensive repertoire, including traditional male voice pieces and operatic choruses, songs from the shows and modern songs. The choir has in the past performed specially arranged songs with Russian military bands, orchestras, brass bands and church organs.
Since 1981, with a few exceptions, an annual tour has been an important part of the choir year. The choir has visited Holland, Jersey, Bavaria, Isle of Man, Germany and in 2000 the most spectacular trip yet, to Washington DC.
There are two spectacular events for the choir to look forward to later on in the year. On Sunday August 2 the choir has been invited to perform at Cheltenham Racecourse for the Centenary Celebrations of Morgan Cars and on Thursday November 26 the choir is to perform at Cheltenham Town Hall with the Kazakhstan Central Band.
(April 2009)
COTSWOLD MALE VOICE CHOIR (non active members)
 Musical Director: Martin Dear
Accompanist: Geoffrey Mann LRAM
The Cotswold Male Voice is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2009 with the launch of a book chronicling its history, which was launched at a gala concert in the Everyman
Theatre, Cheltenham, on 31st May. The Choir was joined by a string ensemble who flew in from Japan specifically for this event.
The Choir is in great demand and performs over 20 local concerts each year in support of good causes. They sang in the French Alps at Annecy and in South Wales in 2007, later travelling at the invitation of The Lord Mayor of York to sing in York’s Guildhall. The Choir has toured France, Germany, Holland and Ireland. Venues vary greatly, from Village Halls and Churches, to the Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, to Gloucester and Wells Cathedrals and Tewkesbury Abbey.
More recently, at the last six England home matches in 2008 and 2009, the Choir has entertained over
50,000 rugby fans each day singing on stage at Twickenham station at the request of one of England Rugby’s sponsors, BetFair. They were invited back to sing on the pitch at the recent EDF cup final but had to decline because of a prior booking.
To enquire about booking or joining the Cotswold Male Voice Choir, contact the Secretary, Paul Hipkiss, on 01242 511139 or email hipkisses@btinternet.com.
(April 2009)
CRADLEY HEATH MALE VOICE CHOIR
 The choir, originally known as “The Cradley Heath, Old Hill and District Male Voice Choir”, is now in its 93rd year. It was founded in Whitley Memorial School on the 12th February 1912. There are now only a few male voice choirs in England that have survived for a longer period of time. Participation in competitive singing was for many years, a regular feature of the choirs’ activities and numerous prizes were won at local and national music festivals. Last year the choir resumed its participation in festivals and won a first prize at the Dudley Music Festival.
The choirs’ main focus however, is on concert work and many worthy causes have benefited financially from the efforts of the choir. The choir has about 33 members and aims to “Foster the love of good music, entertain the public and assist charitable organisations”. In February 1998 Philippa Brettell became the first ever female Musical Director of the choir and was joined by Cynthia Partridge, her former piano teacher, as accompanist. Together they make a fine partnership.
(April 2009)
FOREST OF DEAN MALE VOICE CHOIR
 The Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir was formed in 1984 with 18 choristers. Membership has now risen to 36 and under the leadership of Musical Director Tracey Gwynne and Pianist Hayley Marangon the Choir has gone from strength to strength and is appreciated by a wide variety of audiences.
This year the Choir will celebrate its 25th anniversary when they will be hosting a concert with Lydbrook Band and Llantrisant Male Voice Choir at the Forest Theatre. They will also enjoy a tour of Cornwall in October.
Over the years the Choir has made many friends singing with Choirs at charitable events throughout the South West of England, South Wales and Yorkshire. The Choir has already enjoyed tours of Cornwall and Germany.
The Choir performs at approximately 25 charitable events a year drawing from a wide repertoire, giving a balanced programme suitable to all venues. If necessary, an electric piano, staging and advice on concert arrangements are available.
There is an increasing demand for the Choir to attend wedding ceremonies, entertaining the congregation prior to the bride arriving and during the signing of the register.
The Choir has a range of CDs and a DVD entitled 'Our Forest Home' showing scenes of the Forest of Dean.
The latest CD, 'Magical Sounds' is a collection of modern songs. All CDs and DVD are available from choir members.
(May 2009)
GENTLEMEN SONGSTERS MALE VOICE CHOIR
 The 60-strong Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir was founded in 1957, and is a member both of the English Association of Male Voice Choirs (EAMVC) and the National Association of Choirs (NAC). In 2009 it has the honour of being the host choir for the annual EAMVC concert being held in Lichfield Cathedral
The choir performs about 16 concerts per year, including three major concerts in its “home base”, Dudley Concert Hall.
The choir has sung in many unusual venues including the top of Ben Nevis, in Kent's Cavern, the Channel Tunnel and on The Birmingham Wheel. More traditional venues have been The Royal Albert Hall, The National Exhibition Centre, Cardiff Arms Park, Birmingham Symphony Hall, and Birmingham International Convention Centre. In recent years, the choir has toured in the USA, Germany, France, Portugal and most recently in the Netherlands
Raising funds for local and national charities is very high on the Gentlemen Songsters’ agenda, and its popular Christmas Charity Concerts alone have raised many thousands of pounds over the years.
In recent years, the choir has greatly benefited from the hard work and dedication of a very talented Music Team led by Musical Director, Mike Wells and Deputy Conductor, John Walley, very ably assisted by Accompanist, Neil Bolton and his Assistant, Steven Swindells. A strong team effort has improved the existing repertoire, and has significantly expanded the range of styles of music, giving the choir the opportunity to adapt its performances to suit the occasion.
Rehearsals are held every Monday evening at 7.45pm at Stream Road Methodist Church, Kingswinford, and any gentleman (young or old) who would like to go to listen, and perhaps eventually to join the choir, will be made most welcome
www.gsmvc.org.uk.
(May 2009)
SOLIHULL MALE VOICE CHOIR
 The Solihull And District Male Voice Choir was formed in 1951 by a group of twelve Welshmen led by David Thomas who served the choir until his death in October 2000. Four years later they became the Solihull Gleemen. In 1964 Solihull became a Metropolitan Borough and the choir requested permission to wear the Borough Coat of Arms on its uniform.
Permission was granted and the choir became the “Solihull Male Voice Choir” and is proud to wear the Coat Of Arms where-ever it sings. The choir is a member of the English Association Of Male Voice Choirs and is also a member of the National Association Of Choirs. The choir performs several concerts each year, both within the borough and further afield. One of the objects of the choir is to raise funds for local and other charities. Over the years several thousands of pounds have been raised and we have given concerts to assist other organisations in their fund raising. Our Musical Director, John Hackett was appointed in 2002 and is ably supported by our accompanists Rachel Jackson and Marcelle Chatham and our Chairman is David Hewston.
johnfhackett@freeuk.com
(April 2009)
WARLEY MALE CHOIR
 The choir was formed in 1943 by a group of air raid wardens based in Smethwick. From those humble beginnings a fine and well respected choir has grown. The choir performs about 15 concerts a year throughout the Midlands and the UK. As well as concerts the choir has participated in music festivals and competitions such as the Sainsburys Choir of the Year in which they reached the final 16 out of 350 entries. The choir has also entered the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on two occasions achieving encouraging results and has twice participated in the “1000 English Voices” festival at the Royal Albert Hall. Outside the UK they have toured in Germany, France, Belgium and Holland. They have also visited Cornwall three times raising money for the RNLI and also North Yorkshire where they again raised money for the same charity.
In addition to their regular commitments the choir is a member of the English Association of Male Voice Choirs (EAMVC). In 2006 the choir were given the responsibility of organizing the Annual Gala concert in the Great Hall at Birmingham University which raised over £3,000 for charity.
Now led by a young team of enthusiastic musicians, under the direction of Stephen J. Allen, the choir has introduced a more dynamic and modern approach to its music. We have welcomed several new members recently and look forward to an exciting future.
Amongst the many recent additions to the choir repertoire are My Way, made famous by Frank Sinatra, When I’m 64 recorded by The Beatles, Bohemian Rhapsody written by Freddie Mercury and Sailing recorded by Rod Stewart.
They rehearse every Thursday night at the church hall of Warley Woods Methodist Church, Abbey Road, Bearwood, B67 5LS starting at 7:00 pm.
Please contact Mr. Keri Morgan on 0121 544 6695 for further information or go to our website at:
www.warleymalechoir.co.uk
(May 2009)
WORCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR
 The Choir was formed in 1987 and has gone from strength to strength in terms of its repertoire, its quality of singing and its membership. There are currently 61 choristers and plans are now in the early stages to celebrate the Choirs 25th Anniversary in 2012.
The majority of the Choirs performances are in aid of charity and we have now raised over £100,000 during the past years. Recently for example a sum of £3253 was presented to the Worcester Cathedral Music and Light Appeal following a sell out concert in that place.
The Choir regularly tours throughout the UK and abroad. During 2008 visits included one to Worcester’s twin town of Kleve in Germany. In May 2009 the Choir participated in the Cornwall International Male Voice Choir Festival competing with choirs from the UK, Russia, Algeria, Belarus and the Congo.
As well as competing in the Festival we took part with other choirs in five Regional Concerts singing in various venues including the prestigious Lost Gardens of Heligan.
In July this year the Choir will be performing at the impressive Malmesbury Abbey in aid of the charity Cancer UK. Whilst nearer at home we will take part in an anniversary celebration by St Richards Hospice which is being held in Worcester Cathedral .The end of the year will see the Choir holding its Annual Christmas Concert in Pershore Abbey.
The Choir is very ably led by our Musical Director Nicholas Wright whose wit, experience and dedication are a real asset. The main accompanist is Sheila Leatherland a former music teacher who has been playing for choirs, mixed, male voice and school, for over 30 years whose enthusiasm continues to inspire.
New choristers are always welcome and we are seeking to increase our membership to 70 choristers as well as additions to our non–singing supporters the ‘Friends of WMVC’ who are an important and much appreciated part of the team.
Further details of the Choir including its membership, repertoire and concerts can be found on our website, www.worcestermalevoicechoir.org.uk
(May 2009)
To contact the EAMVC:
John Currie
Secretary
English Association of Male Voice Choirs
88 Stroud Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5AJ
Tel: 01452 529108
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