Saturday, 16th March, 2024 – Concert in Aid of the Swindon Parkinson’s Activity Group
Swindon Male Voice Choir, with special guests, A Splash of Red’, a ladies choir from Fairford, Gloucester performed in St Paul’s Church, Covingham, Swindon.
The following excerpt appeared in the Parkinson’s Activity Group Newsletter: ‘The evening was a wonderful mix of music. Songs to stir your heartstrings and reflect, and songs to make you chuckle. The soloists, accompanists and musical directors are all superb. Total donations to Swindon Parkinson’s Activity Group is a very generous £703.59. Everyone enjoyed these performances and we hope to have this opportunity again’ by Dee Vaughan /Kerry Hartman.
SMVC is a big supporter of Parkinson’s UK and the Swindon Activity Group and we will certainly be organising concerts in the future in support this charity. The following photographs were taken of the concert:
December 2023 Review
Our Annual Carol Concert at Christ Church, Swindon took place on 15th December but we also took part in three other events:
18th December – Carols at Prospect Hospice, Swindon.
20th December – High Street Club, Old Town Swindon.
30th November (almost December!) – Deacon’s Jewellers, Old Town, Swindon. We thank Deacon’s for their continued support of the choir.
The following photographs capture some of the events.
The Christ Church concert raised £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society and over £400 in the retiring collection to benefit the church’s, Christmas ‘Beacon on the Hill’ activities.
John Griggs was recognised for his incredible 40 years of service with SMVC. He was presented with a SMVC engraved clock and framed certificate by our President, Shirley Ludford and the Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Barbara Parry.
Once again the talented Janice Thompson Performance Trust supported the concert.
Wroughton Silver Band added their special sound of Christmas to the concert.
Also recognised at this concert for his amazing 60 years of service was Wroughton Silver Band’s Musical Director, Neil Webb.
To round off a great evening the two choirs combined for the final item.
These photographs were taken at the Prospect Hospice, Swindon where we sang carols and presented a cheque of £750 for the Prospect Foundation. The funds were raised though a concert and a donation, received by the choir, in memory of Leon Mincher, ex. SMVC Chairman (2020-23) who sadly died of cancer earlier in the year.
These photographs were taken at the High Street Club, Old Town where, following our carol singing, we collected an amazing £265 from patrons for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Finally, the choir meet up at a local pub to have a Christmas drink.
Friday, 08/12/23 – St Mary’s Church, Rodbourne Cheney, Swindon
At this event, to raise funds for St. Mary's Church SMVC sang a mixture of songs from their repertoire and carols. There were also some congregational carols and some solo performances.
The following pictures capture some of the evenings' performances.
Saturday 15th July – Season Finale Concert, raising funds for Prospect Hospice, Swindon. The concert was held at Christ Church, Old Town Swindon, where SMVC teamed up with Andover Ladies Choir and guest singers Katie Silvester and Ashlea Ferguson.
Although SMVC regularly support the Prospect Foundation cancer charity, we again recognised its importance this year, Two SMVC members have died from cancer, at relatively young ages, over the last few months. They are Max Brockman-More (ex. MD) and Leon Mincher (ex. Chairman), so it was very fitting that we raised money for this very worthy charity.
SMVC were delighted to be joined on stage by Andover Ladies Choir, conducted by founder and MD. Clare Oliver. Andover Ladies Choir have gone from strength to strength since formation in 2017, winning the Folk Song, Pop/Show Song and Sacred Classes at the Mid-Somerset Festival this year, also achieving the only 'Outstanding of the Day' Award.
Special guests Katie Silvester and Ashlea Ferguson provided some superbly entertaining performances of songs from the musicals, 'Ghost', 'Wicked' and 'Kiss me, Kate'.
The following pictures capture some of the evenings' performances.
First, the afternoon rehearsal.
Andover Ladies Choir open the concert.
SMVC's DM, Kirstie Smith welcomes the audience and our guests.
SMVC take to the stage.
Katie Silvester and Ashlea Ferguson give a powerful theatrical performance of the song, 'For Good', from the musical, 'Wicked'.
Combined Choir items included songs called, 'O Love' and It Don't Mean A Thing'.
Tenor, Brian Rossiter is presented a certificate to recognise his contribution to the choir over 20 years.
And Finally, some group photographs of the choirs.
Tuesday, 30th May, 2023 – SMVC attended the Funeral and a Service of Thanksgiving and to Celebrate the Life of Max Brockman-More, our Director of Music for over 30 years.
Only last year Max retired as our Musical Director. Soon after we had the sad news he was very unwell and on 29th April, 2023 at Prospect Hospice, he passed away. The Service of Thanksgiving, held at St. Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn, really illustrated how Max made a difference to the lives of so many people of all ages. Some of his ex. pupils attended and there were performances from both his choirs - SMVC and Marlborough Youth Choir, as well as a beautiful violin performance by Tam Coates. Two Eulogies sharing fond memories of 'The Male Voice Choir Years' and 'The Teaching Years and Love of Nature', were given by Gordie Smith, Andy Packer and Steve Tapper. There was also a moving tribute written by Max's son, a poem and readings. Typical of Max, the service was planned by him whilst he was ill and we all hope he would have been pleased with everyone's contributions on the day.
Saturday, 13th May, 2023 – Concert at Fairford United Church
The audience was entertained by Swindon Male Voice Choir as well as solos and duets from Katie Silvester,Paul Frankin, Ashlea Ferguson and John Griggs. The concert raised funds for the upkeep of the Fairford United Church. The concert also marked Kirstie Smith's first year as SMVC's Director of Music.
