March 8th was the date in 2000, when 12 men responded to an article placed in the West Somerset Free Press by Robert Green and Keith Halstead to form a choir in Minehead for male voices. At that meeting, a Monday, the twelve, of whom only two were known to each other, agreed to try to form a choir and meet on Mondays.
That first rehearsal was held the following week in the bar of a private hotel in Church Road with a borrowed keyboard. Initially, music was borrowed from Rugby MVC (where Robert had been Musical Director) and from Warley MVC, with whom one of the twelve had previously sung.
Thereafter rehearsals led by Robert were held in Townsend House until, as numbers grew, a move was made in the spring of 2001 to Alcombe Methodist Church where Minehead Male Voice Choir still rehearses every Monday. Of the original 12 singers, only Glenn Baker remains as a permanent member. Today, Robert Green is the choir’s President, Jackie Butterworth is Musical Director and Monika Balogh the choir’s official accompanist, assisted by Alan Hemsley.
One of the great joys of male voice singing is the very important act of the Afterglow, when choirs who have performed together for their public, come together to enjoy further choral collaboration, refreshment and socialising after concerts. For many the pleasure is the collaborative enjoyment of striving to attain a beautiful overall sound pleasing to the ear of our musical director, ourselves and subsequently our audiences.
Scientific evidence exists to prove that choral singing is beneficial to physical health, which is further enhanced by the social interaction with your fellow and visiting choristers. Our choir membership today has risen to more than 40. New members are always sought and all interested in singing are welcome to the weekly rehearsals, beginning at 7.30pm in Alcombe Methodist Church. Although no auditions are necessary, an ability to sing in tune is required. Come along and join us. For more information visit our website.
www.mineheadmalevoicechoir.org.uk
