Boys
Do Sing!
It's Cool and It's Healthy!
Boys
do sing, in fact the 'boys' of the Swindon Male Voice Choir have been singing
for 89 years. We are now looking for singers to help us to celebrate our 90th
Anniversary next year and to enable us to maintain our continued success and to
sustain our performances into the future.
For
nearly 90 Years we have been raising money for good causes and bringing
enjoyment to the people of Swindon and beyond and overseas (
We
are organising an 'Open Evening' on
Monday 9th June at the New Century Club in Gorse Hill,
Why
not come along and see what you are missing. Please ring 01793 740653 if you
would like to come.
Swindon Male Voice Choir is proud to announce that the Mayor of Swindon has formally been appointed as the Choir’s Patron.
The Choir has been a proud
So it is that the Choir sought to affirm its ties to
The invitation was instantly and warmly accepted and on Saturday 6th October 2007 at the Choir’s Show at the Wyvern Theatre, a formal presentation was made to the present Mayor, Councillor Michael Barnes in recognition of the appointment. Councillor Barnes was delighted to be the first Mayor to take the position as Patron. He extended his congratulations to the Choir for an excellent performance and wished them every success for the coming year, adding that he would be pleased to attend further choir events.
The Wyvern Theatre Show featured the Choir with their guests the Band of the Prince of Wales’s Division from Tidworth. An excellent band, which played entertaining music with real felling and performance from the well loved ‘Old Comrades’ to a wonderful medley of music by ‘Ray Charles’.
The show started with a true flourish as the Band and Choir
performed an arrangement of the South African National Anthem – little did
they know where the
During the Show donations were made to the Corps of Army Music Trust and to the local branch of the motor Neurone Disease Association.
An excellent Show – looking forward to the next one……
The Show was sponsored by:
Canadian
Tour 2007...
The
magnificence of the Canadian Rockie mountains – breathtaking!!
Calgary, Lake Louise, Nelson, Kelowna, and Vancouver are all new places where Swindon Male Voice Choir have proudly represented Swindon, and successfully demonstrated the entertainment, the quality and craft that makes the choir so popular.
Concert
ready at United Church, Nelson, British Columbia.
Swindon Male Voice Choir has
just returned from a two week concert tour of western Canada, presenting five
concerts during the first nine days of the tour. Of those events four were supporting local charity and church
charitable causes. Good and large
audiences, that gained in number as we travelled Canada appreciated the
choir’s varied music selection and especially commented on the enjoyment that
the choir presented with their singing.
United
Church, Nelson – a fine and friendly venue
The final event was at White Rock, Vancouver with the Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir and presented in a most delightful church with a full audience that delighted in the choir’s ability to sing traditional male music as well as presenting exciting and well delivered items selected from Disney films! In fact at the end of the Choir’s performance they received a rousing standing ovation that left a wonderful friendly glow of pride in all of the choristers.
Swindon
Male Voice Choir with their hosts, Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir
The Choir was proud to represent
Swindon as we travelled and were constantly learning that many people in Canada
have Swindon connections and ties. One
special moment was enjoyed in Merritt, British Columbia where we were invited to
‘pop-in’ for tea and cakes by our coach driver’s Mum!
Despite a tight time schedule we popped in to Merritt to a wonderful
Heritage House (a living 1880’s museum house) where we were greeted by many
Merritt residents. Among them was a
person who’s father was the Great Western Railway Station Master at Swindon
Station in 1951, and he still had his father’s station master’s hat to prove
it! After singing to the residents
of Merritt for half an hour we loaded back on the coach heading for Vancouver
and the evening Concert at White Rock.
Great
Western Railway – Swindon Station Master’s Hat from 1951
(stored
in Merritt, British Columbia).
A highlight at the early part of
the tour was an informal concert performance at the invitation of the Management
of the Fairmont Chateau situated in the shore of Lake Louise.
A stunning venue sited at the edge of the lake, and bordered by the most
amazing snow capped mountain landscape, with the red hues of the evening sun
setting the scene firmly in our minds for all time.
At the Chateau is a prime most exclusive hotel and we were proud to
accept the opportunity to meet and sing for their resident guests.
This event joined us with hotel guests of many nations, Japan, China,
Australia, Germany, Spain, USA, and of course, Canada - to mention those we were
aware of - who clapped and cheered enthusiastically as the choir delivered its
music. Driving back to our hotel we
were astonished – and delighted - to meet with a full grown grizzly bear and
her two cubs, a sight rarely seen in such circumstances.
We stayed on the coach, not sure they would appreciate our singing!
The whole evening was a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable experience
for the choir and our wives/partners.
Choir
ready for performance at Fairmont Chateau, Lake Loiuse.
Through
the arched window – Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise – view to the frozen lake
Of course there was a little time for relaxation at various points on the tour, in particular for the 14 Choir men who sampled the experience of white water rafting on the Kananskis River, and Horseshoe Canyon near Calgary. It was cold, and despite snow falls the two previous days the sun shone all day as we rode the rapids with expert tuition along the way, took a swim, tried rock jumping and all among the most amazing scenery of the Kootenay Rockies. What an experience for the young guys and the ‘70 somethings’ who enjoyed every minute of the challenges of the rivers.
Some
of the White water rafters regaining some body heat!
Members of the Choir prepared
and organised this trip at their own expense, arranging the concert venues, the
travel itinerary, hotels etc. The
choir could not make such a trip without the support of its Director of Music,
Max Brockman-More and Accompanist Kate Lock.
Max was able to reign in the excitement of touring in such fabulous areas
and scenery to ensure the choir performance was equally excited and of the best
standard to please our audience. With
friendly repartee and humour Max won the hearts of audiences across Canada,
adding an extra dimension to the Choir’s performances.
During the concert event the Choir was support by three soloists, two
choir members, Simon Grove and Paul Franklin, and also by Rachel
Spencer-Matthews. Rachel sings with
Thamesdown Ladies Choir and was delighted to be asked to share the stage during
the Male Choir’s tour of Canada. Rachel
was especially pleased to have sung for a truly international audience at the
exclusive Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise!
In brief that summarises the Tour. A busy, enjoyable, highly successful ‘international’ concert tour that choir members will remember for many years, for the friendship of Canadian people and enjoyment shown by our audiences at every event. Who knows, may be one day we will return!
The
Bow River through the Bow Valley at Banff.
There are many hundreds of
photos of the tour, and I have a few attached for you. If you want to view more, please give us a call!
Gordie Smith
Concert Secretary
Swindon Male Voice Choir
01793 822495
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