Our links with Romsey MVC are very strong, after appearing in several concerts together over the last few years. The same can be said for the JTP Trust who will, once again, be singing with us at our annual carol concert. Our friendship with both choirs generated a relaxed atmosphere during the whole concert. There were a selection of individual and joint items and the following photographs hopefully capture the occasion.

Mike Porter made his first appearance on stage, singing in the baritone section of the choir. During the concert he was presented with SMVC cuff-links to mark the occasion.

This was a very unusual concert because all the entertainment was provided by SMVC and it's very talented music staff.

SMVC sang a variety of songs but further, excellent musical entertainment was provided by Vicky Burton (our accompanist) who played flute solos, as well as piano duets with our musical director, Max Brockman-More. Paul Franklin(top tenor) and Simon Grove(baritone) sang some very entertaining solos and duets.

The presentation of the Wessex Bowl  was made to Brian Rossiter, of the tenor 2 section. Each year The trophy is awarded to the chorister with the best attendence for the previous season, which includes attendance of rehearsals and all singing commitments.

Concerts in  Wexford, Ennis and Carrick raised a total of just under £5,000 for 3 charities. A superb tour to celebrate our Centenary year and being able to help the charities made it even more worthwhile.

The following photographs capture some moments and memories of the tour. 

Ireland is in sight. View from the Pembroke, Wales to Rosslare Ferry.

We arrive at our hotel in Wexford.

Our concert is advertised on a local billboard.

The concert starts with the Wexford Male Voice Choir.

The Wexford Disabled-able choir sing with enthusiasm, energy and joy which gets the audience participating in their songs.

Soloist, Tony Carty sings some favourites.

SMVC and Wexford Male Voice Choirs sing some Joint items as well as some on their own.

Chairman, John Mills and our hosts swap gifts to mark the link formed between the two choirs, which were originally formed several years ago.

Our second stop was at Ennis - the hotel was top class.

Touring is not all about the singing and socialising - we visited a the beautiful coast of the Cliffs of Moher.

Yes, these people are part of the touring group. Tristan and Simon are obviously practising some choreography for our next concert.

Our second concert was at a lovely church in Ennis. Once again we had a great welcome. The photos show the setting and singing at the concert.

And our last port of call was Waterford. We didn't do any glassblowing (although we did perform an inpromptu 'Wise Men Say' in the Waterford Crystal showroom), then we had another wonderful last concert in Saint Nicholas' Church at nearby Carrick-on-Suir.

Sunday, 21st July, 2019.

100th Anniversary, Service of Celebration at Christchurch, Old Town, Swindon.

Rev. Simon Stevenette opens the service.

Soloist, Rachel Smith, sings, 'Be Still for the Presence of the Lord' as the first piece of music. 

Musical Director, Max Brockman More introduces the choir and says a few words. 

Our choir sing some songs with the congregation and a selection of songs from the SMVC past and present repertoire.

A commemoration candle is lit by Mary Bowerman - a founder of Friends of SMVC in 1982 and widow of the late Derek Bowerman.

Mary was assisted by the youngest member of the choir, Jack Bailey.

Also present on the day was 100 year old gentleman, Norman Collins, whose father sang in the choir.

Retired members of the choir and others, associated with SMVC were invited to sing, 'Morte Christe', with the current choir. 

Our concert organiser and Top Tenor, Gordie Smith, recieved a cerificate in recognition of an amazing 40 years with SMVC. 

Unbelievably, a second member of the choir, Len Curtis, in the Baritone section has also been singing with the choir for 40 years! It just proves the point, singing is good for your health.

Choir President, Shirley Ludford gives her congratulations to Gordie and Len for their long sevice to the choir.

Cakes were made to celebrate the occasion to eat with a cream tea later!

Rev. Geoffrey Gleed, lead the congregation in prayers and then entertained us with some humorous.stories.

Chairman, John Mills, gives the congregation a few facts about the history of the choir.

Richard Giles, member of the choir for 27 years, reads a humorous monologue called, 'Chorister's Confession'.

James Deacon, the owner of Deacon's Jewellery, Old Town, Swindon, donates to the choir a valuable Gold Half Hunter Watch to be auctioned later this year, to support the choir's anniversary events.

Finally, we all sing in celebration of 100 years of SMVC before we have a delicious cream tea. The photos which follow show how the celebrations continued that afternoon.

The cream tea with guests, family and choir members:

Saturday 6th July, 2019. Concert at All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent to raise funds for the church roof.

Saturday 6th July, 2019. Concert at All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent

A small but beautiful church.

Deputy Musical Director, Kate Lock, conducts this evening, with Victoria Burton accompanying at the piano.

We were pleased that Matilda Wale could be our guest soloist for the concert.

Back by popular request,  'The Song of the Jolly Roger', with all the props and flag waving.

John Wray, who sings in the baritone section, received his 10 year service award from SMVC Chairman, John Mills. In typical 'John' humour, he was heard to say, 'it seems longer than 10 years'.

Blue blazers off for the second half - it wasn't quite as warm as record temperatures in France the week before this concert, but warm enough!

Kate Lock closes the concert and  Matilda Wale joins the choir for the last item, 'Cwm Rhondda'.

Saturday, 15th June, 2019 - SMVC was invited to sing with the 'Sing 4/4' Community Choir, Cricklade. The event was part of their tenth anniversary celebrations.

During this month SMVC had a photoshoot at the Steam Museum, Swindon. 'Choir of 2019'.

Saturday 15th June, 2019. Concert with the'Sing 4/4' Community Choir

at St. Sampson's Church, Cricklade

'Sing 4/4' Community Choir start the concert.

SMVC open with a song probably sung by every SMVC choir over the last century, 'Cwm Rhondda'. 

This concert not only marked the 10th and 100th Anniversaries of the choirs but also two long service awards. First up was Ken Garrett who sings in the baritone section, receiving his 10 year service award from SMVC Chairman, John Mills.

Next up - our Chairman, John Mills, a second tenor is presented his 10 years service award by Max Brockman-More.

The concert continues with a brief word, if that's possible, from Max Brockman-More.

The audience was also treated to some top class solos and duets by Matilda Wale(Soprano) and Robert Feistead (Tenor) during the evening.

Musical Director of 'Sing 4/4' Community Choir, Mary New, gives words of thanks to all those who contributed to a very enjoyable, celebratory evening. Mary has close links with SMVC as she was their accompanist for many years.

The SMVC choir

The SMVC Choir showing off their most recent trophy - Best Male Voice Choir, won at this year's Mid- Somerset Festival, Bath.

And in no particular order or some people may get upset! 

The Top Tenors

The Second Tenors.

The Baritones.

The Basses

Saturday, 6th April, 2019 - Parkinson’s UK Concert held at Bath Road Methodist Church, supporting the local branch of Parkinson’s UK. SMVC shared the stage with our friends, ‘A Splash of Red’, led by Claire Lee. This event raised over £1000.

Saturday, 13th April, 2019  - SMVC sang as part of the 'Brighter Futures' Easter Spring Fayre event held at Gorse Hill Community Centre. 'Brighter Futures' is the charity for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Thursday, 25th April,  2019 - SMVC social - Quiz Night at Wroughton Workmens Club.

Saturday 6th April, 2019 -Parkinson's UK Concert

'Splash of Red' start the concert.

'Splash of Red'show enthusiasm and energy in their choreography and their faces. The question is - can SMVC match it!

A promising start by SMVC following on from our competition win at Bath last month. 

Max and the choir sense the audience want more, in the way of choreography. Well we always aim to entertain and the photos that follow will surely go down in our centenary history! It's pity our moves were not recorded on video.

Some practice......

.......more practice ......

......makes perfect.

Now if we could sing at the same time we could make it onto ITV's 'Britain's Got Talent' next year.

There were two another firsts that evening.

Baritone, Rob Hardy, made his first appearance on stage.

And secondly, although Rob's excellent singing could have merited a silver bowl that evening, it was used because the choir cuff-links, normally given on such occasions, had been temporarily mislaid. A great cheer from the choir accompanied the presentation.

The trophy was actually the one we had received for winning the Best Male Voice Choir at the Mid-Somerset Festival in March.

Finally the two choirs join to a special rendition of 'The Rose'.

At the 'Brighter Futures' fayre there were a variety of things on offer to it's customers - Craft stalls, tombola, Easter goodies, face painting and glitter tattoos. Hot and cold beverages, a variety of cakes and so much more............

Including performances from the Swindon Male Voice Choir and The Guys and Dolls Choir. 

Thanks to Jenny and George for putting on this event for SMVC.

Jenny is not in this photo but these are some of her workers busily preparing the raffle. A team effort. 

Looks like the quizzers are discussing tactics here!

And the other teams are too!

It's only a bit of fun really!

Looks like there's been a call for a ruling here!

This photo sums up the evening. Len and Bob, veterans of the choir, are enjoying the occasion, and the beer.

Look at the right index finger in the bottom left corner of this photo - 'I'll have another of these please', but in the left hand he's got half a pint left. The Guinness must be good in Wroughton!

And finally, it's not about the taking part - it's the winning that counts, or something like that.

On Saturday, 16th March S.M.V.C competed in the Mid-Somerset Festival held at St. Michael's Church, Bath.

Winning the Best Male Voice Choir, singing the two items, 'It Don't Mean a Thing' and 'Bui Doi'.

Our performance scored a 'distinction' from the adjudicator.

In the 'Sacred Music' section we sang, 'My Lord what a Mornin'' and 'Wade in the Water'.

It was a great day out and a wonderful way to start our Centenary Celebrations.

Hopefully the choristers of 1919 and those that followed them over the years would of been proud of our singing. Perhaps they were with us in spirit on that Saturday. You never know!

Our Musical Director, Max Brockman-More, lifts the trophy to the applause of the choir. All the rehearsals have been worth it after all! Our Deputy M.D., Kate Lock also deserves a mention here for her superb accompaniment to our performances.

Stage manager, John Griggs, who has been a member of the choir for 35 years. He was as proud as anyone that we managed to produce a winning, team performance. Below are some other photos taken at the event which will bring back some memories of the event.