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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. 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
FANCY A SING SONG FOR MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE?
Marie Curie Cancer Care is inviting everyone to 'Sing Out for Marie Curie Cancer Care this Christmas'. Whether you are singing with a choir, a church group or just with friends, the charity wants you to dedicate a Christmas performance to raising funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Every note sung will help Marie Curie Nurses provide free nursing care to patients with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes and in the charity’s hospices. Marie Curie Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals will be working throughout Christmas and the New Year, ensuring terminally ill patients can spend Christmas at home with their families. Last year, 375 Marie Curie Nurses cared for patients on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
All you need to do is choose a date anytime during November and December to hold your singing event. Decide where you are going to host your event - it could be anywhere, such as your local church, town hall, shopping centre, workplace or school.
Registration is open until the 25 November 2011. To find out more about how you can organise your own event, please call 08700 340 040 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/singout.
Click here for Registration Form Sing Out Recruitment Leaflet.
News item posted 24 September 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
A REMINDER TO TAKE CARE WHEN ARRANGING CHOIR TOURS
Newquay Male Voice Choir report that they had booked with Hookways Coach Holidays for a long weekend tour to Bournemouth in November. Fortunately (in the light of Mousehole MVC's experience) they had checked at the time of booking, to ensure that the company was covered by some form of bonding/guarantee. Hookways went into administration just a short time after some £5,000 was paid as booking deposit towards the total costs. As a result, the trip will be going ahead, but with a different coach company. Newquay choristers will not have to contribute any more than the original agreed price and the choir is not likely to be out of pocket.
Rob Spowart, Chairman of Newquay MVC, states that this is a salutory reminder of the present hard economic times and when you book a holiday with advanced payments, it is not easy to guarantee at that time that the holiday will proceed as planned. The guarantee would not apply unless it was a holiday with both travel and accommodation booked through that company. The trip was underwritten by BCH (Bonded Coach Holidays) who have worked hard to avoid any disappointment or difficulties arising from the failure of one of their member companies.
News item posted 17/08/2011
ST COLUMBA CELTIC MVC CLOSED
It is with regret that members of St Columba Celtic Male Voice Choir have agreed to close after many years giving pleasure to music lovers across Cornwall.
The choir was formed by the late Ivan Kessell in 1970 and there were still founder members with the choir up to the time of its closure, August 2011. The choir had forged links with many other choirs in the country, for example, Ynys y Bwll, Dorchester, Forest of Dean and many others. They had especially strong links with the Bedfordshire Police Choir. St Columba Celtic MVC participated in the four festivals of Cornish Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in addition regularly took part in Federation Concerts within Cornwall. Recently the choir made a tour of Ireland where they sang with Wexford MVC. They also took part in one of the Gala Concerts associated with the 2009 Cornish International Male Choral Festival.
The Choir released its latest CD recording last year, entitled “As Long As I Have Music”. Remaining copies are available at £10 each – phone:
Edward Old, (01637) 880618.
News item posted 17/08/2011
HONOUR FOR KEN DOWNING, MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR ST STYTHIANS MVC
St Stythians Male Voice Choir's Musical Director, Ken Downing, received an invitation to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party held on Wednesday 29th June. Our past Chairman Frank Hugo had been working quietly and patiently for some months last year to gain public recognition of the many years of service put in by Ken. His efforts succeeded. Ken and Kathryn duly appeared at the front gates of the Palace and spent an unforgettable and enjoyable afternoon in glorious June weather with Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Philip and others.
An official photograph is shown here. Note Ken’s Cornish tartan tie. This was recognised and proved to be a point of contact with a few other Cornish folk invited to the Party.
We are all delighted that our Music Team could attend and enjoy this event. Alas, we cannot add “By Appointment” to our choir logo. Ken’s recognition was for Services to the Community. It is fitting that his dedication to male voice singing and to band work in the village and in Cornwall and to the Stithians Show and other village activities could be celebrated in this way.
Ken Downing and Kathryn Baldry at Buckingham Palace
Sent by David Hutson, St Stythians MVC
News item posted 21/07/2011
PRESTIGIOUS ROYAL INVITATION
Representatives of Mousehole Male Voice Choir were presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on June 3rd 2011 when she arrived at Penzance Station. This was in recognition of the many thousands of pounds the choir has collected for various charities during its one hundred and two year existence.
The choir President, Mr Douglas Williams, MBE, introduced the Chairman, Mr Reg Osborne, and choir Secretary, Mr Tim James, to the Queen. A gift of the choir book, “Century of Song” was presented to Her Majesty. The choir was honoured to be invited to attend on the recommendation of the Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Jan Ruhrmund.
Sent by Trevor Walker, Mousehole 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
MARAZION APOLLO MVC BID FAREWELL TO IVAN COBB
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On Tuesday 26th April 2011, the choir bade farewell to one of its longest serving members. At Wesley Rock Methodist Chapel, Heamoor, members of the choir sang "Bring Him Home" as part of the celebration of the life of Ivan Cobb. Ivan had been a member of Marazion Apollo for more than 55 years and received his Certificate of Long Service accordingly earlier this year from our Chairman, Peter Sandford. Ivan had been granted Life Membership on achieving his 50 years' service. He had been a keen member of the first tenor section and even after ill health prevented him from participation in concerts, he attended choir practice sessions whenever possible. Ivan had been a choir member through the Golden Years of the 50's, 60's and 70's when the choir won many accolades and competitions at the highest level, and encouraged the current membership to work toward both concerts and competitions with optimism and enthusiasm. The funeral service did not concentrate on the sadness of the great loss for family and friends but on celebrating a life well lived and well loved by those with whom he came into contact. |
Sent by Stuart Meyers, Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir
News item posted 25 May 2011
CORNISH FEDERATION OF MALE VOICE CHOIRS RECEIVES ROYAL PATRONAGE
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The Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs is pleased and proud to announce that HRH The Prince of Wales The Duke of Cornwall, and The Duchess of Cornwall, have accorded the Federation the honour of becoming its Patrons. Chairman of the Federation, Terry Hodge, commented: “This is a marvellous fillip for the Federation. We would like to thank their Royal Highnesses for this great honour. Our thanks also go to Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, for her support in helping us to receive what must be the highest Royal honour for any Cornish organisation. I have to say that when I opened the letter that arrived in my post box, I could hardly take it in at first. It was wonderful news. “Receiving such high order Royal patronage has come at a time when the Federation is just beginning to make arrangements for a massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, hopefully in November 2013. Perhaps this will present an opportunity for us to perform for our Patrons.” |
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The Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs brings the male voice choirs of Cornwall together, currently representing over one thousand participating singers. We are proud of the work we do in the community, promoting Cornwall’s musical heritage and raising funds for charities.
This year the Federation will be holding a concert at Truro Cathedral on Saturday 3rd September in aid of the Cathedral’s Inspire Fund. In addition, a set of regional Federation Concerts will be held across Cornwall over the next 12 months, raising funds for local charities. The first of these is in Saltash Wesley Church on Saturday 16th July when Burraton, Pelynt and Launceston Male Voice Choirs will be performing. Another will take place in Redruth Methodist Church on Saturday, 26th November with Holman-Climax, Mevagissey and Mousehole Male Voice choirs together with their guests, the Cornwall Boys Choir. Concerts in Penzance and Bodmin are also in the early stages of organisation.
News item posted 23 May 2011
OBITUARY
Frank Hugo, Chairman, St Stythians Male Voice Choir
Our Choir’s springtime involves mixed emotions. We had the satisfaction of a very good performance at the Fifth International Cornwall Male Choral Festival. But we are saddened by the loss of our Chairman, Frank Hugo. We knew that Frank was seriously ill and he was in our thoughts on stage at the Hall for Cornwall on Saturday 30th April. Frank died after a short illness on 4th May. We shall miss him in many ways. He was a good chairman figure with his RAF style twirled moustache and he was well known in Cornwall’s male voice world. He sang also with the Cornwall Choir and more recently with the Cornwall Symphony Chorus. More importantly, he was a caring person, well organised and a ‘working’ Chairman. Frank was meticulous in following up illness and problems amongst choir members. He was the one who brought the ‘get well’ cards for signing and posting. Those of us involved with organising events knew that Frank would be there working behind the scenes - not just up front taking the credit.
Frank was a Cornishman and proud of it. Hugo is a name well known to the Cornwall Family History Society. We sang two songs at Frank’s funeral on 18th May in thanks for his time with the Choir: Hail to the Homeland and Take me Home. We shall miss him.
Sent by David Hutson, General Secretary, St Stythians Male Voice Choir
18 May 2011
WADEBRIDGE MVC RECRUITING
Over the last few months Wadebridge Male Voice Choir has welcomed a number of new members who are settling in well and enjoying the fellowship and diverse repertoire. As a result of this the choir needs top Tenors to consider joining the choir. This is necessary to maintain the overall balance of the sections as the choir expands.
The choir rehearses every Wednesday under the direction of Paul Mitchell at 7.30pm, above the Churchill Club, Molesworth Street, Wadebridge. If you would like to come along, you will be made very welcome. For further details Contact: Taff Williams Tel 01208 814717.
Sent by Brian Wood, Wadebridge MVC
News item posted 16/05/2011
FOUR LANES MALE CHOIR TRIUMPHS AGAIN at this year's International Male Choral Festival
Four Lanes Male Choir were awarded 2nd place in the Over 41 Voice class at Truro on Saturday 30 April. This is the third time the choir has entered this competition. We were second in 2007, narrowly losing to Colne Valley MVC; we came first in 2009 - and second this time to Canoldir MVC from Birmingham. This is a great record that does Cornwall proud.
Sent by Terry Parrell, Four Lanes MC
News item posted 08/05/2011
MOUSEHOLE MVC LOSES 'Father of the House', Garfield Matthews
Mousehole Male Voice Choir regrets to announce the death of a very loyal and long serving member, Garfield Matthews, who first joined the choir in 1939. Only war service and some years of shift work kept him away from the choir; he would otherwise have created an even greater record for length of membership. Despite that break, Garfield could rightly be regarded as the 'Father of the House'.
Garfield was still singing with the choir at the age of 87 and the Choir's President, Douglas Williams, took pleasure in awarding Life Membership to Garfield Matthews at the choir's 78th Summer Festival Concert in St Mary's Church, Penzance on Sunday 1 August 2010. Douglas remarked that singing, like Guinness, must be good for you.
Garfield made the choir a real family affair with his son, John, also a member; Garfield's wife, Betty and John's wife, Kath, are the keenest of supporters for the choir and granddaughters, Jenna and Morwenna, are regular guest duettists with the choir. And outside of the male voice ambit, Garfield and the whole family were to be found in church choirs and a wide range of other musical activities which had the aim of benefitting others, and no doubt, these will be continued by his family.
Sent by Trevor Walker, Mousehole MVC
News item posted 24/03/2011
A NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR RAME PENINSULA MALE VOICE CHOIR
Rame Peninsula MVC is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Delbridge as their new Musical Director. Jonathan is a very well qualified young professional, well known to many in the Federation. He is keen, with some refreshing ideas and enthusiastic about taking the choir forward. Jonathan will be coming to Germany with the choir in May this year, and the members also look forward to peforming with Jonathan in the company of their Federation friends throughout the years ahead.
Sent by Roland Stuart, Rame Peninsula MVC
News item posted 04/03/2011
LONG SERVICE AWARDS FOR FOUNDER MEMBERS and MUSICAL DIRECTOR
 David Laity receives 60 Year Certificate from Roy Garside |
 Michael Parsons receives 60 Year Certificate from Ronald Eyre |
Nankersey Male Choir celebrated the long service given to male voice singing by two of their founder members, David Laity and Michael Parsons who are still singing with the choir after 60 years. Presentations were made to David Laity by Roy Garside, retiring President and to Michael Parsons by the current President, Ronald Eyre. Both the founder members are baritones. They were presented with Certificates from Nankersey Male Choir and also from the The Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs. Additionally they were each given an engraved tankard from Nankersey Male Choir in appreciation of their achievements.
Roy Garside presented the choir's Musical Director, Elaine Tangye, with a Long Service Certificate in acknowledgement of her 20 years working with the choir.
Elaine Tangye, Musical Director of Nankersey MC
Sent by Fred Bidgood, Nankersey MC
News item posted 01/03/2011
A MESSAGE FROM BENDIGO - THE CORNISH CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA!
For all who love Cornwall and its wonderful Celtic heritage
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Hello One and All! With the wonders of modern computerised communication we can now deliver to you photographs of the BUSHFIRE MEMORIAL erected by the people of Cornwall and financed by The Federation of Male Voice Choirs in Cornwall to whom we in Bendigo are indebted. The monument has been erected at St Just Point in Bendigo for all to see and remember. Further up the hill the City of Greater Bendigo has also erected a wonderful BUSHFIRE MEMORIAL which was opened by the Mayor of the City, Cllr. Rod Fyffe, just two years after the horrific bushfire which destroyed so much bush land and homes in this city. Centre piece of this Memorial is a “Fire Tree” which is also pictured here for you to see. Two of the speakers at the service both lost their homes and all their possessions on that tragic day, one being our cousin Gail Allan and the other, Karen Ponti. As a background to this memorial is the restored Cornish Miner's Cottage named Coath Cottage. You can see an outline of the cottage in the background in the photograph of the two girls. Sadly another man, Mick Kane, lost his life in St Just Point on that horrific day. He was remembered in a wonderful but sad and touching speech by his sister Jill Ryan. Oll an Gwella - Tom and Libby |
Gwella gorhemmynadow ha Kernow bys Vyken! Best Wishes and Cornwall for ever!
Sent by Tom and Libby Luke, Bendigo, Australia
News item posted 27/02/2011
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: 04 January 2012 - Linda Jones