LATEST NEWS FROM
CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH MALE VOICE CHOIR

 

AUCTION SUCCESS
The auction of Antiques Collectables and Household goods which took place at the beginning of April was a great success. Final figures have yet to be calculated but indications are that monies raised were in excess of £1000. A portion of the proceeds is to be donated to Blythe House Hospice.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Male Voice Choir help to raise £150,000 for Cancer Research UK

The 2009 Festival of Brass and Voices, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London last October, saw our own Chapel-en-le-Frith Male Voice choir, join with 66 other choirs from around the UK performing to a packed house. They were accompanied by the prestigious and award winning brass bands, Grimethorpe Colliery, and the Brighouse and Rastrick. The evenings entertainment included traditional and classical music such as Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus plus last night of the proms favourites, Rule Britannia, and Land of Hope and Glory.

Rebecca Elphick, the Area Volunteer Manager for Cancer Research UK said ; “ The atmosphere was electric and for me the highlight was when the lights dimmed slowly during the performance of Deep Harmony. At this point the audience illuminated their twinkler badges in the darkness, and followed that by observing a minute’s silence during which we all remembered those who have been affected by cancer. Truly a very moving and memorable sight”

Chapel Male Voice choir at the Royal Albert Hall

Chapel-en-le-Frith Male Voice Choir are becoming ever more adventurous in their choice of performances recently, but over the Halloween weekend they reached a pinnacle with a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

This was to support the Concert of Bands and Voices in aid of Cancer Research. Over 4000 people watched the choir and others, accompanied by 2 world famous brass bands ; Grimethorpe Colliery, and Brighouse and Rastrick. They performed a selection of concert favourites, such as Alexander's Ragtime Band, Hallelujah Chorus and the Anvil Chorus, as well as leading the audience in their own version of the Last Night of the Proms, with renditions of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

Choir member Martin Mullis said " It was an absolutely euphoric evening, and we followed it up by entertaining the guests in the hotel bar into the early hours, and then in the open market at Covent Garden on Sunday lunchtime"

 

"The article featured below appeared in the Buxton Advertiser in September of 2009"

A new TV series of THE CHOIR has started this week, when the irrepressible Gareth Malone shows people who would never normally think about singing, how they can enrich their lives by joining a singing group. It just so happens that Chapel-en-le-Frith Male Voice Choir start their new annual programme of rehearsals on Monday 7th September at the Becket Room at the rear of St Thomas A Becket Church in Chapel, and are looking for new members from around the High Peak. They will be there every Monday at 7.30pm.   

In recent months the Choir has taken on 7 new members, ranging in age from their 30’s to their 60’s, and all are thoroughly enjoying what was, for them, a totally new experience. The majority of the new members had not received any prior singing coaching, neither had they sung publicly. Under the guiding baton of their Director of Music, Roger Briscoe, all have found the joy and rewards of singing. New member Simon Leefe said “It can be a difficult moment, entering that room for the first time, but Roger and the choir members are so welcoming.

We analyse our performances in the pub after every rehearsal or concert” Another new member Ben West said that “the Choir has opened up an opportunity to develop singing skills and to socialise with a group of people who all love singing and music”  

The programme of public concerts for 2009 is being planned, but already includes a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October when they perform at the Festival of Brass and Voices for Cancer Research. This year the Choir have already performed at Kendal in June, and at a variety of local venues.

Choir Director Roger, a Graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music,  has travelled extensively in North America and Europe during his career as both an organ recitalist and accompanist, and as a conductor. Highspots in his career include playing the organ at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, at Harvard University and playing the full organ of St Paul’s Cathedral. Roger was the first conductor of the Manchester Girls Choir, to take them to the finals of the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen.

Much has been made recently of the health benefits of singing, and anyone watching the new series of The Choir, will see how inspirational it can be.  It can be calming, stress relieving, good for your posture and it improves self confidence. There is a real buzz that comes from hearing the 4 parts of the Choir harmonising and the resulting feedback from the audience.

Comments from the audiences regularly compliment the Choir on the warmth and joy it creates. The repertoire varies from old English Folk songs, through some familiar show tunes, and on to some challenging, but ultimately extremely rewarding, classical pieces.

There is no need for potential new recruits to worry about the technical aspects of reading music, as new members find that they pick this up from the rehearsals. Once the new piece is heard and sung a few times the written music becomes clearer.

Anyone wanting to know more can contact any of the new members through Martin Mullis on 07891 030755, or any of the established members through Peter Burgess 01663 732438.

Published: 1st September 2009

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