Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir

The choir joined forces with the Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) Brass Band to give a concert at the William Brookes School, Much Wenlock on Saturday 10th September, delighting the audience with a wide variety of songs including several joint pieces with the band.

The band, lead by its conductor Simon Platford, treated the audience to a new work ‘Phoenix Rising’ and an unusual arrangement of Scarborough Fair while the joint music, which included the Tom Jones favourite ‘Delilah’ and traditional piece ‘Let There Be Light’, was led by the choirs musical director Paul Kelly. The audience were also treated to solo pieces including ‘Xylophobia’, performed by Oliver James on Xylophone.

Following the concert the band travelled to Bolsover where on Sunday Mr James won the soloist trophy while performing Xylophobia, and the band gained third place in the championship section. The choir are busy rehearsing for their next performance at Alberbury on Friday 16th September, when there will be a joint concert with the Tamar Valley MVC (see concerts page for detail).

The choir regrets to announce the retirement of Mrs Rosemary Whiteford as accompanist, after 24 years service. Mrs Whiteford joined the choir in 1987 under the musical directorship of Mrs Ceridwen Constantine and travelled widely with the choir on its overseas trips as well as numerous UK concerts.

She commented on her retirement “I loved the choir and its friendship….I have had some wonderful experiences at a number of different venues, it’s been wonderful to see the reaction of audiences”. The choir’s current Musical Director, Mr Paul Kelly, praised her for her “patience and conscientiousness” over the years, during which time she missed only two concerts. A loyal and steadfast supporter, Rosemary gave freely of her time and musical ability, helping to ensure the choir’s success in learning a wide variety of songs.

The choir is seeking to make a new appointment and has engaged the services of Mr David Fisher in the interim. David is an accomplished pianist and a graduate of Trinity College of Music in London, where he gained a Fellowship Diploma in organ playing as well as teaching diplomas in piano. David conducted the Halfway House Male Voice Choir, near Shrewsbury, for many years in the 1980′s and recently retired from teaching piano and violin. If you are interested in applying to be an accompanist please contact our choir secretary Mr Geoff Draper on 01952728178 for more information.

On Saturday 6th August the choir performed at the wedding of Nick and Lisa Frost at St Marys RC Church in Shifnal, by special invitation of the bride and groom, singing a selection of songs prior to the ceremony and three pieces in Welsh during the signing of the register. The guests were also treated to traditional Scottish bagpipe playing as the bride entered the church and at the completion of the marriage.

After the service the bride said “your choir’s contribution to my wedding made it special and everybody commented on how fabulous you were. I felt that your contribution really made our service that extra bit personal and entertaining at the same time….you really were absolutely brilliant and Father John was also particularly impressed!”

The choir would be pleased to take bookings for other couples who want to make their special day that extra bit special! See the contact page for details of how to get in touch.

Members of the choir presented a concert at the Lady Forrester Nursing Home, Much Wenlock, on Sunday 24th July 2011. The concert was staged in appreciation of the high standard of care afforded to one of their members, Mr Colin Ryder. Colin suffered a stroke while on holiday in Turkey and has been convalescing at the home, following his repatriation to the UK by air ambulance. During the concert he was brought into the choir in his regular spot making a significant and most welcome contribution to the bass section. After refreshments, patients, relatives and guests joined in a programme of community singing accompanied by Nick Mitchell on piano accordion.

Tour dates – Friday 6th May to Tuesday 10th May 2011 -  The choir stayed at the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor,  where they sang with the Bangor Ladies Choir at a concert on Saturday 7th May, followed on Sunday by a further joint concert with Ballyclare M.V.C at the Presbyterian church in Belfast city centre. The choir toured the Ards Peninsula and also visited the Giants Causeway.

Giants Causeway