Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir

The choir is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Fox as their new Musical Director. Richard has a wealth of experience and was latterly the Head of Music at Bridgnorth Endowed School as well as being a member of a local jazz ensemble ‘Band on the Edge’, a group which coincidentally included the choirs previous MD Paul Kelly.

Richards musical career began in Sussex where he attended University to study 20th Century Music and conducted the university orchestra. In his final year he was appointed as Musical Director of Sussex Musical Theatre Company in Brighton. A part time job with the local BBC radio station resulted in a three year spell hosting his own classical music show.

A career in teaching saw Richard teach in schools in five different countries, including comprehensives, grammar schools and also in the independant sector. As a musician he has composed a number of choral works, some of which have reached audiences as far away as Spain and Australia. Over the years he has been Musical Director and conductor of several choirs, theatre companies and operatic societies and has sung with the BBC Symphony Chorus and with the Telford based Gallery Singers, a chamber choir that has won both the North Wales Choral Competition and was awarded first prize at the Bath International Choral Competition.

Now retired from teaching and living locally at Ditton Priors Richard is looking forward to pursuing a range of musical activities and his enthusiasm and interest is clear … “I love teaching music – it’s a lot of fun and very rewarding. Music can have a profound effect on a person’s attitude, confidence and enthusiasm…I’m passionate about music…” The choir looks forward to a long, productive and happy working relationship.

The choir regrets to announce that Paul Kelly, their Musical Director, has decided to step down from the post after 10 years loyal service. Paul was appointed in 2010 and brought a wealth of experience to the post, having previously directed a variety of orchestras, choirs and bands. Paul was formerly employed as Director of Music at the William Brookes School until his retirement in 2005.

Pauls vision for the choir was to develop and improve acoustic tone and under his leadership the choir has moved forwards in its sound and range of music, building on what was an already extensive repertoire. The current programme of song reflects a more modern twist and always attracts very positive responses from audiences.

Some of the highlights of Pauls tenure as MD includes tours of Ireland, Gateshead, the Lake District, Tyne & Wear, South Wales and Cornwall. The choir took part in the Olympics ‘Welcome Songs’ in 2012 when it was filmed by Central TV and a new milestone was achieved in December 2016 when the choir announced the release of its latest recording ‘Spirit of the Edge’. Last year the choir was pleased to celebrate its 50^th anniversary.

Paul and his family plan to relocate to the Orkney Islands, but in the meantime Paul will continue to support the choir while a successor is sought, for which the choir is grateful and  expresses its heartfelt thanks for his work, while wishing him every success for the future.

It is with sadness that the Choir regret to announce the death of David Strefford last week, which was due to health issues unrelated to the current ‘Coronavirus’ pandemic. ‘Streff’ as he was known to his friends had been a chorister for many years and had served on the choirs committee as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Welfare Officer. In the latter role, which he had carried out for some 16 years, his dedication gave comfort to many choristers and patrons, who were grateful for his support and advice, carried out with a true Christian spirit.

Streff was Church Warden for Eaton Constantine, a role he had fulfilled for many decades,  stepping in to help with services and generally supporting the work of the Church. In his working life he was an Agricultural Contractor and could often be seen about the countryside, maintaining hedgerows and working in the fields.  He was a larger than life figure and will be sorely missed by his fellow choristers and the wider community. The funeral service attended by close family takes place on Monday 6^TH April; it is anticipated that in due course there will be a memorial service which the choir hopes to attend.

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.

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 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!