2012 is not only the year of the London Olympics, but it is in our opinion more significant, that one hundred and ten years has passed since Barry Male Voice Choir sang it’s first concert. In those early days the choir was known as ‘Barry Dock Glee Party’, but it wasn’t long until the choir expanded and became known as Barry Male Voice Choir.
In celebration of this landmark year the choir will be holding some special concerts and events throughout the year. Check back soon to findout more.
Barry Male Voice Choir’s 109th Annual Concert will take place on Friday 7th October 2011.
This gala concert will be held at St Helen`s Roman Catholic Church, Court Road, Barry at 7pm.
Tickets £6 are available from the Secretary (tel 01446 746387), from choristers or at the door.
The choir is proud to welcome Ffion Perrett as soprano soloist. Ffion was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg Barry and is now
following the Vocal and Opera course at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music.
Ffion is an accomplished soloist and recenly performed at the very successful Music in the Park at Victoria Park Barry. Ffion has also
performed with the Pendyrus Male Voice Choir,the Llanelli Chamber Orchestra and has successfully competed at Urdd National
Eisteddfods.
This year’s summer concert at St. Mary’s Church, Barry on Friday 23rd June was another well received event. A near full house saw the choir perform some fond favourites such as ‘Yfory’ and ‘Speed Your Journey’ and also debuting some new material including ‘What a Wonderful World’ and ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’.
The choir were supported by Barry Brass Band, who were equally entertaining with their innovative mixture of music ranging from jazz numbers to modern pop pieces. A raffle and collection was held with the proceeds going to Holme Tower Hospice in Penarth.
Barry Male Voice Choir, with Musical Director Dot Connell and Accompanist Emma Arscott
Barry Male Voice Choir president and former conductor Douglas Baxter was invited to rehearsal on Thursday 16th June 2011 to make a presentation to Gordon Mudford. Gordon became a member of the choir on the 15th June 1961. Douglas, on behalf of the choir, thanked Gordon for his loyalty and commitment over the years and presented him with a framed picture of the current members of the choir.
Douglas presenting Gordon with a framed photo to mark 50 years service with Barry Male Voice Choir
Barry Male Voice Choir have now been ‘online’ for 2 years. During that time the site has developed and lots of content has been added. At the moment the site is being redeveloped to make it easier to update and allow for further expansion. Please bear with us whilst this work is undertaken. Please visit again soon.
Barry Male Voice Choir members have returned enthusiastically to rehearsals following their Christmas break. Ahead lies another busy year in which the choir will continue to support charities and develop further community links. March 1st will see the choir returning to Wetherspoon`s Sir Samuel Romilly for another festive St David`s celebration, followed later in March by a joint concert with the boys of Barry Comprehensive School. A further highlight will be the choir participation in a massed choir concert at St David`s Hall Cardiff in November in aid of The British Heart Foundation.
New members Mike Lewis, Peter Walden and Mike Hartwell with Musical Director Dorothy Connell
During 2010 the choristers were delighted to welcome three new members to their ranks. The picture shows director of music Mrs. Dorothy Connell pictured with new members, from left to right: John Lewis, Peter Walden and Mike Hartwell.
Following his debut at the Christmas Carol Concert Peter Walden commented “I didn`t believe that singing in a choir could be so enjoyable. I`ve been made very welcome”.
Mike Hartwell added “It`s something I wished I`d done long ago. It`s the perfect way to spend leisure time”. John Lewis who has rejoined the choir was delighted to be back.
” I`ve missed the buzz” he said.
Gentlemen, new members are always welcome at this expanding choir. All you need is an interest in singing. There is no demanding voice test. Now is the perfect time to pay us a visit. Why not come along to rehearsal at the newly re-built Holy Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Street, Barry on Mondays or Thursdays at 7.30 pm or find out more by telephoning 01446 402398
We’re delighted to announce that Barry Comprehensive and Barry Male Voice Choir are joining forces to promote singing across the community. The first public event as a result of the partnership will be on Thursday the 31st March next year when there will be a joint concert in the Boys school. Musical Director (MD) Dot, and committee members Gareth Jones and Richard King met recently with headteacher David Swallow and head of music Annabel Wilson to talk about the project following an approach from Gareth who has done teaching supply work in the school. Gareth, Richard and Dot were unanimous in praising the enthusiasm and willingness of the school to engage with the wider community in an event which will hopefully benefit all involved. The aim of the scheme is to encourage boys to sing, and to secure the future of male voice singing by crossing the generation gap. As MD Dot says – “as a tradition the male voice choir needs to adapt and survive, and this will open us up to new ways of working. On the other hand, the boys who join us in this concert will see the camaraderie in our choir and the dedication involved in grappling with difficult music in four part harmony. We’re all going to thoroughly enjoy this venture – I for one can’t wait!.” Rehearsals will begin in 2011 after a busy end to the current year for both the school, with their Christmas production of West Side Story, and for the choir which has several engagements lined up.
Full marks to Barry Comprehensive!
Barry Male Voice Choir wish to congratulate Courtenay Hamilton in becoming ‘Miss Wales’. Courtenay, who at the time was already crowned Miss Vale of Glamorgan, performed as a guest soloist at their concert on The Glanfa Stage, at the Millennium Centre in April. Courtenay will now go on to compete in the Miss World competition which is taking place at the end of October in China.
Barry Male Voice Choir wish ‘Miss Wales’ luck in the forthcoming ‘Miss World’ competition. She is pictured here with the choir after performing as a guest soloist at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
In June, Barry Male Voice Choir had the pleasure of performing at the Memorial Hall Theatre (The Memo) in Barry with legendary West End star Peter Karrie.
Peter Karrie is most famous for playing the lead role of the Phantom in the musical Phantom of the Opera worldwide. Once again, the choir showed their versatility by performing music ranging from traditional Welsh to modern musicals.
At a recent AGM of the Choir, a presentation was made by the Chairman Don Surridge, on behalf of the Choir to Arthur Griffith a long-standing and faithful member of Barry Male Voice Choir since 1972. This was to recognise that over the past 5 years Arthur had achieved a 100% record of attendance for concerts and a 99% record of attendance for rehearsals. This meant that over the last 5 year period, he had attended 105 concert engagements and had only missed 4 out of 448 rehearsals, quite an achievement for a chorister approaching the age of 80!
Choir Chairman Don Surridge presents Arthur with a framed picture of the choir in recognition of his 100% Record of attendance for concerts over the last 5 years.
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