Terry Cater thanked the choir for giving him the priviledge of being chairman for the past three years, and for their support, help and encouragement.  He thanked his wife Janet for the many hours she has also put into choir activities.

 

He mentioned the many great concerts we have given over the past three years.  Apart fron the annual concerts in March his particular favourites were the return vist of Cowbridge choir and the 40th anniversary concert with the Mastersingers.  Our concerts are regularly sold out and this is not by accident, a great deal of work and planning goes into them.  Above all he thanked Melvyn Dyson for his organisation and attention to detail.  He has been the force behind the choir as secretary for the past 25 years.  However, Melvyn needs support from other choir members in taking responsibility for various aspects such as arranging transportation of the piano, moving the staging and setting up the concerts.

 

To mark Melvyn's long service Terry presented him with an engraved crystal clock as a small token of our appreciation.

 

Terry was delighted with the increased presence of young people in our concerts.  The use of young soloists and choirs enhances our concerts and gives them a valuable platform on which to display their talents and gain experience.  He was particuarly pleased with the progress of the Christmas concert and the close relationship we've developed with the Penistone Ladies Choir.  The concerts are booked a month in advance and raise increasing amounts for charity though the ticket price has remained the same.

 

Choir tours have proved popular and the choir's numbers have risen from 36 to 50.  We are a friendly choir with a good social life and this is due largely to the hard work of the social committee and to Mac Moffat in building up thr friends of the choir.

 

It has been said many times, but bears repeating, that the success of the choir is mainly down to having the best MD around.  Sue's conscienciousness, selfless devotion, endless patience and good humour all help make Monday evenings so enjoyable. We are also very fortunate to have such an accomplished accompanist in Melanie.

 

Terry is stepping back, it's time for someone else to take the choir forward with new enthusiasm and ideas.  He'll help out when requested but not get in the way.  One of the best ways to support the new chairman and commitee, and particularly Sue and Melanie, is to turn up at rehearsals so that we don't have to repeat material over and again.  He reminded us that regular attendance is expected and is in the choir's rules and constitution.

 

"We are a good choir, but if we are to remain one, or preferably take a step up, then we must all pull together and give 100%.  The future of MG MVC is in our hands - and I believe that it looks very promising."

 

Melvyn thanked Terry for his work and commitment over the past three years.  Terry has put in a tremendous amount of work.  Much has been seen in the trips we have enjoyed and the themed social evenings, but there has also been a huge amount behind the scenes that maybe only Melvyn and Sue know about.  Terry has been a very hands-on chairman and has made Melvyn's job much easier.

 

Melvyn asked Terry to pass on the special thanks of the choir to Janet for all her efforts on our behalf.

 

The choir has performed at 17 engagments since last September.

 

Melvyn thanked the committee for their attendance at meetings.

 

He thanked Sue for her efforts over the year and particularly for arranging deputies on the few occasions she couldn't attend practices and temporary accompanists.

 

Melvyn welcomed Melanie back.  We're all glad to see her back full time. 

 

The choir's finances are in very good shape.  We have a healthy surplus and there is no need to raise the subscription level beyond last year's.

 

Steve Dixon had reviewed the accounts and commented on their clarity and thoroughness.  He suggested that we need to find ways of using the surplus toward our charitable aims.

 

Sue thanked all the choir members who have committed themselves to coming to rehearsals, put attending concerts above other elements and learned the music off by heart.  She applauded their efforts and the choir is all the richer for their membership.

 

Occaisonally she has been disappointed at the balance of the choir at concerts, but most of the time she's very happy with our performances.  Our sense of fun and friendship shines through and she hopes we will remain committed to this lovely choir.

 

She thanked many people for their tremendous support and dedication to the advancement of the choir.  Especially Melvyn for all his work as secretary and Terry and Janet for their exceptional ability to organise wonderful experiences for us in tours and socials "as well as all the chairman stuff".  Tough Terry now wants to take a back seat, his influence will be enduring.

 

She thanked John and Margaret Gouldsbrough for their friendship, support and piano accompaniment.  It's great to see John again out of hospital.

 

Sue thanked all the members and wives who contributed their time and culinary skills to such marvellous social evenings.

 

"It's great to have Melanie back in the fold.  I think we make a good team".

 

Sue would like more contributions from a greater number of choir members for solos or other varied items in our concerts.  Some of the concerts are ideal opportunities to "have a go".  She is happy that we are continuing to encourage younger musicians to play at our concerts.  The standard is high and it can only do us and them a lot of good.

 

"We can be a good choir who only give a small number of big concerts a year learning only a few typical male voice choir items.  Or we can be a good choir who spread fun and enjoyment of a wide variety of music to the community - it's out charity work!  I prefer the latter, but to do this we need your commitment to rehearsals, concerts and learning the music off by heart so that we can constantly improve and progress.  Onwards and upwards.  Thank you."

 

All the sub-committees have met as required through the year.  The committee will review the number of sub-committees and assess whether any are no longer needed.

 

The members voted to accept the motion to keep subscriptions at last year's level.

 

Election of Officers