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DISCLAIMER: Any opinion expressed and advice offered in this website is not necessarily that of the Federation or its officials and no responsibility can be accepted for the results of following contributors' advice. KERNOWYON A GAN (Men of Cornwall Sing!)Coming soon on 2 November 2013, The Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs Massed Choir Charity Concert at THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL! St Cuby Church, Tregony - Diamond Jubilee Flower FestivalFive days of flowers and celebration - Friday 1 June to Tuesday 5 June 2012 - 10am to 5pm ROYAL JUBILATION - Friday 1 June 2012 - 7pm for 7.30pmPaul Drayton introduces music composed for royalty over the centuries, illustrating on keyboard and with recordings. Doors open at 6.45pm with the talk beginning at 7.30pm. We hope you will arrive early to enjoy some stunning floral displays, with a glass in hand. Tickets at £5 include a complimentary glass of wine. IMERYS MID CORNWALL MALE CHOIR - Tuesday 5 June 2012 - 7.30pmThe choir brings the Flower Festival to a close in an evening of song, with a programme of secular and sacred music. Barry Hawken conducts, with Marlene Bowden accompanying and Colin Grigg as host. Further information and tickets in advance from 01872 530274 or Post Cottage, Fore Street, Tregony. Tickets also available on the door. Sent by Colin Grigg, Imerys Mid Cornwall MC WADEBRIDGE MVC RECORD NEW CD
Wadebridge Male Voice Choir’s latest CD ‘Then & Now’ has just been released. The CD is aptly named, with traditional numbers like ‘Nessun Dorma’ to contemporary modern pieces such as ‘Angels’. Naturally there is a strong Cornish flavour in the CD including songs like ‘Cornish Hearts’ specially composed for the International Male Voice Choral Festival 2007 by Gareth Churcher (held in Cornwall). Wadebridge’s Director of Music, Paul Mitchell, said “I am very pleased with the recording. We rehearsed every piece to the highest standard. This selection is representative of the choir's wide repertoire. Whilst it will appeal to male voice choir supporters, there is something for everyone. I am sure some tracks will raise a smile.” Joining Wadebridge on the CD is singer, Maisie Tooley. Recently she got through to the national finals of the top UK singing competition ‘Open Mic’. The Judges told Maisie her voice "made their spines tingle" and "she would go far". To get through to the finals in the O² Arena out of 20,000 entries speaks for itself. Wadebridge recorded the CD in St Ervan Parish Church over two days with professional recording and mastering using the highest quality equipment. The CDs can be obtained from Bob Cronshaw tel 01208 812349 or from Kernow Harvest and Tourist Information Centre Eddystone Road, Wadebridge, or from Padstow Tourist Information Centre. See www.wmvc.org.uk for more information on Wadebridge Male Voice Choir.
Sent by Brian Wood, Wadebridge MVC Federation receives donation of LPs by Newquay store ownerA Newquay vintage store presented an array of 'treasures' to the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs recently. Suzanne of Le Shed, on Crantock Street, acquired a collection of vinyl LP records and decided to offer them free to a good home. The Federation was keen to snap them up as the collection contains recordings of choral groups going back to the early 1970s and even includes a recording by Newquay Male Voice Choir from 1984. Jim Christophers, who was presented with the LPs at the shop, said: "I was touched to pick out my late father on the cover of two of the early recordings of Treverva Male Voice Choir and there is a poignant cover for a recording of St Dennis Male Voice Choir, no longer in existence, which contains the signatures of those in the choir in 1985. The collector was clearly a fan of Edgar Kessel, the old MD of Treverva Male Voice Choir, Climax Male Voice Choir, Devon and Cornwall Police Choir and Mabe Ladies Choir, as there are a number of records of him and his choirs. The Federation is very grateful to Sue for donating this collection of the heritage of music and fellowship enjoyed in male voice choirs today." News item posted 30/04/2012 PRESENTATION TO GOFF RICHARDS MEMORIAL FUNDOn Saturday 29th October last year Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs members, Four Lanes, Holman Climax, Nankersey and St Stythians, along with singers from fellow members, Mevagissey and Newquay male voice choirs, and four Cornish Championship Brass Bands – Camborne, Mount Charles, St Austell and St Dennis - combined to present a concert in Truro Cathedral celebrating the music of the renowned Cornish composer Goff Richards. Goff had an international reputation as a prolific and talented composer but remained essentially a St Minver boy with deep Cornish roots. The concert programme was made up entirely of Goff’s music with the choirs and bands performing separately and together to produce a sound which reverberated around the Cathedral and out into the night beyond. All in all everyone, participants and audience alike, agreed that it served as a very fitting tribute to a remarkable man. Once all expenses had been accounted for, the concert raised a total of £3,978.56 for the Goff Richards Memorial Fund, created to provide financial assistance to enable young Cornish musicians to further their musical skills. A cheque for this amount was presented by Terry Hodge, Chairman of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs, to Matt Richards, son of Goff, at the Federation meeting on 18th April. Terry was assisted in the presentation by representatives of some of the choirs and bands who performed at the concert and by Phillip Hunt, Cornish bard, well known Radio presenter, friend of Goff and Secretary of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band (amongst many other things) who also chaired the concert. Sent by Jim Christophers, Publicity Officer, CFMVC
MOUSEHOLE MALE VOICE CHOIR AWARDED THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENT'S PLATEAt the Federation's AGM this month, the annual award of the President's Plate was made to Mousehole Male Voice Choir for their outstanding work involving their local community in male voice music. The Chairman confirmed the Executive's decision to award the Plate to Mousehole Male Voice Choir “for all their efforts in their local community to promote and encourage male voice singing”. He was delighted to present the plate to them for this year. News item posted 25/04/2012
Mevagissey, Nick and Maggie at the MinackWith compere Nick Hart and soloist Maggie Holden, the Mevagissey Male Choir are thoroughly looking forward to their first appearance at the Minack Theatre on Saturday 5th May. With music from Churcher to Cohen, from Macgillivray to Mercury, from Pollard to Puccini and maybe a new one in the repertoire for that night’s full moon, there should be something for everyone in what will be a cracking night of song. The concert starts at 7.30pm and finishes --- ? Full programme on our web site www.meva-choir.co.uk Sent by Michael Watson, Mevagissey BATH MALE CHOIR IN CONCERT AT ST IVES
Sent by Neil Shepherd, Director of Music, St Ives Parish Church FOUR LANES MALE CHOIR WELCOME NEW ACCOMPANIST, KEITH HALSTEADFour Lanes Male Choir are extremely pleased to anounce Mr Keith Halstead L.R.A.M. as their accompanist. Keith is a retired secondary school Head Master who originally studied piano at The Royal Northern School of Music and gained his Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music when eighteen years old. He has been a church organist since he was twelve. He has always enjoyed supporting choirs and was the accompanist for the Grosvenor Choral which drew its members from world famous choirs including the Halle, Huddersfield Choral and Liverpool Philharmonic. When his career took him to Minehead he co-founded and accompanied the Minehead Male Voice Choir. Following his recent move to Cornwall he found us, and we are delighted he has accepted our invitation to join our musical team. Sent by Terry Parrell, Four Lanes MC FEDERATION GRAND REGIONAL CONCERT
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 Brian Medlyn (left) receives Award from former MD, Ed Goldsmith |
The Choir have been Festival winners in Blackpool, Cheltenham, Cornwall County and Open Championships; concert tours have included Europe, USA and Australia with TV and Radio appearances. Venues have varied considerably, from numerous churches around the County, the Princess Pavilion, the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Truro Cathedral, farm yards, Agricultural Shows, Devon County Show, down Tin Mines and 35,000 feet in the air whilst en route to California. Regular concerts for charity are undertaken each year. On Saturday 19th November 7.30pm 2011 at All Saints Church Falmouth, the choir will have their Anniversary Concert and new CD launch, in aid of “Cornwall Hospice Care”. Tickets at £5 are available from the Choir Secretary (see contact details below) or at the door on the night. Compere for the evening is Daphne Skinnard from BBC Radio Cornwall and special guest soloist is the very talented soprano, Margaret Ferguson, born in Ghana, now residing in Manchester. The year 2002 saw the founding of the Commonwealth Games Choir for the opening ceremony. Margaret was a member; it was later renamed The Manchester Gospel Choir, of which Margaret is now the Musical Director. She has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall and also venues in Londonderry, Wales and Birmingham. Margaret has also taken part in a number of pre-festival concerts for the Cornish International Male Choral Festival, with which Treverva have also been involved. |
 Comedian/singer, Johnny Cowling |
Anyone wishing to join the Choir, should please contact the Choir Secretary, Ann Trudgen on 01326-210444 or email her on ann.trevervachoir@hotmail.co.uk for further details. You will be made very welcome.
Sent by Ann Trudgen, Treverva MVC
News item posted 30/10/2011
NEWLYN MALE CHOIR'S 90th ANNIVERSARY CD
Newlyn Male Choir is delighted to announce the release of their new CD - Reflections. The CD contains old favourites as well as special new recordings in celebration of the choir's 90th Anniversary.
Details are available from the choir's website at www.newlynmalechoir.co.uk/choir_cd.html.
Sent by Newlyn MC
News item posted 11/10/2011
PHOTOS FROM THE FEDERATION CATHEDRAL CONCERT, SEPTEMBER 2011
A member of the City of Truro Male Choir has kindly sent these excellent, high quality photos taken at the Federation's recent Cathedral Concert on 3 September 2011. You can scroll down this page to News Item dated 6 September to read a report on the Cathedral concert.
Members of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs at Truro Cathedral
 Launceston MVC at Truro Cathedral |
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 Pelynt MVC at Truro Cathedral |
Images sent by John Larke, City of Truro MC
News item posted 02/10/2011
IMERYS MID CORNWALL MC SING IN COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
Imerys Mid Cornwall Male Choir recently enjoyed a full “away weekend” in Coventry during September, when they had the privilege of giving a Saturday lunchtime concert in Coventry Cathedral and later, sharing a joint concert with the City of Coventry Male Voice Choir to a packed audience in the West Orchard United Reform Church. On the Sunday, the choir joined with over 300 pensioners of the china clay industry at their holiday hotel to participate in a special Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Service. The weekend included a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield.
The choir continues to recruit new members to its rehearsals on Thursday evenings at Nanpean Methodist Chapel, near St.Austell.
Sent by Colin Grigg, Imerys Mid Cornwall MC
News item posted 01/10/2011
SONG BOOK
A new Song Book has been compiled by members of Nankersey Male Choir. The Song Book contains 51 well known songs and hymns and is intended to be used on informal occasions (possibly with a pint in hand!) whenever choir members get together for a sing song outside of concert "conditions". It is also intended to act as an aide memoire for those who find themselves at a loss to join in because the words are either unknown or temporarily forgotten! Thanks to everyone who has helped in the compilation.
We are pricing the Song Book competitively at £2.50 only and this must represent good value as it is handily sized for placing in a jacket pocket and the cover is laminated for durability. The Song Book is dedicated to Nankersey's 12 founder members and a photograph of those worthy gentlemen appears in the book.
Choir members within the Federation qualify for this bargain price provided the song book(s) can be delivered by hand (at a Federation meeting for instance) or song books may be obtained for £3.50 by post. Anyone who is interested in obtaining a copy or copies should please get in touch with Fred Bidgood, tel: 01326 373984;
e-mail: familybidgood@hotmail.co.uk.
Sent by Fred Bidgood, Nankersey MC
News item posted 06/09/2011
TRELAWNY'S MEN SING FOR CORNWALL'S CATHEDRAL
“What an experience! To call it a concert is an understatement.” This is how one member of a packed Cathedral audience summed up the concert presented by the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs that raised £3,300 in aid of Truro Cathedral’s Inspire Cornwall Appeal on the 3rd September.
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Four choirs represented the Federation, Launceston Male Voice Choir, Pelynt Male Voice Choir, City of Truro Male Choir and Wadebridge Male Voice Choir. Each choir was at the ‘top of their game’ when individually presenting a selection of pieces of their own choice which took full advantage of the variety and vitality of the contemporary male voice choir repertoire; every piece was received with spontaneous and deafening applause from the audience. The evening was so full of highlights that it is difficult to select those that stand out. However, sensitive choral singing was shown off at its best by Launceston’s performance of the Charles Aznavour classic ‘She’ and Pelynt’s rendition of Anton Dvorak’s ‘Goin’ Home’, both pieces on the soon to be available compilation CD celebrating Cornish male Voice Choir singing available from the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs. For sheer power and a depth of tone that rang around the Cathedral one would have to pick out City of Truro’s opening number, Bizet’s ‘Divine Brahma’ and Wadebridge’s interpretation of Sicher’s, ‘The Creation’. Foot tapping gospel numbers included ‘The Gospel Train’ from Launceston MVC and ‘Sinner Man’ from Wadebridge MVC. There was, of course, music from the musical theatre with Roger Philp of Pelynt MVC using his rich bass voice to great effect when taking the solo part in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Music of the Night’. Launceston MVC sang Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ with all the passion they could muster and City of Truro MC gave a haunting performance of ‘My Heart will go on’ (the now famous Titanic love theme). There was even some Abba. ‘Something for everyone’ is a well used cliché but for this evening it was clearly an accurate description. Between the choir performances, the audience had the treat of listening to guest artistes, William and Tricia Thomas who have recently returned to their home town, St Ives, after living on the Isles of Scilly for a while. They captivated the audience with their solos and duets. Again it is difficult to pick out highlight pieces but William’s performance of his own piece, Onen Agoll (One and All) stands out as does their duet interpretation of a piece made famous by Charlie Landsborough, ‘What Colour is the Wind’. As if all this was not enough, the first half of the concert included an organ solo by Jonathan Delbridge. Jonathan needs no introduction as his reputation goes before him and he certainly did not disappoint with his virtuoso performance of Vidor’s Toccata. For many in the audience the performance was enhanced by being able to watch Jonathan’s gymnastics on television monitors as he coordinated hands and feet to produce the inspiring sound that is so characteristic of the wonderful Cathedral instrument. There were celebrations. City of Truro introduced their new musical director, Hannah Stephenson, who conducted the choir for the first time in public. She is clearly going to achieve great things, really drawing the best out of the choir in their performances of ‘The Water is Wide’ and ‘Where Could I go but to the Lord’. And Terry Hodge, Chairman of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs, was presented with a Long Service Certificate recognising his 50 years of male voice choir singing with ECC Eastern Area MVC, St Dennis MVC and St Columba Celtic MVC. |
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The concert concluded with all four choirs combining to create that famous male voice choir wall of sound which must have been audible all over Truro. Firstly, and very appropriately, they sang ‘Jesus Shall Reign’ to the Goff Richards arrangement, Truro. John Beare, MD of Launceston MVC, took the choirs for this piece and he was followed by John Trethewey, MD of Pelynt MVC, for ‘American Trilogy, and John Harris, Assistant MD of City of Truro MC, for ‘Speed your Journey’. The evening was then brought to a close by Paul Mitchell, MD of Wadebridge MVC, who took the choirs - and then the audience too - through ‘Morte Christe’ and ‘Trelawny’. What a climax to a tremendous evening!
Another 'star of the show' was Bishop Tim, making his debut as a male voice choir concert compere. His lively and entertaining interjections kept everything moving at a brisk pace. He is going to be in great demand to carry out this function again in the near future. Look out for him at a comedy club near you.
Sent by Jim Christophers, Federation Publicity Officer
News item posted 06/09/2011
TERRY HODGE - Cornishman, Churchman and Chairman of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs
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The Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs honours those who have given long and distinguished service to male voice choir singing and on Saturday evening's Concert at Truro Cathedral, the Federation took the opportunity to honour its own Chairman, Terry Hodge. In September 1961 Terry first began a singing ‘career’ that has continued uninterrupted for 50 years! He began, as a very young man, with ECC Eastern Area Male Voice Choir, later joining the St Dennis Male Voice Choir as well. In the year 2000, Terry moved and became a valued member of the St Columba Celtic Male Voice Choir. This is his service record but in itself it does not adequately represent the contribution that a passionate Cornishman has made to male voice choir singing within the Duchy. Terry is a man with enormous energy and enthusiasm and he has applied this to the development and work of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs since its inception in 1983, for much of that time either as Vice-Chairman or Chairman. He has played a key role in all four occasions when a massed Federation choir has sung at the Royal Albert Hall in London (1983, 1988, 1994 and 2000) and he is doing so again for the proposed next occasion in November 2013. All this though, is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Terry’s activities on behalf of the Federation. There are the regular regional concerts to organise, meetings to arrange and manage, and liaising with Royal patrons and our President and Vice president, working with charities, trouble shooting on behalf of choirs in general and, sometimes, specifically, and many telephone calls! At the Federation Concert in the Cathedral on Saturday 3rd September, Bishop Tim presented Terry with a Federation Long Service Certificate in recognition of 50 years of male voice choir singing. Long may it continue. Sent by Jim Christophers, Federation Publicity Officer |
HANNAH STEPHENSON, NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR CITY OF TRURO MC
| City of Truro Male Choir welcomed their new Musical Director, Hannah Stephenson, to her first practice last week. “I grew up with the sounds of male voice choirs in my youth; music that has helped to shape the person and the musician that I am today” said Hannah. John Larke, Choir Chairman said “Hannah has come through a rigorous selection procedure and we are delighted she has accepted the appointment. The choir has grown over the last few months to just over eighty men, and we feel certain she will maintain and grow the high standards her predecessor also achieved.” Hannah went to Penair School and Truro College before leaving to study music at University. She completed her music degree in vocals and composition at Leeds College of Music where she was also awarded The “Friends Prize for Composition” as well as several other prestigious awards. In her early years at Penair School Hannah was tutored by Martin Davies, current accompanist to City of Truro Male Choir. He inspired in her a love of making music especially of the more modern composers. She developed her career in Durham as a peripatetic music teacher as well as private vocal tutor. Whilst there, she was also a member of “Palatinate Voices” a prestigious chamber choir associated with both Durham Cathedral and University. Now back home again she has accepted the invitation to be the new Musical Director for the City’s own male voice choir. Hannah had a very short lead time as she conducted the choir in Truro Cathedral on Saturday 3 September in the Cornwall Federation of Male Voice Choirs' Charity concert for the Cathedral Inspire Appeal. Sent by John Larke, City of Truro MC News item updated 06/09/2011 |
 Hannah Stephenson © Amethyst Photography |
MICHAEL UREN, MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR FOUR LANES MC
Four Lanes Male Choir is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Uren as Musical Director. Michael has served the choir as Accompanist and Deputy Musical Director for over 35 years. Four Lanes MC is a prize winning, successful choir of over 70 voices which has been established for over 65 years.
Sent by Terry Parrell, Four Lanes MC
News item posted 31/08/2011
ACCOMPANIST NEEDED FOR NEWQUAY MVC
Newquay Male Voice Choir's young accompanist, Chris Bennett, has had a car accident and suffered some injuries as a result. Fortunately he is OK and will be back with the choir later in the year - but he is probably out of action for about 6 weeks. Members all wish him a speedy recovery.
If you know of any musicians who may be able to help the choir out - even on a short-term or temporary basis - Newquay MVC is keen to hear from them. If you can help, please contact any of the Newquay choir officers, or the Chairman, Rob Spowart, on: (01637) 879446, or robspowart@googlemail.com.
Sent by Rob Spowart, Newquay MVC
News item posted 7/07/2011
CDs NOW AVAILABLE - RECORDED FROM THE CORNISH INTERNATIONAL MALE CHORAL FESTIVAL 2011
A CD containing highlights of the Festival is now available and can be ordered online at www.aboutsound.co.uk/buycd.html where the track listing can be viewed and some samples can be heard.
Contact Matthew Dilley of About Sound Limited directly if your choir wishes to order multiple copies, shipped directly to one address. Matthew Dilley, About Sound Limited. www.aboutsound.co.uk. Tel: O +44 (0)1480 353367. Mob: +44 (0)7796 953344.
News item posted 7/06/2011
TRURO CATHEDRAL OLD CHORISTERS ASSOCIATION
We have received an update on a previous news item, with revised contact details. Truro Cathedral Old Choristers Association is open to ex-choristers from any Cathedral. There may be old choristers who are not aware they would be eligible to join the Association and some may be singing in Cornish male voice choirs. Once a year, usually the third Saturday in September, members of the Association sing Evensong in the Cathedral with the present choir, followed by a dinner.
If there are any people who used to sing with any Cathedral choir the Association would like to welcome them to join in.
Please contact The Association's Chairman, Andrew Pool email: office@andrewpool.co.uk, or write to him, c/o Truro Cathedral Office, 14 St Mary's Street, Truro TR1 2AF. Or if anyone would like a quiet word, just phone Andrew on (01326) 374433.
Sent by Andrew Pool, Nankersey MCSOUVENIRS TO SELL ON BEHALF OF YOUR CHOIR
Cat Laminates, a small business run by Trevor Walker of Mousehole MVC, produces a variety of small gifts which can be personalised with the name of your choir and can include an illustration, provided by you. There is a variety of items available, including jotters, self stick notes, gift cards and fridge magnets; each can bear the logo of your choir and a photo or illustration. These are souvenirs that you may wish to sell at your concerts or other events in order to raise funds. The items can be purchased in sets of 50 and are offered at reduced rates for Federation members. For more information contact Trevor Walker, email: twpzchoral1@btconnect.com or tel: (01736) 731096.
Sample cover page of a Self-Stick Notes pad
ARRANGING A CHOIR TOUR?Neil Shepherd, MD of “Laudate!” and also a qualified travel agent and tour operator has kindly offered suggestions and advice to choirs planning tours.This item first posted June 2009 and retained for reference. Click on the link below. Tours |
This page last updated: 08 May 2012 - Linda Jones