Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir

The choir travelled to Cornwall over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to take part in the Cornish International Choral festival, which saw choirs from all over the world visit the county to compete or sing for pleasure.

The weekend was blessed with fine weather and a stay at the Ship and Castle Hotel in the picturesque seaside town of St Mawes, shown in the scene opposite.

The festival has become the largest event of its type in the world and showcases some truly exceptional singing including a performance by a youth choir from Lithuania who our choir were fortunate to see in action at a concert in St Austell on Saturday night, where Much Wenlock also sang. Much Wenlock choir performed at three other venues over the weekend – Trebah Gardens, a fabulous garden centre covering 29 acres with its own amphitheatre –

A youth choir in perfromance at Trebah Gardens

Porthleven Methodist Church, at an evening concert and The Eden Project, where the choir performed in one of the domes on Monday morning, before returning to Shropshire.

Choir at Eden Project

The Lithuanian choir went on to come third in competition with African and Russian choirs securing first and second places.

This was the ninth festival and hosted 60 choirs performing at 40 locations across Cornwall.

Its a highly successful and well organised event – the choir would like to express its thanks to the organisers, and also to the committee and tour group, whose tireless work made the trip possible.

St Davids Day saw choristers travel to Bridgnorth at the invitation of Bridgnorth Rugby Club to take part in a social evening where there was much singing and merriment, one of  many social events the choir has participated in over the years and the second event this year, following on from a highly succesful ‘skittles evening’ at the Priory Hall in Much Wenlock at the end of February. This was an event which raised much needed funds to help with the running of the choir. The life of the choir is as much about socialising as it is about singing and Much Wenlock revels in both.

The choir is due to travel to Cornwall in May to take part in the Cornwall International Music Festival and will be travelling with patrons and friends, in what will no doubt be a memorable experience for all.

The choir meet at the William Brookes School for an open rehearsal at 7pm on Tuesday 8th January, if you are interested in singing why not come and give it a try:

• No previous experience necessary
• Ability to read music not a requirement
• An opportunity to try something new
• tea/coffee break to find out more from our friendly group
• Sing from night one
• swell our numbers further in our 50th anniversary year

If you can’t make the night but would like to talk ring Dick Langford 01952 728758

A trip to St Mary Magdelene Church, Albrighton on Saturday 10th November raised more than £600 for the East Window Appeal in an evening performance that highlighted the choirs abilities with a mixture of songs and solo performances that were well received by the capacity audience. The programme included a tribute to the centenary anniversary of World War 1 with the song ‘For The Fallen’, followed by a one minute silence at the close of the concert. An evening that will live long in the memories of all those who were present and the choir hope to return to Albrighton sometime in the future. Rehearsals are now under way for Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre on Saturday 1st December and an afternoon concert at Bayton Parish Church the following day (see events page for details).

The legendary Rhos Male Voice Choir are coming to Much Wenlock next month as Much Wenlock Choir celebrates its 50th anniversary. It was a visit of the Rhos to the town in 1968 that prompted a group of local singers to get together and form a singing group which became Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir, so its fitting that the Rhos should return to help set the seal on its landmark year.

Rhos Male Voice Choir is from the village of Rhosllannerchrugog (Rhos), some five miles south-west of Wrexham, North Wales. Formed in 1891 the choir has, since then, been in the forefront of male voice singing. It is widely recognised as being one of Wales’ foremost choirs and its record in the competitive field is second to none. Ever since Richard Mills formed Rhos Male Voice Choir in 1891 it has given pleasure to countless thousands  who have heard the unique sound of the choir. Its recordings have reached a wide audience the world over and, coupled with many overseas tours, the choir’s name has become synonymous with male voice choir singing of standing.

The concert is on Saturday 20th October at The Edge Arts Centre at 7.30pm and tickets, which cost £10, are available from the Edge Box Office or Penny Farthing, Much Wenlock.

The choir were pleased to give a concert at Oakengates United Reform Church on Saturday 14th July to raise funds in support of the Shoe Box Appeal, a charity that sends thousands of gifts to children overseas in the run up to Christmas, many of whom would not otherwise receive a present of any sort. It was a fitting way to end the choir’s summer season and the concert was followed by a garden party at Harley on 21st July; thanks to all those who supported either event in any way.

Its also pleasing to see the choir attracting new members in recent months – a ‘come and try it’ event is planned at the William Brookes School on the evening of Tuesday 11th September at 7pm….if you enjoy singing why not make a note of it in your diary and pop along.

The choir travel to Bridgnorth on Saturday 19th May to take part in a joint concert with Bel Canto at Cartway Methodist Church. Bel Canto are a local group of four songsters who met some years ago for the pure enjoyment of making music. Their deep friendship is reflected in a unique blend of close harmony singing, with a repertoire that is a diverse mixture of folk, barbershop, classical, jazz and madrigal. Audiences at home and abroad have derived great pleasure from the melodious magic of their performances.

The choir looks forward to what promises to be a unique and special evening of musical entertainment. The performance starts at 7pm and tickets cost £12.00….contact Jenny on 01746711422 to reserve yours now, or just turn up and pay at the door!

Much Wenlock Choir are joining forces with Newport Male Voice Choir for a joint concert at the Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock on Saturday 10th March. The choirs met up previously when Much Wenlock travelled to Newport for a joint concert at Cosy Hall and the two have close ties as Newport Choir’s Musical Director Vivian Redfern is also  accompanist for Much Wenlock!

The concert promises to be something special as a number of joint pieces are being worked on and the combined choirs look forward to singing together. Tickets for the event cost £10.00 and are available from Penny Farthing, The Square, Much Wenlock or by contacting Lionel Gosden 01952 929760, alternatively just turn up and pay on the door.

A packed December programme started with an appearance at Wenlock Xmas Fayre on Saturday 2nd December when the choir joined with many other artists and performers to entertain the shoppers in Wenlock High Street, (for full details of the  event see the Fayre’s website at www.muchwenlockchristmasfayre.org.uk). The choir travelled to Bayton Church near Cleobury Mortimer for a concert on Sunday 3rd December and to Shrewsbury Abbey on Friday 15th to take part in an evening of musical performances including carols and festive readings.

The choir returned to home territory on Saturday 16th for a Xmas concert at The Edge where mince pies and mulled wine were on offer. The concert started at 7.30pm and tickets were free…..yes that’s right!…the audience were treated to a programme of well known Christmas songs and an appearance by ‘Eight in a Bar’, Shropshire’s own Barbershop Group.

The choir are pleased to anounce that the concert with Keith Nichols at The Edge in November raised £1000 for The Alzheimer’s Society, the cheque was presented to the charity in front of a packed audience at Shrewsbury Abbey.

The choir are pleased to announce the return of Keith Nichols to The Edge, Much Wenlock in a joint concert on Friday 17th November. Keith is well known as a jazz pianist and is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on classic jazz and ragtime; his piano playing reflects his deep involvement with pioneer stylists such as James P Johnson, Scott Joplin, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. He is one of the very few British Musicians to have played at Carnegie Hall  and his recording credits include three solo albums for EMI, plus a host of others for Decca, including one with Bing Crosby.

Keith previously appeared at The Edge in 2014 in a truly memorable concert and the choir looks forward to his return with eager anticipation. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Doris Wain and funds raised from it will go to support the work of The Alzheimer’s Society. The concert starts at 7.30pm,  tickets cost £10 and are available from The Edge Box Office 01952 728911; Penny Farthing, The Square, Much Wenlock; BridnorthJazz.co.uk or Harry King on 07852 991910