Cancer Research UK 50th Anniversary
Surprises all round at Oake Manor on 21st September.
Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir were invited to the amazing 50th anniversary dinner for Cancer Research UK.
It goes without saying they sang and of course tried their skills in an unexpected Flash Mob. Thanks must go to Duncan Hughes for starting the choir off on this.
A message from Chris Knapman
There was an auction of gifts worth hundreds of pounds and a raffle, all to raise money for Cancer Research UK
In the Taunton CRUK Group, two clinical trials are being funded at the Beacon Centre. The trials contribute a considerable amount of research into prostate and ovarian cancers. Significant and encouraging progress has been made in these areas.
On behalf of the Taunton and Local District Cancer Research Committee, I should like to thank the Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir for their wonderful contribution to our 50th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday evening.
The 'flash mob' worked brilliantly and took everyone by surprise, so we must all have kept it a secret as instructed!
Then the following two sets of songs were very much enjoyed by everyone, especially as we were able to join in at times. There was a lovely variety of songs but I personally particularly enjoyed the 'Hallelujah'.
I hope that your members all enjoyed the evening as well. It was a very memorable evening for us.
Perhaps you can pass on our thanks to your chairman and the rest of the choir.
Many thanks once again.
Chris Knapman Secretary of the CRUK Taunton Committee
Mike Best, Somerset Council Chair
Doctor Chief Mansour Jumaa Mayor’s Consort
Mayor Cllr Vanessa Garside
Brigadier Richard Toomey CBE Deputy for High Sheriff
Message
from Pauline Homeshaw
Dear Phil
Please pass on our huge thanks to everyone in the Choir for giving us such a great concert last night in St James's.
It was a lovely evening and there were some very nice comments from people as they were leaving. The choir sounded wonderful and you all work so hard but obviously enjoy the camaraderie so much.
Thank you again and here's to the next time!
Best wishes.
Pauline - on behalf of everyone in
Pauline Homeshaw Publicity Officer SSAFA Somerset
SSAFA Somerset
Message from Nick Thomas
Hi all. Well done with the performance at the SAFFA concert last weekend.
I have to say that we did ourselves proud. We knew the songs well and there was a great sense of performance in every song. Dynamics were good and we really were confident in all songs.
There is still some work to do in Away From the Roll of the Sea and I will work at this.
I can help you with the rhythms (if you watch my rhythm indications from my hands)
As you know, I like to pay attention to details in all songs that we do, and this work will inevitably enhance our performances, so I make no apologies for going over sections of music we think we know in rehearsals, but you also must do your homework, listen to the learning tracks and revise words constantly.
A
note from Ian Ramus
I have been the President of Taunton CRUK for about 15 years, but only 18 months as a Member of Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir! It was therefore with some trepidation that I approached our singers and asked them if they would consider joining the celebrations to mark the 50 year Anniversary of Fundraising for CRUK in Taunton and indeed provide some entertainment!
My idea was that the entertainment would include a “flash mob” experience, thereby surprising our guests, and then come together to sing a set of six songs. As uniforms would spoil the surprise element, singers were asked to arrive in DJs or Lounge Suits .
I was delighted when 30 singers agreed to this plan and with their wives, partners and guests we were able to fill 9 tables, resulting in 90 guests!
TDMVC, generously, agreed to waive their fee and accept Dinner at a reduced cost.
I needed help to musically make this happen and I was absolutely delighted when Duncan Hughes agreed to “choreograph” the singing and plan the placing of three singers on each table for the shanty “South Australia” followed by the positioning of the full choir for our set of six.
I also needed an Accompanist and Conductor and was even more delighted when Mike Wager agreed to come and indeed performed brilliantly!
The music was the easy part! After a stressful two months we eventually managed to attract a total of 160 guests to attend the Celebratory Dinner at Oake Manor Golf Club.
Our “Top Table” included: Chris Davies and his wife Katy, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset; our local MP Gideon Amos and his wife Caroline; our local President of CRUK David Milliken and his wife Joy; our Deputy Mayor Nick O’Donnell and his wife Catherine. The National CRUK representative was Trudy Stammer and Chris Cutting, Vice Chairman of our local CRUK.
Money raised from the Raffle and the Auction amounted to £2000.
Remembrance Concert at Braunton Christ Church
On 9th November, the choir was kindly invited by the Barnstaple Male Voice Choir to take part in a remembrance concert.
The event was extremely moving, featuring a varied selection of pieces by both choirs.
As a tribute to those who served and sacrificed their lives for the country, it was a chance for the community to come together in remembrance. A highlight of the evening was the audience joining in well known wartime tunes.
The last post was sounded by the musicians along with two minutes silence.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them
Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir
Barnstaple Male Voice Choir
Message from Nick Thomas
Hi all.
I was very pleased with our performance at Barnstaple.
The acoustics were forgiving and we sang confidently. We were mostly well in tune and with good dynamic contrast which really does make all the difference when we perform.
The audience enjoyed the variety and diversity of our songs.
We were a little unnoticeably awry in one part of How Great Thou art and I apologise for the slight miss count from me at the beginning of African Prayer which was noticeable.
Again, a slight muddle with words in Requiem for a Soldier (forever, together, together).
Provisional Choir Future Programme (part) 2024-2025 (As at 23rd October 2024)
Sat 23.11.2024
Informal evening at The Lord Nelson,Norton Sub Hamdon
Mon 9.12.2024
Carols Around the Bandstand
Vivary Park
Wed 11.12.2024
Age UK Christmas Concert, Wells Cathedral
Sat 8.2.2025
Patrons’ Concert St James’ Church with Kingsbury Episcopi Band
Sat 1.3.2025
St David’s Day Concert with Taff Ely Ladies’ Choir Wellington School
Concert in aid of Cancer Research UK, Taunton Branch at St James’ Church
Blake’s Coaches Charity Fundraiser in Dawlish
Thu 12.12.2024 Sat 14.12.2024
Christmas Concert
Wellington Methodist Church
Concert in Bridport with Dorset Police Choir
Visit to Cowbridge MVC
Sat 22.3.2025 Sat 5.4.2025 Sat 10.5.2025 Sun 1.6.2025
Concert at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis
The Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir is an organisation in which I have enjoyed being a member sinceApril 2012. During this time, I have sung as a second tenor and made many friends. The fact that I have been able to take on a wide variety of roles within the choir has helped me to understand its complex functions. I feel honoured and take great pleasure from being elected to the position of Chairman. This post carries a widespread responsibility which I take most seriously. I see that this covers three main areas, welfare of choir members, administration of the choir and quality of performance.
My aim is to develop the choir from a really good one into a much sought-after one that has an excellent reputation for quality singing and entertainment. In order to achieve this, I will be concentrating on certain aspects. I have been looking at our song portfolio with the Musical Director to balance challenging pieces with more popular, romantic and well-known songs. I have asked both our Director andAssistant Director to undertake careful assessment of our output both overall and by sections. I will try to improve our onstage skills so that we come across as a quality choir who sings with enthusiasm. The aim should be to please the audience who will enjoy our performance so much that they will want to hear us again.
The programme for the months ahead shows that we can look forward to an exciting series of events. My personal objective is to widen our musical footprint and to this end I have been working with the Concert Secretary to link up with choirs beyond the boundary of Taunton but near enough to get there and back within a day.
In addition to these day trips, we are planning mini tours over two or three days each to sing with choirs who have expressed an interest in a joint concert.
Although there will be many challenges, there are good times ahead for us all and it is important that we prepare ourselves well.
John Hudson Chairman
Welcome to five new choir members
Glen Gapper
Mark Reeve
Roger Evans
Paul Knapp
Karl Morgan
Singing Quiz
1. Which singer is known for his deep, soulful voice and hits like Take Me to Church and Movement?
A. Sam Smith
B. Ed Sheeran
C. Hozier
D. John Legend
2. Which R&B singer is known for his smooth falsetto and hits like Blurred Lines and Lost Without U?
A. Usher
B. Justin Timberlake
C. Robin Thicke
D. Chris Brown
3. This country singer is known for his deep, baritone voice and hits like Die a Happy Man and Marry Me.
A. Luke Bryan
B. Blake Shelton
C. Thomas Rhett
D. Chris Stapleton
4. Which iconic crooner is known for his timeless classics like Fly Me to the Moon and My Way?
A. Frank Sinatra
B. Dean Martin
C. Nat King Cole
D. Elvis Presley
5. This British singer-songwriter is known for his powerful vocals and hits like Someone Like You and Hello
A. Ed Sheeran
B. Sam Smith
C. Adele
D. John Legend
6. Who is the lead vocalist of the rock band Led Zeppelin, known for his distinctive wailing voice?
A. Robert Plant
B. Mick Jagger
C. Freddie Mercury
D. Jim Morrison
7. This rapper is known for his deep, gravelly voice and hits like Lose Yourself and Stan.
A. Jay-Z
B. Kanye West
C. Eminem
D. Drake
Just in case there isn’t another VoiceMale before Christmas, may I wish you a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year 2025.
With best wishes
David Kelly
Quiz Answers:
C. Hozier 2. C. Robin Thicke
C. Thomas Rhett 4. A. Frank Sinatra 5. C. Adele
A. Robert Plant
C. Eminem
VoiceMale Editor
