Saturday 9th November, we were invited once again to sing at St. John’s in Dodworth for their annual Concert of Remembrance. We had a number of soloists from within our choir, as well as Richard who read some fitting poetry, and Imogen who (on her 16th birthday) played both a very flamboyant Bolero, and a very beautiful Schindler’s List. Our string quartet played a beautiful Flander’s Field for us, before Flynn led us into a 2 minutes silence with the Last Post. What a poignant and fitting evening of remembrance.
We’re all absolutely buzzing from a wonderful afternoon at the Paramount in Penistone where we shared the stage with local acts ‘The Cardi Boys’, including our very own top tenor Will B, and Ralph Shaw – King of the Ukelele. All 3 acts performed brilliant variety show acts, and we ended the afternoon with a fab joint singalong medley – Kings of Swing! ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ finished the afternoon with the audience on their feet for a standing ovation! Huge thanks to everyone who came, who sang, who acted or who supported! Proceeds are split between causes, the Cardi Boys have chosen BIADS as their local charity. Big thank you to the amazing James Barnett who stepped in as pianist this afternoon, and to our very own baritone / guitarist Michael Bond for joining in with the singalong! We loved Ralph’s harmonica playing, which completed the band. What a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon 🎶🎶❤️🎹
MGMVC have just come back from the most amazing adventures in Coventry. Thursday 5th Sept we performed twice, once inside Coventry Cathedral and once in the ruins. Highlights included Albert Hay Malotte’s Lord’s Prayer (with soloist top tenor Chris), Grieg’s Ave Maria Stella, Bring Him Home (soloist 2nd tenor Ray) and some fabulous traditional hymns. More poignant singing by the alter of the ruins, including solos by top tenor Will B as part of our own MDs arrangement of ‘War Horse’, and Bogdan Pyasta’s last performance with us as he floated the Ukranian opening to Harbour through the space.
Thursday evening brought a choir social night and a chance to relax together in the hotel (Hilton Doubletree), some of us even managed a dip in the hotel and spa.
Friday brought about an organised trip to Warwick Castle, with the most gorgeous weather, and an evening party with guests from Rugby, Coventry and Stoneleigh Male Voice Choirs. Much talent from all the groups! Highlight of the evening – definitely the song about the oyster… from our very own Ralph Shaw, the singalong a capella numbers from Stan and the Rugby lads, and some Yorkshire dialect poetry from our resident poet laureate Christine.
Our last full day brought an early morning rehearsal. We’ve been so blessed to have the wonderful Donald Stephenson join us a guest bass, and the wonderful 2nd tenor Chris down from the Lake District. After the basses had stayed behind, for extra ‘Love Could I Only Tell Thee’ practice there was a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon… in the rain! But what a fabulous place. Our musical team, undeterred by the rain even managed to eat outside the RSC!
After an early dinner (we’ve all eaten so so much this weekend), we went to our concert venue. A 3 way concert with Rugby and Coventry Male Voice Choirs. What a sound! 6 joint items from the 3 groups – with both music teams working together – MDs Christine and Rachel, and pianists Philip, Ian and Tim. The evening finished with a, very long and very loud, standing ovation.
On return to the hotel the singing just didn’t stop – there were solos, pieces, singalongs… you name it, it was sung! And sung late into the night… and on into the early hours.
We are so so thankful to our trip organisers Ray Hutchinson and Steve Dixon for the incredible job they did. Every weekend away with our group is always special, and this one was no exception.
Sunday morning brought thank yous to our organisers, to Kev our epic coach driver, and a birthday cake and card for 2nd tenor Melvyn. Roll on MGMVC on tour 2025. We can’t wait!
Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir at Coventry Cathedral Ruins
What a fabulous evening we had in Silkstone on Sat 13th July. We enjoyed a fantastic variety of songs and pieces performed by not just us, but our guests the V&A Choral Ensemble and our visiting soloist Bodgan Pyasta. A packed church, and a full program. Huge thanks to the organisers, the refreshments team, our choir soloists and both our very talented accompanists, Philip Sutcliffe and Elliott Walker. It was a fantastic treat to sing both Cwm Rhonda and Albert Hay Malotte’s Lord’s Prayer with the backing of the very powerful 3 manual Viscount organ. Hugely thankful to Elliott for joining us in those. The emotional joint item, Harbour, left both the choirs and audience in tears – such a powerful piece with a 1st verse performed in a capella Ukranian by Bogdan. We’re looking forward to our return visit, joining the V&A in Derbyshire on June 14th next year ❤️🎶
We’ve just had the most fabulous day in Whitby – we sang our hearts out, in both the Male Voice and the Sacred categories. Super comments from the adjudicator (Marilynne Davies – thank you!) who loved our balance, our tone, our energy and presentation. And we were congratulated for being the most attentive choir there (absolutely important!) . Special mentions went to our soloists in ‘Do You Hear The People Sing’ – Dave Marsh (bass), Will Bisby (top tenor) and Chris Marsh (baritone). Our tenors were given credit for a wonderful solo section in Morte Christe, and she loved our well controlled endings to our pieces across the board. We couldn’t be more proud of every single choir member this weekend. We’ve had members singing this weekend who are super new to singing, let alone competitions. It’s the first time many of our gents have ever sung in anything as prestigious as today. What teamwork and camaraderie we’ve been a privilege to be a part of. Congratulations to the winners of all our sections – we were especially inspired by Colne Valley MVC and York Philharmonic MVC, and really loved sharing the stage with our other local choirs in Penistone ladies and Skelmanthorpe MVC. There’s something so special about being in the company of friends. Stunning performances all round ♥️🎶🎶
What an evening of fantastic performances from the choir, and the band, to a full house audience at Penistone Paramount. Highlights from the choir included Alexander’s Ragtime Band, My Lord What a Morning and Cabaret. Soloists Dave, Will and Chris sang a fantastic opening to ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ followed by Phil’s beautiful solo in Bring Him Home. We have so many talented soloists in our choir. Ralph really gave his all as MC of Cabaret! We loved it! The band played some beautiful pieces – including, Gabriel’s oboe, a magnificent ‘Bugler’s Holiday’ from their trio of talented trumpeters, and led us in some joint numbers – a Gospel Medley and a duo of WW2 singalong songs. Thanks to Nick Dolling for his inspirational arrangements.
MGMVC’s 43rd Celebrity Concert featuring THe Band of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue ServiceMillhouse Green Male Voice Choir at their Paramount Celebrity Concert 23rd March 2024
We’re looking forward to starting our 2024 concert season at the Penistone Paramount on Saturday 23rd March with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Band – 7.15. It’s Penistone Arts week too!
Looking forward to seeing you there. Please check the ‘upcoming performances’ section of our website for future dates. Our next stop is the Eskdale Festival in Whitby on Sat 20th April.
We are all absolutely buzzing after a 4 day trip to the Lakes. From our fabulous hotel ‘The Castle Inn’ on the banks of Bassenthwaite, we’ve explored Keswick, sung with Whitehaven Male Voice Choir in Cleator, and entertained the guests and shoppers of Hayes Garden World.
So many great memories made, and experiences had. 2 social evenings have brought smiles to everyone’s faces! One of our trip organisers, Ray, celebrated his Ruby wedding anniversary with us on Sunday, and brought everyone to tears with the songs he sang so beautifully to Chris.
We’ve renamed our coach driver Kev ‘The Bridge master’ and our poet laureate Christine has even written a poem about the coach / bridge experience! Please ask a choir member for the full details… it was quite the experience!
It was wonderful to share the weekend too with the wonderful Sue Christie and her partner Donald. Sue celebrated the 30th anniversary of her joining MGMVC (1994), by conducting the joint items in Cleator. Huge thank you to Donald for supporting our basses, John & Will B for being great comperes, and to Phil S for being a superstar, and basically not stopping playing all weekend!
Wonder where ‘Steve & Ray’ tours will take us next?? They are the best tour operators anywhere to be found 🤩
What a fabulous evening we have had recording a track in Thurlstone Church. We can’t wait for you to hear the ‘Pension for a Soldier’ in digital form AND we’re performing it live in concert at both Dodworth on Nov 11th & in Penistone on Nov 25th… and maybe in the Lakes later this month… watch this space ♥️🎵
Fabulous to have had 2 weddings this week for choir members and their families. Our fabulous, and experienced bass Dave got married on Thursday, accompanied in this pic by his baritone dad Chris! And Saturday saw our bass Keith celebrating the wedding of his daughter to one of our newest members – Ivan, who is trying out singing with our baritones!
A huge MGMVC congratulations to both Dave and Ivan, and their families . We couldn’t be more thrilled for you both!
