Men Dip In Solent In September

Yes, it’s true – Mendip Male Voice Choir (pictured) will join Solent Male Voice Choir in September to bring you an evening of song at St Faith’s Church, Havant, Friday 11 September at 1900 (doors 1830).

Posters have been placed in the neighbourhood giving ticket details. This is expected to be a sell-out, so get in there early.

Songs from Mendip MVC will be mixed with Solent MVC repertoire for an enchanting evening. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

The following words are adapted from MMVC Archive curated by John Daintith: ‘Forward through the ages, in unbroken line…’ (first line of a hymn by Frederick L. Hosmer). These choristers are part of a long and distinguished tradition of male voice singing which began over 100 years ago in the village of Timsbury, Somerset, nearby where they rehearse today. Three key elements saw the choir’s creation: piano playing, singing at home and mining.

Oliver James, Founder and Conductor (1921-1951) was the mining link. He began work, aged 12, at the Lower Conygre Pit and later the Camerton Pit where he met Joe Box. They were both harmony singers in chapel choirs and in 1918 formed a male voice octet. Through family connections in South Wales, Mr Edwards, a professional male voice choir conductor, came to stay for a while in Timsbury where he advised Oliver and his friend Joe about how to get a male voice choir started. In 1919 Timsbury Male Voice Choir was subsequently born. Original members were miners, chapel or church goers, and had experience in part-singing. They were soon engaged in concerts and festivals. They are currently led by Musical Director Kate Courage and are accompanied by Dominic Irving on piano, both professional musicians. And so, ‘Forward through the ages, in unbroken line’ went the choir now known as Mendip Male Voice Choir.

Solent Male Voice Choir was formed in 1961 by postmen in the sorting office in Portsmouth, so it was originally called Portsmouth Post Office Mail Voice Choir – well no, actually, just my little joke – it was Male Voice Choir.

We now rehearse in Havant at the Pallant Centre on Tuesday nights from 1915 to 2130 – and you’re most welcome to come along and sing or simply listen. You never know – you might like us so much you want to join. More information can be found on www.solentmalevoicechoir.org

Our songs are selected from an impressive list of more than 100, including sacred and secular, some of which are sung in Welsh. Of course, you can’t beat a Welsh male voice choir but, as our Musical Director R Huw Thomas said, an English MVC led by a Welshman (Huw was born and raised in Llanelli, South Wales) has got to be the next best thing. We are also fortunate to have Tom Kennar as our accompanist and deputy conductor – and he is also our President.

We look forward to seeing you at this concert.