This month Swindon Male Voice Choir performed in Winchester Cathedral with choirs from Croydon, Hart, Pontnewydd and Romsey Male Voice Choir. The concert attracted an audience of more than 800 and was hosted by David Gower OBE, cricketer and broadcaster. The event raised in excess of £4,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Each choir performed individual items from their repertoire as well as several joint items. The concert then concluded with American Trilogy and, following a standing ovation, an encore of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Swindon Male Voice Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Church, Rodbourne Cheney on 29th November, the Steam Museum on 6th December and in their Annual Carol Concert at Christchurch on 20th December. See their website for tickets and contact details www.swindonmalevoicechoir.co.uk
Share
Ex. SMVC Chairman, Brian Routledge is presented with his 15 years long service award by the current chairman, Chris Done. An appreciation of Brian’s contribution to the choir over the years is shown by the choristers.
John Griggs who has been with the choir for 30 years and sings the solo baritone part of the ’ Whale of a Tale’ song in his sleep, he’s sung it so often! He is also the choir’s stage manager and loves taking charge.
Gareth Jenkins, another incredible 30 years service. Another loyal member of the choir who has organised dozens of choir trips over the years and has more connections in high places than Royalty! Gareth has singing in his blood! – if he was a stick of rock and you broke him in half you would probably read ‘Wales’.
To complete the musical evening Stephanie Walsh was our guest soloist (picture on the left) accompanied by Jessie Thompson, and the choir’s accompanist Kate Locke. Floral presentations were made to the ladies by Graham Stephens of the Highworth and District Lions Club.
And finally, Max Brockman-More presents 10 year long service awards to 4 choristers – 2004 was quite a year for new members!
Another member of the baritone section, Graham Tomlinson – if you want to know the words to a song – ask Graham.
Graham Palmer, our choir photographer and member of the bass section. My advice is keep moving or he’ll snap you!
Paul Turner, our tenor soloist – watch out for his parrot in SMVC concerts, although he does say it’s well trained.
To the seating arrangements – credit to SMVC team who arranged some 600 chairs the day before. The audience awaits the entrance of the choir and band.
Our roving photographer, Simon Grove, took a number of photographs of the wedding but this was one of the best – although the choir contributed the day was about the love between the bride and the groom.
Finally, the choir provided a song celebrate this day, the SMVC traditional song of married couples, ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You’, which both the choir and married couple, Amy and Mark Derham, enjoyed.
The flags are out for ‘Rule Britannia’.
SMVC sit it out while Pegasus Brass Band open the concert.
The flags are out for ‘Rule Britannia’.
A good sized audience attended the venue at St. Paul’s Church at Covingham, Swindon.
Cor Meibion Dyffryn Tywi’s Musical Director, Davinia Harries Davies introduces the choir.
The choirs have a break and a chat at the interval.
After a night of fine singing from both choirs and some joint items, notably, Gwahoddiad sung in Welsh the concert was brought to a conclusion. Chris Done, our vice-chairman makes his first speech and presents the traditional flowers and wine.
The final item was, ‘Rhythm of Life’ – something that expresses the love of song which is appropriate to all present.
A love song dedicated to the happy couple after the wedding ceremony .
The occasion did bring a tear from the bride, Dani, and some of the choir too.
All smiles – SMVC enjoy knowing that their contribution to the wedding was appreciated. 
The photos show what a wonderful day it was, with bride and groom being serenaded with a love song by the choir.
Besides the memory of singing at such a lovely wedding for Edda and Wilbur the choir will all remember the magnificent flower displays at the church which would have been worthy of royalty.
If we had known we could have sung ‘the Rose’ from our repertoire.
On arriving in Sofia the choir thought someone had organised a welcome party – later we found out it was Sofia’s college graduation day! But we did have a ball – as you’ll see in the rest of the photos.
Some of the great sights in Sofia, where the choir spent their first and last night.
The concert starts with a local ladies choir who create a great sound, singing some traditional songs.
First, a visit to a Sliven tourist attraction and no the attraction is not Paul and James trying to mount a moving chair lift – it’s the Blue Rocks National Park in Sliven. Anxious spectators look on but there was a happy ending – they did make it to sing at the next concert.
The rescue dog was not impressed and luckily he was not needed.
A great view from the top.
Another photo opportunity.
And then it’s time to go back.
A night off and someone else is providing the entertainment.
David Griffiths and his wife Audrey are the first up to dance.
And Francis, our accompanist shows she’s got rhythm too. ‘Feel the Rhythm’.
Proud Dad, Gordie dances with his daughter and SMVC female soloist, for the tour, Rachel.
To the next concert which is at the centre of Sliven. SMVC performed at the invitation of the Mayor and the town dignitaries. SMVC choir rehearse. 
A packed concert hall watched the performances.
Dobri Chintolouv Choir, directed by Acedemia Metodiy Grigorov, take to the stage and start the concert with some impressive singing of sacred and folk music of a wonderful Balkan style.
SMVC in action. 
Afterglow party hosted by the Bulgarian Choir saw Max Brockman-More taking the floor.
SMVC responded with some traditional after concert singing – appreciated by the hosts.
Gareth Jenkins, co-organiser of the tour has a smile on his face when he is asked for a dance.
The two Maestros of the two choirs exchange gifts to mark the occasion. Terry Morris, the other co-organiser of the tour looks on.
Departing for the third venue at Hotel Etar, Veliko Tarnovo.
A view of the beautiful, former capital city of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, from the hotel balcony.
This concert was unusual for this tour because the majority of the audience were expats –they also showed their appreciation of our singing of ‘Krai Bosfora’.
Breakfast at the new location.
Fourth concert venue – an amphitheatre – another first for the choir.
A day on the river.
Mary and Joyce wave SMVC adventurers off and back. Like a line from the ‘Song of the Jolly Roger’. Members of the choir will know it well!
Some site-seeing.
Some night dancing.
One of our choir, Matt, joins in – proving he can sing and dance.
Some photos of the locality.
He was heard singing, ‘three wheels on my wagon and I’m still rolling along ………’.
A train journey.
The trip organisers, Gareth and Terry, chill out on their balcony.
The final concert. SMVC perform at the British Ambassador’s residence as part of ‘British Week’, promoting the UK in Bulgaria.
And finally – the flight home.