Stephen Lawry - Musical Director


Stephen Lawry was born in Newlyn in 1963.  His early years showed little of music, apart from Sunday School Anniversary concerts and the like.  Douglas Thomas, the organist at Newlyn Trinity, and MD of Newlyn Male Choir, asked him if he would like to have a go at singing when he was 17 years old, he joined the second basses at Newlyn, and he hasn’t stopped since! 

Douglas then got Steve involved in the Chapel Choir, where he sang bass for 20 years.  Steve also became part of a young mixed quartet, for a few years.  In 1985 Govenek Choir were formed, at Penzance YMCA, and he was a founder member.  It wasn’t long  before they needed conducting, and Steve’s limited experience in singing was as much as there was available!   So began his joy in leading singers.

Steve led children’s singing groups, and instrumental groups, and began arranging music for them, and for Govenek Choir.  In all he led Govenek for over 15 years, and in over 530 engagements, whilst singing male voice all the while.  The attitudes and approaches of Douglas Thomas and Ken Northey, MDs at Newlyn, were major influences, during his 24 years in Newlyn.

In 2001 Buccas Four, a male quartet from Newlyn, got together.  Stephen, David Williams, Graham Warren and Charles Parke have enjoyed many concerts, rehearsals, and social times ever since, and it gives great pleasure to them all.  In the same year the Mount’s Bay Singers were formed by Sheila Farmer.  Stephen has been a cornerstone of the bass section, and deputy conductor ever since.

At the end of 2003, when Mousehole Male Voice Choir were looking for a Musical Director, Steve applied, and he has led the Choir since early 2004, maintaining a sense of humour, and a joy in the making of music.  His encouraging and positive approach, and the camaraderie and enthusiasm amongst the members, has seen the membership double in his time with the Choir.

A feature of Stephen’s time with the Choir has been the variety of music which he has introduced, as well as the many arrangements he has written for the Choir, producing a joyful and changing repertoire. 

He came up with some of the many inspired ideas when Mousehole celebrated their Centenary, and continues to press and encourage the Choir on to great singing, and great events!

In the summer of 2008 the Penzance Orpheus Ladies Choir were desperately searching for a musical director, and Steve took them on.  It has given him a different challenge, which he has met positively, and the Ladies are now flourishing, with a changing repertoire, and increasing membership.

In his working life Steve bottles wine for the Cornish Mead Company (who are good supporters of the Choir!) and is very happy!     

 

 

 

 

David Williams - Assistant Musical Director

 

 

 

David was born in Singapore in 1967. He has lived in West Cornwall since the age of seven when his family moved back home, and currently lives in Madron.

He attended Tolcarne School where his love of music was triggered by Mr. John White and Mr. Henry Norris (headmaster). He was a chorister at St. Peter’s Church in Newlyn, learning the piano under the tutelage of the organist, Mr. Wadge.  David sang in the choir at Humphry Davy Grammar School under the baton of Mr. Russell Jory, who was also his tutor when he studied O- and A-level music at Penwith Sixth Form College.

David sang with Newlyn Male Choir for many years which gave him his grounding in male voice singing. He was also a member of Govenek Choir for a number of years, where he met his wife, Alison. He has sung baritone in Buccas Four, a male voice quartet, since they formed in 2001.

In his working life, David is a Dispensing Optician, at Reynolds Opticians, at the bottom of Market Jew Street, Penzance.

Away from music, David loves skiing when he gets the chance, and motorbike touring.

David was appointed Assistant Musical Director of Mousehole in 2010, and also sings in the baritone line. He is a great asset to the Choir in the preparation and printing of music, which has been arranged for the Choir, and compiling rehearsal CDs. He is enjoying working with the Choir, both in rehearsals and concerts, and feels privileged to have been given the opportunity to be part of the tradition of male voice singing in Penwith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annette Turton- Accompanist

 

Annette studied at the London College of Music achieving very high qualifications, and during this time she took part in many major recitals.

Her music teaching covers considerable work with children, and adults, in famous London schools and Colleges; many of whom won competitions, for which she was awarded the (Hon) F.L.C.M.

During her long career, she has worked for television companies such as Granada, providing music for television, and accompanied many fine musicians such as the cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.

Since being in Cornwall she has been in great demand for concerts, as an accompanist for soloists and groups, and particularly enjoys accompanying the Mousehole Male Voice Choir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above :- 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.

 

Updated 19th Feb 2011