Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir

Saturday 2nd November saw the choir return to St Marys Church, Albrighton one year after  a well received concert at the venue. The programme of music again covered a wide range with popular music from the 60’s and traditional pieces including the Latin ‘Ave Maris Stella’ and the Louis Armstrong classic ‘Wonderful World’.

Several solo performances added to the mix and made for another successful concert judging by the many positive audience comments received at the close of the evening. The well attended concert raised much needed funds for this picturesque church and its hoped the choir will return again to Albrighton in the near future.

On Saturday 26th October the choir travelled to Church Stretton for a remembrance concert to mark the 75th anniversary of the ‘D’ day landings. Organised by the Church Stretton & District branch of the Royal British Legion the evening was a great success and raised more than £1000 with proceeds going to the RBL poppy appeal.

The event included the placing of a wreath by Army Cadets, an address by Major (rtd) Roy Lloyd and a mixture of songs and readings which included ‘For the Fallen’ and ‘D-Day Dodgers’ and is one which will live long in the memory.

On Saturday 14th September the choir travelled to the pretty village of Ditton Priors and the church of St John the Baptist, to sing at the marriage of Rita Cresswell and Dennis Griffiths, who are both long standing patrons. The entrance of the bride was heralded to the sounds of ‘The Rose’ and the Perry Como song ‘And I Love You So’ was performed during the ceremony. The Welsh classic ‘Calon Lan’ signalled the close of the service as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle.

The newly weds kindly invited the choir to participate in the reception where the speeches and traditional notices included further singing completing what was a very special day. The choir is now busy rehearsing for a concert at ‘The Edge’ in Much Wenlock on Saturday 19th October when the renowned Jazz Pianist Keith Nichols returns to the town to perform more classic jazz numbers with the choir adding its own magic to make for an evening not to be missed. Profits from the concert, which is sponsored by A.Ryan & Son, will go to charities supporting the work against cancer. The concert kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets can be obtained either from The Edge Box Office 0333 666 3366 or at Penny Farthing in The Square, Much Wenlock.

On Saturday 29th June the choir was pleased to welcome the Abertillery Ladies Choir to the town in a joint concert held at the William Brookes School. Wenlock choir previously travelled to South Wales 3 years ago for a concert in Abertillery and this was a return visit.

The Abertillery choir was founded in 1911 and is dedicated to producing music for the enjoyment of others. Over the years the choir has supported a wide range of community events, Eisteddfodau, festivals and concerts many raising much needed funds for charity.

The Saturday concert proved to be a great success covering a wide range of musical pieces both old and new. A buffet and refreshments with some after concert singing rounded off the evening and ensured our guests were treated to a true ‘Wenlock Welcome’.

On Saturday 6th July Much Wenlock choir travelled to the pretty village of Little Stretton for an evening concert at All Saints Church. The two hour programme saw the choir perform several new pieces in front of a packed audience. The choir would like to thank the organisers, not least for the refreshments provided in the church grounds post concert!

The choir now travel to the village of Chetwynd this coming weekend for a concert at Chetwynd church, on Saturday evening at 7.30pm

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.