Musical Director – Paul Kelly
Assistant Musical Director – Tim Marsh
Accompanist – David Fisher
In 1968 a small group of singers met at a local public house in Much Wenlock and declared their intention to meet on a regular basis to sing for pleasure, and so Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir was born.
The choir has attracted members from a wide area of Shropshire and enjoyed continuing success under the leadership of its founder Musical Director, Mrs Ceridwen Constantine, who combined a background of Welsh choral singing with formal music training at the Northern School of Music, Manchester.
The choir has built up a large repertoire of songs, both traditional and popular and stage performances are always made without using sheet music so that the songs truly come straight from the heart. The choir’s aim remains to ‘sing for pleasure’ and although the choir has taken part in Eisteddfods and musical competitions over the years it is mainly non- competitive.
1980 saw the choirs first overseas tour, to Thiers in France; the choir has made some 25 tours, travelling widely throughout Britain and Europe, touring the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Atlanta USA.
The choir formed ties with choirs in Holland, Germany and Belgium as well as the U.K, fostering international links and hosting choirs from abroad on their return visits to Shropshire.
It has participated in joint concerts with the Lon Dhoo Choir IOM, Icknield, Cwmtawe, Greater Manchester Police Choir, Northampton, Rhayder, Rame Peninsula, Llanelli, Newquay and East Fife, to name but a few.
The choir also participated in the Shrewsbury International Music Festivals and regularly shared the stage in concert with choirs attending the Festivals.
The choir most recently toured in Northern Ireland in May this year, singing with the Bangor Ladies choir and also with Ballyclare MVC at the Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
The choir is proud to have helped many organisations raise money for charitable purposes, helping charities both local and national raise tens of thousands of pounds, enriching the community life of the town of Much Wenlock and other communities in Shropshire and beyond. The choir is a registered charity (No: 1105919) and a member of the National Association of choirs. (Group 22)
In 2000 the choir attended the Jersey International Music Festival and were placed second in the male voice section. In the same year they participated in a massed choir event at the Manchester Evening News Arena “2000 in 2000”. The choir has joined other choirs for massed choir concerts at Telford, Manchester, Llangollen, Cardiff, Dublin and Birmingham.
In October 2003 the choir sang with 400 other male voices in the Birmingham Symphony Hall in aid of Cancer Research UK. In 2005 the choir took part in the Cornwall International Music Festival.
In 2009 the choir held its 40th celebration dinner and dance at the Shrewsbury Town Prostar Stadium.
Mrs Constantine retired as Musical Director in 2010 and became honorary President. Following auditions musicologist Mr Paul Kelly was selected as the new Director, Mr Kelly brings a wealth of experience and a very high level of qualification to the post.
The choir has an assistant Musical Director, Tim Marsh and the accompanist is Mr David Fisher, a graduate of Trinity College of Music in London and an accomplished pianist.
Three recordings have been made, “Singing for Pleasure”, recorded at the William Brookes School, Much Wenlock, in 1975. “Were You There”, recorded in Birmingham in 1980 and “On Wenlock Edge”, recorded at the William Brookes School, Much Wenlock in 1996.
Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir meets for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, at the William Brookes School, Much Wenlock, from September to July. The choir would like to increase active membership, allowing more scope to broaden the range of material it can cover, so do come and join us. There is a great sense of camaraderie and we really do welcome new members of all abilities.
The choir has many loyal patrons and supporters whom it wishes to thank for their continuing support.
Call our choir secretary, Harry King, on 07852 991910 for more details or e-mail us at mwmvc2@fsmail.net.
Learn more about our choir on this site, or visit http://www.muchwenlockguide.info/ to learn more about Much Wenlock.