Men raise their voices for Queen
OVER the weekend of the Platinum Jubilee, the Valley’s very own choir were again involved in three appearances throughout Saturday, June 4 to help celebrate.
For the Rossendale
Male Voice Choir (MVC), this also marks the start of the long build-up to their own very special centenary year, which will take place in 2024.
On Saturday morning, the choir were joined at the new central area of Rawtenstall by the Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Anne Cheetham OBE JP and Mayoress Ms Dorothy Jones, who welcomed the crowds and stayed to hear a selection of patriotic songs and choral pieces, after a short address from Rossendale MVC chairman Michael Black.
The crowds were provided with booklets of patriotic songs and flags to wave, and the event was sponsored by a grant from Rossendale council. From there, the choir moved to Rawtenstall railway station for more communal singing and performances
of some choir favourites to entertain the many people, who were having fun at the EastLancashire Railway’s 1940s-themed weekend (see right).
On Saturday evening, the choir took part in a community concert to celebrate the Jubilee at St James Parish Church, Haslingden. Also performing at this concert were Stacksteads Brass Band, a children’s choir from the schools of St James’ and St John’s Haslingden, talented blues singer Courtney Francis
and the Chameleon Quartet, an entertaining and multi-skilled woodwind ensemble.
It was only a few weeks ago that Rossendale Male Voice Choir were arriving home from Cornwall, where they had performed in four concerts and a number of street performances at the world’s biggest choral festival for male voices, the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival.
Two weeks ago, the choir were onstage again at Manchester’s
magnificent Bridgewater Hall. On stage with the choir were the 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band and the worldfamous Black Dyke Band. The concert raised more than £20,000 for the East Lancashire Hospice, thanks to very generous sponsorship of the event from the Street family.
Already looking towards their 100-year celebration, the Rossendale Male Voice Choir is looking to raise local awareness and attract new singers to their ranks. Ever since the early days of the choir, it has been a tradition that members need not necessarily read music. This continues to be the case today.
Michael BanhamGuerrero, the choir’s media manager, says this is a symbol of the choir’s inclusivity.
He said: “New members are always welcome and soon begin to feel at home among those who have been there some time. Led by an inspirational musical director, Matthew Thomas, the choir is quickly building a reputation for not being your typical male voice choir.
‘‘The choir’s repertoire, although mainly limited to what is available for male voices, is varied and contains both modern and traditional pieces, which are delivered with joie-de-vivre seldom seen in male voice choir communities.”
The choir also works in conjunction with the Rossendale Ladies Choir to encourage singing for all.