Rossendale Male Voice Choir

This is a proud Lancashire choir with both a great history and, we believe, a great future. In 2024 they will celebrate a hundred years since their foundation by Fred Tomlinson. He took a group of local singers and made of them a choir which, among other honours, would go on to win the Llangollen Eisteddfod an unprecedented THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES (1952-54).

Fred led the choir for over 50 years before handing the baton to his son, Ernest, an accomplished arranger and composer. The choir continued to win more competitions under the 24-year leadership of Beatrice Wade, and her successors, until our current maestro, Matthew Thomas, took over the reins in 2015. Matthew has brought a 21-st century approach to our repertoire, adding a more theatrical element, and we have been placed highly in every competition we have entered under his tutelage, including “Song of the Competition” at the Cornwall International Choir Festival 2019.

But it’s not only competitions we take seriously. Our love of singing starts here in the Valley, where we regularly perform to raise funds for local charities, which also gives us the chance to let our hair down a little and really entertain our friends and neighbours. As well as our true choir repertoire Matthew has now developed “The Irwell Shantymen”, a parallel group offering a more varied menu of musical offerings.

Many of us also join with our sister choir, the Rossendale Ladies Choir, to form the Rossendale Festival Choir, especially for our Christmas and charity performances.

And of course, a singalong does you good! So join up today.

“Singing in a choir can boost your body and mind as well as making you feel even more festive at this time of year. Evidence is growing in studies worldwide that belting out songs with others can strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. It is also said to improve symptoms of conditions including Alzheimer’s, depression and lung problems by improving breathing. On top of all that, being in a choir brings friendship and a sense of belonging” - Extract from The Daily Mail – 20th December 2011

WHO DO I CONTACT?

Peter Beetham is the Choir Secretary. Contact him on N 07808 733892 or email: E peterbeetham@hotmail.com and he will arrange to meet you at the rehearsal venue, St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Avenue, Haslingden, at 7.30pm on a Monday evening.

WHAT IS THE CHOIR EXPECTING OF A NEW MEMBER?

We are looking for men with a reasonable singing voice, but more importantly an enthusiasm and commitment to join the choir. You do not need to be able to read music; many of our members simply learn by following instruction from the musical director and rehearsal tracks on the website

www.rossendalemalevoicechoir.co.uk

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST REHEARSAL?

A warm welcome from a group of about 45 men, who all enjoy singing. We are a very friendly choir. Some members have joined us recently and others have been in the choir for many years. The Rossendale Male Voice Choir (RMVC) is divided into 4 sections: Top Tenors, Second Tenors, Baritones and Basses, with each section having a Section Leader. We will talk to you about which section you think will suit you best, but you will not be asked to sing in front of others. If you feel that you are not in the right section for your voice, you can try a different group, to see if that is a better fit.

WHEN WILL I SING IN A CONCERT?

All new members learn at their own pace, and as soon as you feel ready, and can demonstrate that you know the repertoire, you will be invited to sing at the next concert. WHAT WILL IT COST ME TO BE A MEMBER?

Full members of the choir pay a subscription of £16 per month, by standing order, for which they receive the loan of the choir uniform and all music.

IS THERE A SOCIAL ASPECT TO THIS CHOIR?

There certainly is, and you can get involved as much as you wish. This could be anything from a beer after rehearsals, to working with us to arrange social events and fundraising.

We sometimes sing in concert with the Rossendale Ladies Choir and form a mixed choir known as the Rossendale Festival Choir for which there are a limited number of separate rehearsals. We also have links with choirs in Europe and have had occasional trips to Germany and more recently to Killarney. Within Britain, we have had three recent, and successful, trips to Cornwall. Many of our wives or partners have joined us on these trips, and they are most welcome.

WILL I ENJOY BEING A MEMBER OF RMVC?

You certainly will. If you enjoy singing, you will be joining one of the best choirs in the area, with a long and distinguished history. We sing a wide and interesting variety of pieces both classical and modern. The choir has performed with some of the best Brass Bands in the country and speaking of which our May 2022 is to be performed at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall alongside Black Dyke Mills Band and the Rossendale Scout Band. With over a thousand tickets already sold as we go to press, this promises to be both a fantastic evening of entertainment AND a huge fund raiser for the East Lancashire Hospice. Indeed every penny of the ticket sales is given to the Hospice since all the Rossendale musicians and singers are enthusiastic volunteers. The last time the choir organised a concert at this venue, over £15,000 was donated and we hope to top that figure this year with your help.