Special concert for choir’s 50th birthday
TO MARK its 50th year, an all-male Loughborough choir is to take to the stage for a special concert in town.
And it is appealing for past members to get in touch to join the group in singing a classic number.
On Saturday, October 7, Loughborough Male Voice Choir’s Gala Concert will be taking place at Loughborough Grammar School’s Hodson Hall.
The group, who returned from a successful tour in Belgium in May, will be joined by the Loughborough Concert Band, under the direction of David Coble.
The musicians have put together a varied programme that includes solo performances by soprano Caroline Sharpe and the choir’s own lyric tenor, Lyndon Gardner.
It is particularly fitting that, in the choir’s Jubilee year, Lyndon has chosen to sing compositions by the founder of the group, the late George Towers.
Loughborough Male Voice Choir will be conducted by their musical director Christopher Hill.
Chris accepted the role in 2006 and is only the sixth person to hold the position since the choir was formed back in 1967.
The concert, which is to start at 7.30pm, will also see a performance by the Burton Consort, a group of talented young singers from the L.E.S. Music School, directed by David Morris.
Loughborough Male Voice Choir is active in supporting several charities and the Gala Concert will see part of the proceeds go to Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
To augment the historical significance of the occasion, the choir is now inviting as many past members as possible to the Gala Concert to join the group in singing the fine, old male voice standard, Gwahoddiad.
As well as looking to the past, the choir, which has made friends in Belgium and forged links with other male voice choirs and ladies choirs in the UK this year, is looking to attract new singers.
The group rehearse on Thursday evenings, from 7.15pm until 9.15pm, at Trinity Methodist Church, Royland Road.
Members are always happy to welcome those who would like to give singing a try.
There are no auditions and it is not necessary to be able to read music or have previous experience of singing in a choir.
Over the last few years, the choir has offered a free ‘Learn to Sing in a Choir’ course. The next course begins on Thursday, January 11, 2018, and will run every Thursday for six weeks.
Further information about the choir can be found at: www. loughboroughmvc. co.uk. Past members of the choir can also find contact details on the website.