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CHOIR NEWS and NOTICES
News, notices, musical job vacancies, achievements and items of interest
To post your choir's news items or notices on this site contact the Federation Secretary, Linda Jones on If you would like to be notified when new items are added to this page, or receive other information circulated to choirs, contact Linda Jones, Secretary, with your email address. JOINT GALA CONCERT
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| Angela Renshaw, as Musical Director, has a clear vision for the choir: to foster the boys' love of singing and music; to train the boys' singing and vocal skills to a high standard; to develop music reading and music theory through singing; to challenge the stereo-types that “boys don’t sing” and “it’s not cool to sing”; to create the finest choir of its kind in the country. |
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The choir rehearses at Truro School Prep’s Assembly Hall, by kind permission of the Headmaster and Governors of Truro School, on Tuesday evenings and on every fourth Saturday. There is to be a Falmouth satellite group formed in September this year which will rehearse at Constantine Primary School on a similar basis. All boys will then meet to rehearse on the Saturday rehearsals in Truro.
To contact the Boys' Choir you will find a link to their website listed under Associate Members on: Member Choirs .
The Federation looks forward to sharing an enjoyable musical friendship with the youth of Cornwall.
News item posted 26/07/2008AUGHTON MALE VOICE CHOIR to VISIT CORNWALL IN OCTOBER 2008
Aughton Male Voice choir from Lancashire are visiting Cornwall from the 18th -25th October 2008. The choir was formed in 1974 and from its humble origins has grown to a choir of over 60 voices.
Whilst in Cornwall they will be singing on Monday the 20th October With Newlyn Male Voice Choir, Thursday 23rd with Liskerret Male Voice Choir and Friday 24th with Newquay Male Voice Choir. On Tuesday 21st October they are in concert for the Friends of Bodmin Hospital with a guest local soloist. The choir's Musical Director, Neil Williams, is no stranger to Cornwall, having family in the area and also leading his previous choir, Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir on two concert tours of the area. Neil joined Aughton in June 2008.
Details of the concerts the choir will be performing can be found on our FUTURE CONCERTS page and also the host choir's web site, http://www.aughtonmvc.co.uk/.
Sent by Neil Williams, Aughton MVC
News item posted 17/06/2008
CORNISH MALE VOICE CHOIRS RAISE THE ROOF AT TRURO CATHEDRAL!
 BBC Conductor, Gordon Stewart is moving so fast he appears as a blur to the left of the cameramen! |
 Cheerful singers awaiting the start of recording |
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The BBC Songs of Praise recording of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs on 13 May 2008, began the Federation's celebration of its 25th Anniversary in splendid style. The singers were in magnificent voice and the sound was bursting out through the Cathedral walls and into the Truro night. It was a long evening of activity which started with lovely Hayley Westenra, soloist, who looked stunning in a long scarlet off-the-shoulder evening dress, singing Whispering Hope with a group of Cornish Federation male voice singers. Presenter, Diane Louise Jordan gave a vivacious introduction to the evening's singing. Watching the BBC making a recording is quite an experience - and the skill and team work by everyone has to be admired. |
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 BBC Presenter, Diane Louise Jordan |
A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM THE VICE CHAIRMAN Referring to the recording last evening of Songs of Praise, I hope you all enjoyed the experience. Firstly on your behalf, I would like to thank Terry Hodge, our Chairman, for all his hard work over the past few months in arranging with the BBC the opportunity to take part in such an event. I know things haven't been at all easy but I am sure that all that sinks into a distant memory once the evening such as last night is over. Secondly, may I thank all Choirmen who came along to Truro to produce what I am sure will be a terrific programme being broadcast on Sunday 2 November 2008. I know that the evening was a long one and thank you all once again for your support and commitment. Phil Taylor, Federation Vice Chairman |
 Soloist, Hayley Westenra |
| COMMENTS What an evening! I've always seen this as an opportunity to show the world what we can do and I think the world is going to be pretty impressed. Jim Christophers, Federation Publicity Officer; 14 May 2008 Tuesday evening's recording of the BBC's Songs of Praise, was I felt, to use a much worked phrase from our brilliant MD Gordon Stewart, "Absolutely Fantastic"! I think we would all agree that it was hard work but well worth the effort. Speaking to other members of St Stythians MVC on Wednesday, I found that they had very much the same experience as I did. Unable to sleep well on Tuesday, taking several hours for the adrenaline to stop pumping through the system. Who needs drugs when one can get so high just by singing?! Thank you BBC and the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs for a brilliant night. Frank Hugo, Chairman, St Stythians MVC; 15 May 2008 I took part and enjoyed it very much. My only criticism: the seating system was changed from the rehearsal night with no clear indication of how the two Bass sections or the two Tenor sections were divided. It caused a bit of wandering around looking for your seat (I still haven't found mine) and a bit of mixing between the relevant sections. Anyway it was a good evening and we all look forward to seeing it in November. Bryan Marshall, Secretary, Newlyn MC; 16 May 2008. |
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If you took part and would like to send in your comments on the evening from the singers' point of view, please send your message to the Federation Secretary, Linda Jones. See contact details above.
News item posted 14/05/2008
NEWS from the FEDERATION AGM
 Phil Taylor, Federation Vice Chairman |
 Jim Christophers, Federation Publicity Officer |
At the recent Federation Annual General Meeting, Jack Hicks, Vice Chairman and founder member of the Federation 25 years ago, stated his intention to step down. He said he was one of the original 3 who called the meeting to form a Cornish Federation and he has been very proud to work for the organisation. The Chairman thanked Jack Hicks for the 25 years of hard work and good service he has given. Phil Taylor, Musical Director of Burraton Male Voice Choir, was proposed as the new Vice Chairman, seconded and voted for unanimously by the meeting. Richard Nash, Publicity Officer, stated his intention to resign from the position, due to ill health. The Chairman thanked him for his valued contribution to the Federation over many years. Jim Christophers of Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir was proposed as new Publicity Officer, seconded and voted for unanimously by the meeting. |
At the close of the meeting, Jack Hicks presented Terry Hodge, Chairman, with a Federation Certificate in acknowledgement of his achievement in raising, through sponsorship, £615 towards the Trelawny Challenge for Children in Need last November. This was the largest single fund raising effort, which altogether raised a total of £11,784.
Launceston Male Voice Choir help to raise £1400 for the British Heart Foundation!
Launceston’s well known Male Voice Choir have just returned from a very successful tour in Gloucestershire which included taking part in a joint concert with the popular and well respected Churchdown Male Voice Choir in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The travelling party included some 60 supporters, who are so important to the choir because of their loyalty throughout the year. The two coach loads stopped off at Bristol for a tour of the SS Great Britain en route before travelling to Cheltenham on Friday evening. Saturday was spent sightseeing around the town before the party travelled to the Churchdown Community Centre for the evening performance.
The Churchdown Choir were guests of Launceston MVC in 2006 and the two choirs performed together at Central Methodist Church; this year was the return trip by the Cornish choir to the Cotswolds. The concert, held on Saturday 12th April, raised in excess of £1400 for the British Heart Foundation. Thirty-eight choristers form Launceston joined with 52 from Churchdown to perform a varied programme to a capacity audience of 230, who responded with rapturous applause. The Launceston choir’s highlights were Proper Job, The Newquay Fisherman’s Song, and The Floral Dance – by far the most popular, with the audience clapping and singing along to the well known chorus - and Churchdown’s were a medley of songs from the musical “Paint your Wagon” and various other well known pieces such as The Lost Chord and Jubilate. The concert was brought to an exciting climax when both choristers combined to sing the Rhythm of Life, Gwahoddiad and Morte Criste to name a few.
Following a most enjoyable coach tour of the Costwolds on Sunday, the Lanson travellers enjoyed an impromptu private performance, which included cameo items by various members of the party, who wish to remain anonymous. On the way back to Cornwall on Monday, the weekend was brought to an appropriate end with the choir performing at Wells Cathedral in Somerset, to an audience of 150 people. This was an experience that will be remembered for a long time. A completely different repertoire to suit the occasion included “Cornwall” sung to the Welsh tune of Myfanwy, You raise me up, Shall we gather at the River and The Rose. The concert finished with a moving rendition of The Blessing of Aaron.
Lanson Choir Chairman, Brian Jennings, says “This was a very enjoyable occasion for everyone who went on the trip. The friendliness is so strong between the supporters and the choir, that it ensures no-one goes home disappointed. On top of that, the comradeship between the choristers from the two choirs just added to the occasion. Our Musical Director, John Beare, is to be congratulated on his choice of music, Carole Baker, our accompanist, who’s contribution is invaluable throughout the year, but particularly so when we go away on tour and all the Choristers, for all the hard work they have put in”.
The Launceston MV Choir has a busy diary of concerts in the local area through the rest of the year, including a Gala Concert with the renowned Barnstaple Male Voice Choir and featuring soloist Hannah Jackson on the 31st May at Launceston Central Church at 7pm. Tickets available from Choir members.
Musical Director: John Beare Tel: 01566 772263
Chairman: Brian Jennings Tel: 01409 271336
Secretary: Tony Carter Tel: 01566 773314
Sent by Tony Carter, Launceston MVC
News item posted 23/04/2008
NEW ACCOMPANIST, ALAN DAWE, FOR TINTAGEL ORPHEUS MVC
Tintagel Orpheus Male Voice Choir now has a new accompanist, Alan Dawe, who has recently joined after having moved from Newquay to Camelford.
Under his professional name of Alan St. Clair, he has spent a lifetime working in the entertainment and tourism industry as a dancer, singer, DJ, piano bar entertainer, cruise director and corporate events manager. Unfortunately an ongoing illness led him to having a leg amputated in 2006 and when he came out of hospital he felt very stranded, so became increasingly involved in disability matters and he has been able to help many through his website, www.disabledcornwall.co.uk .
The Choir are indeed fortunate to have such a talented and accomplished pianist as their new accompanist and look forward to a long and happy musical future with Alan.
Sent by Valerie Stephens, Tintagel Orpheus MVC
News item posted 19/04/2008
Choirs raise over £1100 for the Precious Lives Appeal
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The new Cornwall Boys’ Choir and St Stythians Male Voice Choir have together raised £1175 for the Children’s Hospice Southwest’s Precious Lives Appeal. This total was raised last month at a shared concert in Stithians. Billed as Voices of Angels, this was the Boys’ Choir’s first concert. The choir, which is composed of boys aged between 7 and 14, is directed by Angela Renshaw. The Boys put on a fine performance which included the singing of three foreign language numbers. They deserved and received a standing ovation. The St Stythians Male Voice Choir, directed by Ken Downing, hosted the concert. Emma Lloyd, of Radio Cornwall fame, who now works for CHSW as its Precious Lives Appeal Manager, attended the concert. She also came to Stithians this week to receive the donation from Frank Hugo, the Chairman of St Stythians Male Voice Choir. |
The choirs would like to thank the audience for their generous support for Precious Lives.
Sent by David Hutson, St Stythians MVC
News item posted 18/04/2008
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 MCNews item posted 18/04/2008
NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR CONSTANTINE MVC
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Ben started conducting five years ago, at the age of 23, with the West Cornwall Concert Band. At the same time he was deputy Musical Director of the HMS Seahawke Volunteer Band. He then Joined Helston Town Band as a percussionist where he is still an active member. Ben says this experience fuelled his hunger to succeed as a musical director. He worked for a period taking Constantine Silver Band, and has now switched to taking the Choir. Ben is extremely proud to be conducting Constantine Male Voice Choir. They're an enthusiastic bunch of men, he says, who want to progress as a choir and he looks forward to working with them. |
Constantine Male Voice Choir meets to practise on Monday evenings (19:30 - 21:00) in the Constantine Social Club. If you are interested to find out more about them please call Paul Yockney, Choir Secretary. Tel: (01326) 340405.
New Members will be made most welcome.
News item posted 17/04/2008
THE CORNISH ARE COMING!
Cousin Jacks and Jennies from around the World will be descending on Looe and South East Cornwall during the first week of September 2008 for the third Dehwelans Festival. Dehwelans means the Homecoming in Cornish and it is estimated that there may be over six million people worldwide that are of Cornish descent.
Festival programme
The Festival regularly features male voice choirs and this year is no exception with the Polperro Fisherman's and Pelynt Male Voice Choirs featuring in the Gorsedd bardic gathering which is on at the same time as Dehwelans.
Other events planned include Cornish Troyl & Noze Looan, Theatre performances, Choir concerts, Childrens entertainment, Local produce market, Early Bird Catches the Fish, market tour, Sheila’s School of Dancing The Smugglers Tale dance show, TASTE SE Cornwall group ‘Grazing on the Quay’, Photographic exhibition, Guided heritage trails, Methodism lecture, World Heritage Site lecture, Family history studies and links to the County Records office at the Looe Enterprise Centre, ‘Cornish Shorts’ film show, RNLI concert and a Looe Valley walk to name but a few. Sir John Trelawny has also agreed to read excerpts from his book the Islanders and a rip has been arranged to tour Trelawne Manor near Looe with a Cornish cream tea.
For more information on the Cornish Gorsedd go to www.gorsethkernow.org.uk. To book contact Looe Tourist Information Centre Telephone 44 (0)1503 262072. Email looetic@btconnect.com or go to www.dehwelanskernow.com to download a booking form. For more information on Dehwelans Looe 2008 contact Edwina Arkell co-ordinator on 44 (0)1503 264160 Mobile 07717203725. Email dehwelanslooe@btconnect.com. We have a link to the Dehwelans website on - Links .
Sent by Edwina Arkell, Dehwelans Looe 2008 Co-ordinator
News item posted 29/03/2008
MOUSEHOLE MVC APPROACH THEIR CENTENARY IN 2009
WITH PLANS FOR A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS!
1909-2009 - THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
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In 2009 Mousehole Male Voice Choir will be celebrating its Centenary. This will be a significant milestone in its history for both the Choir and the community. In the autumn of 1909, a group of nine local men came together in a net loft to rehearse Christmas Carols. From this humble beginning the Choir has progressed successfully for almost a century, and the Choir now has a membership of over seventy singers.
This is the earliest known picture of the choir, taken in 1911. Back Row: T. B.WORTH, J. WARREN, R. H. THOMAS, R. PENTREATH, J. C. MATTHEWS, W. F. BRYANT (Conductor) Front Row: W. HARVEY, E. F. WATERS, NETTIE PENDER (nee George), C. ASH, E. MATTHEWS (Accompanist) |
CENTENERY CELEBRATION PLANS
A special committee has been formed to arrange concerts, trips and special events, which aim to involve the community. The Choir President Douglas Williams M.B.E., is preparing for publication a Choir History Book which will contain over seventy photographs, many from very early days. The book will be launched at the Penlee Gallery, Penlee Park, Penzance on the 28th November 2008. This will coincide with the opening of an Exhibition depicting the history of Mousehole, including its traditions with the Choir. It is hoped that a special light display will be featured at the famous Mousehole Christmas Illuminations for Christmas 2008 and 2009.
Special Commemorative Plaques will be placed at Mousehole Methodist Chapel, Paul Parish Church and also in Duck Street where the Choir originated. A Choir Music Workshop led by Alan Simmons will take place in March 2009 at Penzance Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street, Penzance. This will be open to all the Male Voice Choirs in the County. See News item on this page dated 31/01/2008.
At the end of May 2009 a tour to Ireland lasting a week is planned. Concerts will take place in Rosslare and Killarney. The following month in June Midsummer a flower display and Choir Exhibition has been arranged at Paul Parish Church. Concerts will be performed by the Choir with Special Guests. The Annual Summer Festival 2009 is at St Mary’s Church Penzance on Sunday the 2nd August. The Guest Artist will be the popular and talented Alistair Taylor. A shared concert with the Redruth Operatic Society, who are also celebrating their Centenary, will be held at Penzance in the spring and at Redruth in the autumn.
Further details of the Choir's events will be announced later this year. It is hoped that as many people as possible will enjoy sharing in the Choir Celebrations.
Sent by Tim James, Secretary, Mousehole MVC
News item posted 01/03/2008
NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR for TINTAGEL ORPHEUS MVC
Tintagel Orpheus Male Male Voice Choir is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Musical Director, Penny Barclay.
Penny Barclay is an experienced teacher of the piano, cello and academic music. She studied at the Purcell School of Music and then at the Royal Academy of Music. She has a fine reputation for quality work with students and adults where attention to detail is of key importance. Her specialist areas include chamber music and small vocal ensembles. The Choir is delighted with their new appointment.
Sent by Valerie Stephens, Publicity Officer, Tintagel Orpheus MVC
News item posted 02/02/2008
MUSIC WORKSHOPS
arranged by MOUSEHOLE MVC - OPEN TO FEDERATION MEMBERS
Mousehole Male Voice Choir will be opening their Music Workshops to members of the Federation next year. These workshops will be part of the Choir's 100th Anniversary celebrations in 2009 and are planned to take place around 21 or 28 March 2009. They will be led by Alan Simmons.
Further details will follow when the plans have been made final.
Sent by S Lawry, Musical Director, Mousehole MVC
News item posted 31/01/2008
A HISTORY OF ST STYTHIANS MALE VOICE CHOIR
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St Stythians Male Voice Choir celebrated its 60th Anniversary Year in 2007. It seemed like a good idea to capture various articles about our history, written over the years, mostly by ex-Chairman Stan Stephens. Stan agreed to do this with David Hutson acting as editor, typist, etc. We are pleased to say that we finished in late December. St Stythians Male Voice Choir - a Brief History by S J Stephens (52 pages with 13 illustrations) is now available. Details from 1913 are included. Information from these early days is obviously limited and we are lucky to have what we have. Conversely, Stan can fill many pages with the events of the last ten years. We chose to include a fairly detailed account of recent years so that we do not receive complaints in 50 years' time that too much information has been lost! The founding date of the Choir presented a dilemma. It is known that a male choir was formed in Stithians in 1913. So why are we not waiting until 2013 to produce 100 Years of Song? One reason is to prevent the Grim Reaper from limiting more sources of information. The main reason is that January 1947 marks the formation of the ‘modern choir’ and anniversaries have traditionally been calculated from that time. The earlier period is an interesting mixture of fact, memory and speculation. |
Plenty of hard historical fact is given. The names of 168 singers (since 1947) are given in the Appendix. Many of these will be well known to Stithians residents and we hope that this will be a main feature of interest locally. Looking further, the history may be of value in the wider context of male voice singing in Cornwall.
The book is available, priced £3 (£4 by post) from Stan Stephens (01209 860077) and David Hutson (01326 319943).
Sent by David Hutson, St Stythians MVC
News item posted 15/01/2008
NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED for TINTAGEL ORPHEUS MVC
Tintagel Orpheus Male Male Voice Choir are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Musical Director. Penny Barclay is an experienced teacher of piano, cello and academic music. She studied at the Purcell School of Music and then at the Royal Academy of Music. She has a fine reputation for quality work with students and adults where attention to detail is of key importance. Penny Barclay's specialist areas include chamber music and small vocal ensembles. The Choir is delighted to welcome their new Musical Director and look forward to working together.
Sent by Valerie Stephens, Tintagel Orpheus MVC
News item posted 18/11/2007
WADEBRIDGE CALL TO NEW MEMBERS!
The 50+ Wadebridge Male Voice Choir is looking to maintain a good balance across the sections as the choir grows in numbers. In particular new members are especially welcome from top tenors.
Practices are every Wednesday in the Willis Hall, Wadebridge at 7.30pm. If you are interested please contact Taff Williams: Tel 01208 814717.
Sent by Brian Wood, Wadebridge MVC
News item posted 22/06/2007
A LIVELY PIECE OF MUSIC OFFERED TO CHOIRS
We have received a letter from a choir member enclosing a piece of music he has composed, together with the words to accompany it. He would like to know what the male voice choirs think of it, and would be happy if it could be used when recording a CD to raise funds for charity. If you would like to know more about this music, please contact the Secretary, Linda Jones. Contact details shown above.
News item posted 01 August 2006
SOUVENIRS 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
News item posted 11 May 2006
CORNISH MUSIC WEBSITE OFFERS TO SELL YOUR CHOIR'S CDs
The Federation has been contacted by a company known as Top of the Hill which has been selling Cornish music since 2003 and offers the facility of selling music on CD on a commission basis. They are keen to include male voice choirs in their range of stock. They suggest this could help choirs raise funds and also awareness of male voice singing. Their spokesmen, Tim and Sue Chapple, state: "We do all the online promotion and handle the sales - your members set the retail price and we ask for 30% commission. ... It's very important to us that we represent the whole spectrum of Cornish music. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be involved."
Their website is www.cornishmusic.com.
News item posted 29 April 2006
This page last updated: 27 August 2008 - Linda Jones