A Brief History of the Choir
Formed in 1965 by a small group of enthusiasts and under its original name of Churchdown Male Chorus, the choir's first conductor was Roy Dorrington. Under its current name, the choir's next conductor was John Stead, who handed over to John Blenkinsopp in 1974.
Several pianists have accompanied the choir through the years. Richard Hatton was followed by David Mitchell, Mary Carter, Peggy Brooks, Sister Mary Morton, Margaret Holloway, Jane Harper and from 1998 until April 2010, the brilliant Pam Taverner. Pam was valued for her accompaniment to the choir and to the choir soloists, her own solo performances and her willingness to become involved in all sorts of music making.
In 2000, Ralph Barnes joined the choir and within a few years was appointed Assistant Musical Director. Ralph has brought a new dimension to the choir through his youth and enthusiasm. He is also a soloist, and his lovely tenor voice is much appreciated by both choir and audiences. In 2008 Ralph was appointed Deputy MD. He is now the choir's Musical Director
Musical Director John Blenkinsopp provided a wonderful example of musicianship and dedication for more than 35 years. He worked hard with the choir to produce as fine a sound as possible and introduced to the repertoire songs not normally sung by male voice choirs. Extended works from the classics, songs to accompany soloists and operatic choruses sung with orchestras and bands have all been featured in the last few years. In 2004, Cheltenham Arts Council presented John with the Opera Cup in recognition of his contribution to music in the county.
March 2010 saw the retirement of John Blenkinsopp and In August of the same year Ralph Barnes was promoted to Musical Director. At the same time Pam Taverner left the choir and her place was taken by the very able Mike Haines. Mike left in June 2012 to persue further interests and the assistant accompanist James Quinn has now taken over as choir accompanist.
The choir has always enjoyed appearing with soloists of the highest quality. Many local singers have sung with the choir, and a particular favourite is Sue Black from Malvern, who has been steadfast in her support for the choir over 30 years. With her beautiful soprano voice and sparkling stage presence she has charmed audiences in this country and on tour. Over the years the choir has had a great privilege of sharing the stage with many great singers and performers.The choir combined with both the National Association of Choirs (NAC) and the English Association of Male Voice Choirs (EAMVC), and concert guests have included; Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Cliff Richard, Dennis O'Neill, Max Boyce, Elaine Paige, Michael Dennison, Honor Blackman and many others.
Several pianists have accompanied the choir through the years. Richard Hatton was followed by David Mitchell, Mary Carter, Peggy Brooks, Sister Mary Morton, Margaret Holloway, Jane Harper and from 1998 until April 2010, the brilliant Pam Taverner. Pam was valued for her accompaniment to the choir and to the choir soloists, her own solo performances and her willingness to become involved in all sorts of music making.
In 2000, Ralph Barnes joined the choir and within a few years was appointed Assistant Musical Director. Ralph has brought a new dimension to the choir through his youth and enthusiasm. He is also a soloist, and his lovely tenor voice is much appreciated by both choir and audiences. In 2008 Ralph was appointed Deputy MD. He is now the choir's Musical Director
Musical Director John Blenkinsopp provided a wonderful example of musicianship and dedication for more than 35 years. He worked hard with the choir to produce as fine a sound as possible and introduced to the repertoire songs not normally sung by male voice choirs. Extended works from the classics, songs to accompany soloists and operatic choruses sung with orchestras and bands have all been featured in the last few years. In 2004, Cheltenham Arts Council presented John with the Opera Cup in recognition of his contribution to music in the county.
March 2010 saw the retirement of John Blenkinsopp and In August of the same year Ralph Barnes was promoted to Musical Director. At the same time Pam Taverner left the choir and her place was taken by the very able Mike Haines. Mike left in June 2012 to persue further interests and the assistant accompanist James Quinn has now taken over as choir accompanist.
The choir has always enjoyed appearing with soloists of the highest quality. Many local singers have sung with the choir, and a particular favourite is Sue Black from Malvern, who has been steadfast in her support for the choir over 30 years. With her beautiful soprano voice and sparkling stage presence she has charmed audiences in this country and on tour. Over the years the choir has had a great privilege of sharing the stage with many great singers and performers.The choir combined with both the National Association of Choirs (NAC) and the English Association of Male Voice Choirs (EAMVC), and concert guests have included; Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Cliff Richard, Dennis O'Neill, Max Boyce, Elaine Paige, Michael Dennison, Honor Blackman and many others.
Previous Soloist |
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Sue Black
The choir considers itself extremely fortunate to have had the wonderful soprano Susan Black to sing for us in many of our concerts. Sue retired a number of years back. She has been on most of our tours over the years and has wowed audiences both home and abroad with her fabulous voice and her sparkling stage presence.
Susan has a wide repertoire, from early music to new works of contemporary composers, covering opera, light opera, oratorio, recitals and concert work.
She has performed in concert halls, theatres and cathedrals throughout the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, and in France, Germany, Spain, Holland, Washington DC., South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Susan has had the privilege of performing all the greatest leading roles in the grand opera repertoire, the most recent being Elizabeth of Valois in the latest production by Bel Canto Opera of Don Carlos by Verdi.
Susan has shared the platform with many local choral societies, brass bands, orchestras and opera companies, male voice choirs, including her dearest friends, The Churchdown Male Voice Choir, as well as The Morriston Orpheus and Treorchy Male Choirs, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Band of the Grenadier Guards, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, The English Symphony Orchestra, The Band of the Royal Air Force and other military bands.
Sue has been singing with the choir for over 30 years and we are extremely grateful that she has brightened our stages on so many occasions.
The choir considers itself extremely fortunate to have had the wonderful soprano Susan Black to sing for us in many of our concerts. Sue retired a number of years back. She has been on most of our tours over the years and has wowed audiences both home and abroad with her fabulous voice and her sparkling stage presence.
Susan has a wide repertoire, from early music to new works of contemporary composers, covering opera, light opera, oratorio, recitals and concert work.
She has performed in concert halls, theatres and cathedrals throughout the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, and in France, Germany, Spain, Holland, Washington DC., South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Susan has had the privilege of performing all the greatest leading roles in the grand opera repertoire, the most recent being Elizabeth of Valois in the latest production by Bel Canto Opera of Don Carlos by Verdi.
Susan has shared the platform with many local choral societies, brass bands, orchestras and opera companies, male voice choirs, including her dearest friends, The Churchdown Male Voice Choir, as well as The Morriston Orpheus and Treorchy Male Choirs, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Band of the Grenadier Guards, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, The English Symphony Orchestra, The Band of the Royal Air Force and other military bands.
Sue has been singing with the choir for over 30 years and we are extremely grateful that she has brightened our stages on so many occasions.