The Choir Travels North
Early Thursday morning, 21st September 2017, saw two full coachloads of enthusiastic choristers, with wives and supporters, depart Dursley for a short but busy visit to Yorkshire. With a break on the journey to view the beautiful Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire, Dursley Male Voice Choir arrived in Harrogate for a full programme of singing and sightseeing.
The following day the Choir drove to
Ripon to give a free lunchtime concert
of predominantly religious music in the
choir stalls of the town's spectacular
cathedral.
The building's marvellous acoustics,
coupled with an appreciative, ever-
changing and growing audience, as
visitors ventured in from outside, made
this a memorable experience for all
of the forty-odd choristers.
After a day of sightseeing in Harrogate and other nearby places of interest on Saturday, the Choir gathered at the handsome St Peter’s Church, Harrogate, for a very successful joint concert with the Harrogate Male Voice Choir in aid of St Michael’s Hospice. The concert was followed by an enjoyable social and “afterglow” in the Choir’s hotel.
Sunday saw a tired but cheerful band return to Gloucestershire, stopping for a break at the National Memorial Arboretum, at Alrewas in Staffordshire.
Things we learnt:
1. Yorkshire really is a beautiful county, almost equalling Gloucestershire.
2. Yorkshire is blessed with many impressive churches and cathedrals.
3. The grouping Dursley Male Voice Choir employs is known as “the Yorkshire Formation”.
Things we learnt:
1. Yorkshire really is a beautiful county, almost equalling Gloucestershire.
2. Yorkshire is blessed with many impressive churches and cathedrals.
3. The grouping Dursley Male Voice Choir employs is known as “the Yorkshire Formation”.
Very successful Concert at the Colston Hall in Bristol,
September 2015.
Dursley MVC with seven other choirs were joined by special guest tenor soloist Wynne Evans in support of the Prince's Trust.
The following press release was issued by Katherine Morgan - Events Manager for the Trust.
“The Prince’s Trust was delighted to be selected as the chosen charity for The Festival of Male Voice Choirs with Wynne Evans at The Colston Hall on 12th September. All eight choirs from across the South West and Wynne produced a truly uplifting, spine tingling concert, the feedback has been phenomenal. Over £12,500 was raised to support young disadvantaged people in the South West, turn their lives around and get into training, education and ultimately employment. Thank you to all the choir members, Brian Tocknell and the organising committee, MooD International our sponsors and Moira Stuart OBE our host.”
The following press release was issued by Katherine Morgan - Events Manager for the Trust.
“The Prince’s Trust was delighted to be selected as the chosen charity for The Festival of Male Voice Choirs with Wynne Evans at The Colston Hall on 12th September. All eight choirs from across the South West and Wynne produced a truly uplifting, spine tingling concert, the feedback has been phenomenal. Over £12,500 was raised to support young disadvantaged people in the South West, turn their lives around and get into training, education and ultimately employment. Thank you to all the choir members, Brian Tocknell and the organising committee, MooD International our sponsors and Moira Stuart OBE our host.”
Tour to Ireland - 23rd to 30th September
The choir and accompanying wives and girlfriends left Dursley in two coaches on a sunny Wednesday morning in September. Good time was made as we travelled to Fishguard and then an uneventful and calm ferry crossing to Rosslare before arriving in Waterford.
The next morning the group travelled to Killarney, but with a stop en route in the pretty little town of Kinsale. There we had time to start getting used to the Guinness and Irish blarney.
Friday dawned and after a leisurely stroll around Killarney we headed off to Ballybunion for our first concert at the Tintean Theatre. Whilst we practiced with Mark Llewelyn Evans , who had arrived by plane with a several other choristers, the rest of the party went off to do their own thing. The concert was well received by the 500 strong audience and raised about €16,000. After this we repaired to a local inn for a splendid afterglow, much to the appreciation of the customers there.
Saturday brought another morning at leisure, which was just as well as we didn't get back from the previous night's entertainment until the small hours. We set off for the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Currow after lunch and were again well received by the audience. On this occasion about €15,000 was raised. This concert was arranged to start at 4pm, unusually, the reason being that we then had time to go back to the Castleisland Rugby Club to watch the England v Wales rugby match. Again we benefitted from the generosity of our Irish hosts, who put on a splendid barbecue for those present.
On Sunday morning we sang at Mass in St Marys Church in Listowel to a packed congregation numbering about 1,000. There was standing room only in the church, and the choir together with Mark, received a standing ovation. A collection raised €3,000 which was to go direct to our next port of call, the nearby Aras Mhuire Nursing Home
Then it was back to Christy's Bar in Listowel for more food and drink, finally returning to Killarney in the early evening.
After three exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable days, the choir was glad to be able to rest and relax on the Monday, which ended with a presentation dinner at the hotel. There the choir were very pleased to be the recipients of mementos donated by our Irish hosts, and to be told that the week's tour had generated in the region of €33,000, to be shared between the nursing home and rugby clubs. We were also treated to an impromptu performance by the ladies on tour, which rounded off the evening delightfully.
Finally, we must also give thanks to Mark, who truly gave his all during the trip, not least at Aras Mhuire. To see the faces of the residents light up when he began to sing is a memory that will live long with those of us fortunate enough to have been there.
The next morning the group travelled to Killarney, but with a stop en route in the pretty little town of Kinsale. There we had time to start getting used to the Guinness and Irish blarney.
Friday dawned and after a leisurely stroll around Killarney we headed off to Ballybunion for our first concert at the Tintean Theatre. Whilst we practiced with Mark Llewelyn Evans , who had arrived by plane with a several other choristers, the rest of the party went off to do their own thing. The concert was well received by the 500 strong audience and raised about €16,000. After this we repaired to a local inn for a splendid afterglow, much to the appreciation of the customers there.
Saturday brought another morning at leisure, which was just as well as we didn't get back from the previous night's entertainment until the small hours. We set off for the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Currow after lunch and were again well received by the audience. On this occasion about €15,000 was raised. This concert was arranged to start at 4pm, unusually, the reason being that we then had time to go back to the Castleisland Rugby Club to watch the England v Wales rugby match. Again we benefitted from the generosity of our Irish hosts, who put on a splendid barbecue for those present.
On Sunday morning we sang at Mass in St Marys Church in Listowel to a packed congregation numbering about 1,000. There was standing room only in the church, and the choir together with Mark, received a standing ovation. A collection raised €3,000 which was to go direct to our next port of call, the nearby Aras Mhuire Nursing Home
Then it was back to Christy's Bar in Listowel for more food and drink, finally returning to Killarney in the early evening.
After three exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable days, the choir was glad to be able to rest and relax on the Monday, which ended with a presentation dinner at the hotel. There the choir were very pleased to be the recipients of mementos donated by our Irish hosts, and to be told that the week's tour had generated in the region of €33,000, to be shared between the nursing home and rugby clubs. We were also treated to an impromptu performance by the ladies on tour, which rounded off the evening delightfully.
Finally, we must also give thanks to Mark, who truly gave his all during the trip, not least at Aras Mhuire. To see the faces of the residents light up when he began to sing is a memory that will live long with those of us fortunate enough to have been there.
Images from the tour.
What a great 'gig'!
How many male voice choirs perform at a Pop Festival?
The Fieldview Festival near Malmesbury, 8th August 2015.
The choir were invited once more to perform at the Festival and what a great time we had with a very appreciative audience.
We certainly raised the average age of those present but nevertheless the light programme presented had the young people applauding warmly - with whistles -and showing their appreciation.
How many male voice choirs perform at a Pop Festival?
The Fieldview Festival near Malmesbury, 8th August 2015.
The choir were invited once more to perform at the Festival and what a great time we had with a very appreciative audience.
We certainly raised the average age of those present but nevertheless the light programme presented had the young people applauding warmly - with whistles -and showing their appreciation.
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The audience assembles! In full voice. It's clap-along time!
Annual Concerts, 16th & 17th May 2014.
The choir began with a song that has become a regular ‘Starter’ – ‘As long as I have music’. ‘Dashenka’ with its excellent dynamics and lovely piano part then had its first very convincing public performance. The majestic ‘Pilgrims’ Chorus’ by Wagner was followed by another first public performance of the song ‘The Fields of Athenry’. The poignancy of the performance was not lost on the audience. In contrast, a lighter treatment followed with the story of a poor old horse as told in ‘Widecombe Fair’.
Music by Mozart and Chopin was represented in the second half of the concert and the choir impressed with the performance of the much loved ‘So deep is the night’ – but on this occasion with French lyrics substituted. The emotional performance of ‘Another Day’ – a song dedicated to a children’s hospice - with Tony Holly as soloist, brought a resounding conclusion to the first half of the concert.
Music by Mozart and Chopin was represented in the second half of the concert and the choir impressed with the performance of the much loved ‘So deep is the night’ – but on this occasion with French lyrics substituted. The emotional performance of ‘Another Day’ – a song dedicated to a children’s hospice - with Tony Holly as soloist, brought a resounding conclusion to the first half of the concert.
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The Guests for the occasion, ‘Havoc’, were a highly accomplished quartet of female singers. Their musicality in performing close harmony made clear why they have done so well in competitions both nationally and internationally. They performed a group of songs in each half that displayed well the genre of Barbershop to great effect. Their moving rendition of ‘Cry me a river’ was a delight. ‘Old Town Blues’ and ‘Mr Sandman’ gave a contrast to the programme.
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For the second half of the concert the choir donned its alternate ‘uniform’ of black shirts and coloured bow ties and the intermingling of all the separate section voices was very apparent. A quartet of songs which included ‘When the Saints’, ‘Let it be me’, Hava Nagila and Eli Jenkins’ Prayer displayed a very different choral sound.– with there being a more rounded blend of voices than when the men line up in blocks.
The Encore of ‘Gwahoddiad’ was really special. It was sung as a warm tribute to Haydn Henry – affectionately ‘H’ to many - who sadly died less than a week before this concert that he had planned and brought to fruition.
The Encore of ‘Gwahoddiad’ was really special. It was sung as a warm tribute to Haydn Henry – affectionately ‘H’ to many - who sadly died less than a week before this concert that he had planned and brought to fruition.
Concert for the RNLI at the Victoria Rooms, Bristol, 5th April 2014
with Wynne Evans and Mark Evans.
with Wynne Evans and Mark Evans.
There was significant concern in the week leading up to the concert because Wynne declared himself unwell and that he had a problem that was affecting his voice. Nevertheless, like the true professional he is, he was fit to sing on the day but with some doubts still lingering, so Mark, his brother, was also in attendance. The audience therefore had a double treat when both brothers contributed to the programme and the occasion was very memorable for all who attended.
The association with Wynne and Mark has been a productive and immensely rewarding experience for the choir in recent times and on this occasion the RNLI received a sum in excess of £5,000 from the concert.
Christmas Concerts, December 2013.
With Cotswold Youth Singers
It is some time since both concerts were sold out three weeks
in advance of the performances but that was the experience last year. The songs
sung almost exclusively Christmas items with the exception of two having their
first public performances – Barrie
Cooper’s arrangement for ‘Laudate Dominum’ by Mozart and the ‘The Sloop John
B’.
Guest performers on this occasion were the Cotswold Youth Singers making a return contribution the previous year. They delighted the audience with their choice and performance of music.
Some of the review comments that were made by Katie Jarvis of ‘Cotswold Life’ included the following –
“Never anything short of moving, warming, melodic, fun. In fact, listening to Dursley MVC is not only a joy musically; it also feels like being bathed in community spirit. This year, there were six new songs in their repertoire, including 'The Sloop John B' and some frankly hilarious offerings, such as the seasonal antidote, 'The Twelve Days after Christmas'.”
“Other offerings were deeply meaningful: Stan Unwin’s solo of Rutter’s 'Nativity Carol' was simply beautiful, as was 'Laudate Dominum', Mozart arranged by Cooper – superb.”
“The Cotswold Youth Singers, led by Jane Williams, twice winners of the Heart FM Choir competition encapsulated the purity of children’s voices, with perfect pitch and engaging passion.”
“And when the two choirs joined together for 'O Holy Night', the world stood still and listened.”
Guest performers on this occasion were the Cotswold Youth Singers making a return contribution the previous year. They delighted the audience with their choice and performance of music.
Some of the review comments that were made by Katie Jarvis of ‘Cotswold Life’ included the following –
“Never anything short of moving, warming, melodic, fun. In fact, listening to Dursley MVC is not only a joy musically; it also feels like being bathed in community spirit. This year, there were six new songs in their repertoire, including 'The Sloop John B' and some frankly hilarious offerings, such as the seasonal antidote, 'The Twelve Days after Christmas'.”
“Other offerings were deeply meaningful: Stan Unwin’s solo of Rutter’s 'Nativity Carol' was simply beautiful, as was 'Laudate Dominum', Mozart arranged by Cooper – superb.”
“The Cotswold Youth Singers, led by Jane Williams, twice winners of the Heart FM Choir competition encapsulated the purity of children’s voices, with perfect pitch and engaging passion.”
“And when the two choirs joined together for 'O Holy Night', the world stood still and listened.”
'HOPE FOR TOMORROW' CONCERT - March 2013Click on each photo for an enlarged image.
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Tours & Picture Gallery
 Singing in Germany  Singing in Germany |
Tours AbroadThe first tour abroad took place in 1985 to Lindau in Germany and another visit was made to Germany in 1987 – this time to Limburg an der Lahn and the choir participated in the Harmonie Festival in Lindenholzhausen where it was placed third.
A tour to Holland followed in 1990 to be a part of the 1000 Welsh Voices Tour with concerts given in Den Haag and Apeldoorn. In 1993 a return visit was made to Limburg. Southern Ireland for the Cork Festival in 1996 was the next venture. The first visit to North America in 1998 saw the choir perform in Ontario in Eastern Canada, an earlier proposed visit to a massed choir concert in Atlanta in 1994 disappointingly having not taken place owing to the failure of the organizers to fulfill their commitments. In 2003 the choir returned to Canada to perform a series of concerts in Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Concerts were performed at five venues throughout the Province of Ontario to great acclaim. 2006 saw the choir sing in Austria with performances in the prestigious venues of St Stefan’s Dom in Vienna and the ‘Mozarteum’ of the University in Saltzburg. The most recent – but not the last tour, saw the choir invade southern Ireland in 2010 with spectacular success that saw 17,000 Euros raised for charity in just one concert in Ballybunnion. |
 Kissing the Blarney Stone  Tintean Theatre  Singing at Tintean Theatre  Choristers take jaunting car at Killarney |
Ireland Tour 2010The weather was fine for the departure of two coaches from Dursley on the 1st September and more importantly the ferry crossing from Fishguard to Rosslare was accomplished in very smooth sea conditions. Prior to an overnight stay, the visit started with the evening meal in our Waterford hotel and the transfer was made to Killarney the next morning - taking in a visit to Blarney Castle on the way.
Many made the climb up to the top of the castle but not all ventured the inverted position to kiss ‘The Stone’. On the basis of the conversations on tour it would appear some of the magic did rub off on some!  Colm O'Brien
The next afternoon another 12 choristers arrived having chosen to fly to Ireland. They had barely touched down when the whole party travelled to perform the first concert in Ballybunnion at the Tintean Theatre which is the Arts and Cultural Centre for the National Traditional Theatre of Ireland. The event was organized by Listowel Rugby Club, at a superb modern 600 seat theatre, with the income from the tickets, costing €35 each, supporting local causes. The theatre was virtually filled to capacity as the choir performed a full programme,with Kevin Robbins (Cornet) and pianist, Colm “Stride” O’Brien, as Guest Soloists. Kevin is well known to these columns and the latter – a brilliant exponent of Ragtime and similar music - is well known throughout Ireland and wider afield for his radio and TV work as well as public performances. The tourists were given a superb welcome, a standing ovation at the end of the concert and ‘bottomless’ hospitality and kindness.
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 Ross Castle  On the lake  John B Kean's Theatre Pub  Ring of Kerry  Ring of Kerry  A pint of the Good Stuff |
After a very late night return to Killarney, the following day saw the performance of the second concert in St Mary’s Church, Killarney, this time organised by the town rugby club in support of the South West Counselling Centre. Another packed church and another standing ovation – and a late night of warm friendship and hospitality in a nearby hotel.
Saturday was a ‘free day’ – well morning and afternoon - and many managed to experience the delights of Killarney and the surrounding countryside. Trips were made by Jaunting Car , boats were taken on the lake, castle visited , and the shops were scoured and many walked in Killarney National Parkland adjacent to the town or took one of the Lake Cruises. Some even saw the red deer that lived in the extensive parklands but not many saw the sea eagles that had been introduced the local hills in recent years.
The pace did not falter because the next commitment was in Listowel – the literary capital of Ireland - the next day. The choir contributed to a Mass at the local Catholic Church which was built in 1829. Here the pattern of standing ovations continued. The choir moved on to sing in the grounds of Listowel Castle which dates back to the 12th century. It was built as a fortress by the Anglo Norman Earls of Kerry . Here there followed a presentation to the Sexton family by Dick Spring the former Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland and former rugby International. The family is renowned in the area having for generations given huge support and commitment to the rugby club. The award was accepted by Jonathan, the current Irish international outside half. A Hog Roast then followed organised by the local rugby club. After this the choir party were introduced to the delights of The Shebeen Pub and then John B Keane’s Theatre Pub in the town. John B. was one of Ireland's best loved playwrights, journalists and raconteurs. The pub is now managed by his son, Billy, cousin to Fergal whom we see on TV. The entertainment provided at both places included music with poetry and story-telling at the latter. The occasion was a delight to all and it must be admitted that some stout did pass our lips.
With the major singing commitments over, the next day saw the party tour the Ring of Kerry in the two tour coaches took in the views and visited the Kerry Bog Village. Fortunately the weather was good! Sadly this was the day we saw the ‘fliers’ depart. The penultimate day the party returned for a night in Wexford to meet the ferry the next day - but only after visits to the Jameson Experience in Midleton and the Waterford Glass Factory en route. The abiding memory for all who participated in the tour was the kindness, generosity and welcome afforded us all throughout the visit. Yes, we supported deserving causes, we ate well and many drank the local stout in moderation – but this together with the hospitality and friendship of the hosts is what a choir tour is about. The only question left to answer is “Where next and when?”
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 Arrival & unloading  Motzarteum Wiener Salle  St Stephan's Dom, Vienna |
Austria Tour 20061st - 8th June 2006: The choir made a short tour to Austria, singing in some of the most prestigious venues in Europe, with concerts in Salzburg and Dross, a small town in the centre of Austria's wine growing region about 50 miles from Vienna, culminating in an appearance in St Stephan's Cathedral in the centre of Vienna.
The opening concert (pictured below left) in the Wiener Salle in the Mozarteum in Salzburg set the tone with Music Director Barrie Cooper introducing the choir in German as they launched the programme with Fanfare followed by With a Voice of Singing by Martin Shaw. Naturally, in Mozart's birthplace, the programme included his music, with Brian Parslow, Bass, singing Sarastro's Aria from The Magic Flute which the choir complemented with Isis und Osiris. The concert in Dross was notable for the range of languages sung. In addition to English and German, there were songs in Welsh, Zulu, Hebrew and Latin. Kevin Robbins, the distinguished Cornetist who accompanied the choir throughout the tour gave exciting performances of Mozart's Laudate Dominum and the ever popular Carnival of Venice in an arrangement which had the audiences on the edge of their seats. The choir's hosts in Dross entertained choristers, wives and guests afterwards to a reception where they enjoyed local wines and delicacies before rounding off the evening in the way Male Voice Choirs are renowned, singing relaxed songs from the social repertoire. The tour reached a climax when the choir was invited to take part in the mid-day Mass in St Stephan's Cathedral in the centre of Vienna, which they followed with a short selection of sacred music to entertain the large number of tourists who thronged the Cathedral. A unique feature was the playing of Kevin Robbins, as he was the first instrumentalist to play in such circumstances. The audience, the choir and Kevin reveled in the wonderful acoustic of the magnificent building as the sounds reverberated around the space. Click on the photos below to see the caption and browse the rest. |
 Canada tour party 2003  Capilano Suspension Bridge  Gabriolla Brunch |
Western Canada 2003This two week visit commenced in Vancouver and the tour got off to a very good start along the Sea & Sky Highway and Howe Sound, culminating in a concert at the Millennium Centre in Whistler. Two days later the choir joined the Vancouver Orpheus in concert at the Surrey Arts Centre. The party visited the normal haunts of tourists, including the Capilano Bridge and Grouse Mountain.
The short journey was then made by ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island and a concert was performed in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The next morning a contribution was made to the Church service. In the days following a visit was made to Butchart Gardens and time was spent whale watching. The party then travelled north along the Trans-Canada Highway toward Nanaimo with visits being made en route to Duncan, Chemainus and the stunning Malahat Summit Viewpoints with its panoramic views of the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands and Mount Baker many miles away in Washington State. The next concerts were given in the Port Theatre in Nanaimo and the Community Centre on Gabriola Island. No tour is complete without its final gathering for a grand meal and this was accomplished on the return to Vancouver. Following the singing part of the tour, a significant number of the party stayed on to explore more of the area. Visits were made to Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise, Bannf and Calgary. The majesty of the Rockies was evident to all, the locations visited were spectacular and whilst there were no formal singing commitments, the singers did manage to give a rendition of ‘My Lord what a mornin’’ in a minor snow storm on the Athabasca Glacier. The many Japanese tourists who were also there just could not comprehend what was going on! The return flight was the culmination of a superb tour. Click on the photos below to see the caption and browse the rest. |
 Eastern Canada DMVC Tour – the party  Eastern Canada DMVC Tour – at ease |
Eastern Canada 1998In 1998 the choir accomplished its first major touring undertaking when it crossed the Atlantic to complete a singing tour in Ontario. The incentive to visit the area came from Colin Lawrence, the Musical Director of that time, who had made a similar tour some years before with his previous choir Côr Meibion Cwmbach. To help with the significant costs of the tour, the choir gained superb financial support from Husqvarna Forest & Gardens Ltd., Interpersonal Dynamics Ltd., Renishaw and Dursley Town Council
For the 110-strong party the two-week adventure literally got off to a flying start with an impromptu performance of “The ol’ Ark’s a moverin’” seven miles high, requested by the captain of the Boeing 757 taking them to Toronto." The choir chairman, Brian Tocknell, was reported as saying that it set the tone for a momentous tour. Later it was confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records as a record altitude performance by a choir. First stop was the Church of St John the Evangelist, in Port Hope, where members sang at a choral Eucharist. Musical Director Colin Lawrence, who had previously visited the town with another choir, was then reunited with old friends at nearby St Paul's Church for the first official full concert of the tour. It was reported by one of those present that “the men of Dursley used the superb acoustics of the building to put on a wonderful concert". Another full house greeted the choir at Mackenzie High School, Deep River, some 125 miles north-west of Ottawa, and a great show was followed by a second standing ovation. The congratulations then came thick and fast on the next date, and such was the strength of the choir’s performance at the United Church, New Liskeard, that it even received an ovation at the close of the first half of the concert. Choristers were sad to leave but not, apparently, as sad as the town itself, which broadcast a farewell message on the local radio station hoping they would come back soon. Building up momentum for the penultimate performance of the tour, the choir delivered the closing concert at the prestigious Algoma Festival, at St. Jerome’s Church in Sault Saint Marie. Most of the party were also interested and made the journey to see the huge locks which allowed sea-going tankers to negotiate their way from Lake Superior to Lake Huron, and then out to sea. The long journey back to Toronto was well worth it, as they met Harold Woody, who had organised the Canadian side of the tour for the choir. Harold was one of the members of the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir and it was with them that the choir brought the tour to a close with a final concert in the city at the Anglican Church of St. Clement, Eglinton. It may have been the end of the performing part of the tour, but there was still a chance for a little sightseeing at Niagara Falls, one last impromptu performance in Toronto's Hard Rock Café and a closing Gala Dinner in Toronto. Even when the party had returned to the UK, Dursley Town Council received a letter from a lady who had attended the concert at Deep River, congratulating the choir on its performance and noting the credit that the choir had brought to the town. These tours will be remembered both for the choir’s singing and for the friendliness and hospitality of the Canadian people. |
Other events
 DMVC Wins at Cheltenham  National New Zealand Male Voice Choir & DMVC  The National Male Voice Choir of New Zealand |
Choir Wins Class at Cheltenham Music Festival15 May 2004
The Choir took the Cup in the Male Voice class at the Cheltenham Music Festival and came within a point of the Gold Cup for Best Choir in the Competition. This was the first time the Choir had attended the Festival since winning the Gold Cup in 1981. The Adjudicator, the well known arranger for Male Voice Choirs, Gwynn Arch, had high praise for the Choir, describing it as a First Rate Choir. Dursley Hosts the National New Zealand Male Voice Choir
Carole Taylor, News Editor of "The Dursley Gazette", writes of the Choir's concert:
Tuesday 12th July 2005 provided another demonstration of the far reaching reputation enjoyed by Dursley Male Voice Choir, when it hosted a concert by the National New Zealand Male Voice Choir. The New Zealand Choir was in the midst of its second tour to the UK, the first having occurred in 1999 in response to an invitation from a Welsh Choir to perform in the Millennium concert that year. Mark Stuart Burrows, Managing Director of Melody Music in Cardiff, who dealt with the logistics of their present tour had been looking for an appropriate venue for the choir to perform a concert. He was aware of Dursley's standing in the region and so invited them to mount this concert. Early concerns that a mid-week event might present problems with ticket sales were soon proved unnecessary, with people from far and near clamouring to be there. The event was a total sell-out with a waiting list for any last minute return tickets. |
 Dursley Male Choir at the Albert Hall  At the Albert Hall |
Dursley MVC at the Albert HallDursley’s renowned Male Voice Choir performed on an international stage when they joined 800 others in the 2004 London Welsh Festival of Male Voice Choirs. The Choir’s reputation reaches into the Land of Song with the result that an invitation was received to join 15 Choirs from Wales and around the world at the biennial Festival in The Royal Albert Hall, London.
The event, founded in 1969, provides a showcase every alternate year for invited Male Voice Choirs to sing in front of an audience of almost 5000 in one of the country’s premier venues. This invitation was put to the Choir members who enthusiastically accepted the challenge to learn new songs in Welsh, German, Zulu and Swahili, as well as reviving a few English songs no longer in our current repertoire. All this had to be done while fulfilling the 2004 programme of concerts around the West Country and winning their class at the Cheltenham Music Festival. The Choir is fortunate to have several native Welsh speakers among its members. Retired schoolmaster Ellis Williams found himself back in front of a class of 70 or so “boys”, all rather older than those he taught at Rednock School, teaching pronunciation while Music Director Barrie Cooper concentrated on the notes. Margaret Daniels, the internationally renowned Welsh conductor and adjudicator came to Dursley to help train the Choir, and put them through their paces at the Annual Concert in May. Sunday rehearsals in July and September under Alwyn Humpreys, who at the time had been the Musical Director of the prestigious Morriston Orpheus Choir for 25 years, provided milestones along the way, when all choristers knew that the reputation of the Choir was under scrutiny from the man who would decide if they had reached the required standard. On the big day (October 23) the choristers and their traveling supporters club set off for the capital where they met choirs from Australia, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Wales and USA, as well as Filton and Hereford Police Choirs and our hosts, the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. The concert was a huge success, culminating in a special round of applause for our own Fred Perks, aged 89, who received the accolade of the oldest Chorister in the Festival. The youngest Chorister, who sang with the Australian Welsh Voice Choir based in Melbourne, was 19 years old, showing that Male Voice singing appeals across the age range. |
 DMVC at the Wales Millennium Centre  Singing at Westonbirt – December 2012  Christmas 2012 at the Regent Arcade, Cheltenham  The Dursley Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert 2012 |
Wales Millennium Centre Performance14th April 2007
The Choir performed an informal concert in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff as part of the centre's Spring/Summer series of events in the foyer. This series provides the opportunity for performers from a broad spectrum of music and dance to show off their talents in the public space at the front of the centre and helps to create an ambience for tourists and visitors. Most performers are based in or are associated with Wales, but many come from farther afield. Dursley was the only English Male Voice Choir to be invited to take part in this season's series and the choristers were delighted to show their talents in such an illustrious forum. The nature of the venue and occasion meant that the Choir launched into its programme with a rousing arrangement of "When the Saints Go Marching In" to a small group of listeners, but by the time they reached the end of the song a throng of tourists and other visitors had filled the foyer and the overlooking balconies. The programme continued with a blend of secular and sacred songs culminating in Gwahoddiad, sung in Welsh as was only fitting for such a venue. The rapturous applause and calls for an encore were rewarded with a repeat of the final verse ending in three great "Amens". Tsunami Concert"Choir's Charity Triumph (Review in The Gazette.)
EVERY cloud has a silver lining, they say, and there is no doubt that the old adage proved true on Saturday (5th February 2005) Dursley Male Voice Choir's concert in aid of the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal was an event everyone wished was not necessary. But given the fact that the world's worst natural disaster had occurred and relief funds were needed, the choir and its loyal fans responded instantly. All 400 tickets for the charity concert in Dursley's Lister Hall were sold almost immediately and organisations throughout the area offered generous raffle prizes. The evening raised £6,560 with every penny going to the appeal. Everyone gave their services free and all set-up costs were met by the choir. Winner of the main raffle prize - a holiday in Spain, donated by Rover European Travel - was Choir member Roy Nicholas. The other 14 prizes included a week in a Cornish holiday cottage, a £150 voucher for decorating services and a new bathroom suite up to the value of £250. Because the concert was arranged at short notice, it comprised many of the Dursley Male Voice Choir's old favourites. After opening with the cheerful Alexander's Rag Time Band, there was the gentle Colin Lawrence arrangement of If I only Had Time, Memory from the Lloyd Weber musical Cats and the toe-tapping Hava Nagila. Then there was the choir's popular Andy Williams Medley, arranged by musical director Barrie Cooper, and the poignant and very appropriate Let there be Peace on Earth. Soloist was the talented Cornetist Kevin Robbins, who played an interesting selection including the theme from the television series Groundforce. In the second half we were treated to When the Saints, followed by Cavatina, an Allan Simmons medley called Kings of Swing and a selection from Les Miserables. There was much applause for the return of Kevin Robbins who showed his virtuosity with The Harmonious Blacksmith and Carnival of Venice. There was a rare chance to hear Barrie Cooper's skills as a pianist before the grand draw and the finale - Puccini's glorious Nessun Dorma. Of course an encore was demanded and the choir came up trumps, inviting any former choir members and members of other male voice choirs who were in the audience to join them in ‘When I survey the Wondrous Cross’. This concert was yet another triumph for Dursley's incredible choir. It will remain a memorable one - for more reasons than one." |
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