Mousehole Male Voice Choir - History

Mousehole Male Voice Choir can trace its impressive history back to the autumn of 1909 and the meeting of a group of local men, just nine in number who came together to rehearse Christmas carols. 
Securing the use of a former net loft above the fish curing tanks in Duck Street, it was not long before the group’s repertoire broadened to include part songs and other popular pieces. Under the name, “The Double Quartette” they began to perform concerts in local chapels, village halls and hospitals. 
Mr. W.F. Bryant was duly appointed conductor, with N. Harvey as accompanist and it was they who guided the choir through its early years. The choir’s reputation steadily grew as did it’s number and in 1919, after a short hiatus during the 1914 – 1918 War, choir activities resumed under the auspices of Mr.F.Roach (conductor) and his sister, Annie.
The choir’s musical profile developed under a succession of conductors and accompanists, special mention going to Ann Pomeroy for her outstanding service at the piano for some thirty – three years. Whilst on the subject of long service we should pay tribute to Sid Waters who achieved the unique distinction of serving in the choir for sixty – two years. Sadly Sid passed away at the end of 1998, and is missed by all. 
By 1927, and numbering around thirty members, the choir was giving concerts throughout the country and participating to great success in a variety of music festivals. In 1932 the choir made the first of over one hundred radio broadcasts and in 1956 they became the first Cornish Male Voice Choir to appear on television as part of the BBC’s, “In Town Tonight” show. In 1962 the choir broadcast again on television for the I.T.V. “Westward” programme. Numerous TV appearances followed, providing the choir with an excellent forum to reach a wider audience. In 1995, they made their most recent contribution in the BBC programme, “Songs Of Praise”. This show was given worldwide syndication and the choir received many letters of appreciation.
But it is with live performances that the choir’s true heart lies and over the years the musical repertoire on offer has delighted and enthralled audiences. In 1933 the choir began it’s highly successful and popular Summer Festivals which feature a guest artiste prominent in the world of concert music. Past guests have included Bryn Terfel, Benjamin Luxon, Valerie Masterson and Alan Opie – clear recognition of the high regard in which the choir is held. In 1999 under the musical directorship of Tom Waters and with accompanists John Harry and Norman Bunney, the choir was delighted to welcome international soprano Dame Felicity Lott to the festival. 
The choir continues to make concert tours both within the region and further a field. Recent destinations have included Westbury, Tintagel, South Wales, Cuxhaven in Germany and Brittany. The choir’s standing is such that they have the honour of being the first and only Cornish Male Choir invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Festival of Welsh Voices. The 90th anniversary concert tour to Grass Valley, USA is further confirmation of the choirs international reputation and is a double celebration since it is also 150th anniversary of the Gold Rush.
Since it’s humble beginnings in that disused net loft in a small fishing village, the choir has grown, evolved and become part of the distinct fabric of life in West Cornwall – reflecting and celebrating the areas highs and lows. This was most poignantly seen in 1981 when the Penlee Lifeboat, Solomon Browne was lost whilst aiding a stricken coaster. The eight crewmen who gave their lives were all Mousehole men and it was the choir who played a key role in co – ordinating and singing at the memorial services. Subsequently the choir has continued and expanded its support of the RNLI and indeed other local charities.
As the new millennium begins, Mousehole MVC is already planning its future engagements and we very much hope to enjoy your continued loyal support. 

Mousehole Male Voice Choir: A brief collected history by Tim Rees

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Pictures of the Choir when it just started.

Here we have pictures of the choir when it had just started out.

This is the earliest known picture of the choir. This picture was taken in 1911.

Back Row: T. B.WORTH, J. WARREN, R. H. THOMAS, R. PENTREATH, J. C. MATTHEWS, W. F. BRYANT (Conductor)
Front Row: W. HARVEY, E. F. WATERS, NETTIE PENDER (nee George), C. ASH, E. MATTHEWS (Accompanist)

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This is a picture of the choir in 1920

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Past Conductors of the Choir
1909  W. F. Bryant
1919  F. Roach
1925  C. Aitken
1929  J. Cotton
1930  L. Collins
 1940  J. C. Potter
1945  R. J. Maddern Williams
1954 S. Hosking
1968  E. M. Dale
1989 - Tom Waters

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 Past Accompanists

 

John Harry - Accompanist

 

The choir's regular accompanist, John hails from St. Just-in-Penwith. Music has played an important port in his life since he began studying piano at the age of eight. He has been an accompanist to numerous local choirs and operatic societies, including an impressive fifteen year run with Mousehole Male Voice Choir and a forty-five year tenure as a church organist.

John's other great love is the Cornish dialect, an interest that has taken him all over the world. HE took part in the L' Orient InterCeltic Festival in Brittany and the Kernewic Lowender in South Australia. John has appeared on Australian television and made various radio broadcasts, reciting his well-known dialect poems.On occasion he will also perform his comic monologues at choir events, to popular delight. 

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1909-2009

THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS

 

In 2009 the Choir will be celebrating its Centenary, this will be a significant milestone in its history for both the Choir and the community.

In the autumn of 1909,a group of nine local men came together in a net loft to rehearse Christmas Carols. From this humble beginning the Choir has progressed successfully for almost a Centenary, and the Choir now has a membership of over seventy singers.

A special committee has been formed to arrange concerts, trips and special events, which aim to involve the community.

The Choir President Douglas Williams M.B.E. is preparing for publication a Choir History Book which will contain over seventy photographs, many from very early days. The book will be launched at the Penlee Gallery, Penlee Park, Penzance on the 28th November 2008.

This will coincide with the opening of an Exhibition depicting the history of Mousehole, including its traditions with the Choir.

It is hoped that a special light display will be featured at the famous Mousehole Christmas Illuminations Christmas 2008 and 2009.

Special Commemorative Plaques will be placed at Mousehole Methodist Chapel, Paul Parish Church and also in Duck Street where the Choir originated.

A Choir Music Workshop led by Alan Simmons will take place in March 2009 at Penzance Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street, Penzance.

This will be open to all the Male Voice Choirs in the County.

At the end of May 2009 a tour lasting a week is planned to Ireland.

Concerts will be in Rosslare and Killarney.

 The following month in June Midsummer a flower display and Choir Exhibition has been arranged at Paul Parish Church. Concerts will be performed by the Choir with Special Guests.

The Annual Summer Festival 2009 is at St Mary’s Church Penzance on Sunday the 2nd of August, the Guest Artist will be the popular and talented Alistair Taylor.

A shared concert with the Redruth Operatic Society who are also celebrating their Centenary, will be held at Penzance in the spring and at Redruth in the autumn.

Further details of the Choirs events will be announced later this year.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will enjoy sharing in the Choir Celebrations.

Tim James, Secretary.

 

The Gift Of Tin

A tin badge, replicating the blazer, badge design, has been given to the choir members by the ladies committee as a special centenary gift.

          The badges were made by local company St Justin using tin that was originally smelted at Chyandour, Penzance in 1862. The ingots were shipped from Penzance on the SS Liverpool, but the boat sank off Anglesey and the tin was not recovered until 2001. A consignment of tin was then bought by St. Justin to make items in their Cornish tin collection.

          Your chance to own a little piece of this history and celebrate the choir’s centenary.

          A limited number of the badges are for sale at £8.00 each including p+p E-mail for enquires.

 

 

Six members of the choir with more than 50 years service .

From left…..Derek Harvey , Ivor George, Arthur Brown, Garfield Matthews, Dennis Mitchell, Peter Mitchell.