History

HISTORY

The Audley Male Voice Choir is an ever changing one, gradually so as to hardly notice at the time.                                     As members change so does the choir and the sound it produces. Each time period has it's uniqueness and as the different phases merge into the sunset of it's day each is remembered and never forgotten by the members who remain and who shared that experience.

The ancient parish of Audley lies on the Staffordshire/ Cheshire border and is described as "an out of the way, quiet place" by local historians. There was a male choir  singing in Audley in the 1940's but ceased to exist until the Audley Male Voice Choir  as we know it was re-founded in 1954 by William Bowers and had strong links with the non-conformist and mining traditions of North Staffordshire. William Bowers was a local teacher and conducted both mixed and childrens choirs in his own considerable contribution to choral music in the Audley area. His decision to form an all male choir and supported by his family began a story that continues on to this day. During his final period of illness the choir's ability to continue regular practices and honour concert commitments rested  upon the  shoulders of two choir members Wallace Fryer and Geoff Statham. 

Philip Broadhurst who subsequently owned and provided a much appreciated valuable community service as the local chemist in Audley was the choirs accompanist at this time and eventually became the second designated Musical Director of the choir. Membership has ebbed and flowed over the years. Up to the time of Philips retirement over 40yrs later over two hundred and Fifty men have shared in the life and successes the choir has achieved during his tenure.


The choir performed in many local venues raising money for local charities, such as the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and Donna Louise Trust in addition to British Heart Foundation amongst many. The choir has been pleased to provide financial assistance to Audley Theatre and Audley Brass Band to enable them to refurbish the theatre and build the new band rehearsal room respectively. In October 2008, £7000 was raised in one concert to assist Audley Rotary Club Fund a drug awareness scheme for Audley and wider afield in addition to monetary assistance for Audley Parish Church to restore the ancient Tower. In 2004, a concert with Biddulph Male Voice Choir and the Birmingham Salvation Army Band raised in excess of £8000 for a Rotary Centenary Appeal. 


 


Appearances at 1000 voice concerts at the Royal Albert Hall include three with English Voices, two with Welsh Voices and one with Yorkshire Voices. In addition, in November 2000, the choir was invited to take part in a Festival of 2000 Yorkshire Voices in the Sheffield Arena to raise funds for Cancer research.


 


The choir has competed in many musical festivals, with enviable success, winning prizes at Biddulph, Blackpool, Freckleton, Huddersfield, Macclesfield, Morecambe, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and most notably at the International Festival of Malta where it won 1st place in the Male Voice section in 1990 but more importantly made many friends amongst the local population and even made two Nuns cry with our memorable rendering of Ave Maria.

The choir visited Cornwall in 2004 and was hosted by the St Stythians MVC.  The choir gave concerts in Newquay and St Stythians as well as a short recital in Exeter Cathedral on the return journey. The choir sang a different complete programme of 16 songs at each of the two concerts they  participated in, quite a remarkable achievement for any choir. In 2006, the choir paid a visit to the West Coast of Scotland where concerts were given in Dunoon and Rothesay. Large audiences were very appreciative of the choir's singing and in excess of £2000 was raised for local charities organised by the Rothensay Rotary Club. The choir also gave a half hour recital in Glasgow  Cathedral on the way home. St Stythians MVC made a visit to Audley in May 2007 and together the choirs enjoyed a weekend of fellowship and singing.   


In  the spring of 2010 the choir were invited to take part in the Cornwall International Festival of Male Voice Choirs in Truro. Whilst not successful in the competition which involved some 15 choirs ranging in size from 50 to 90 choristors the choir took part in two concerts with other choirs in Padstow and the Eden Project.


 


The choir celebrated its Diamond Jubliee Anniversary in August 2014 and during the year held special events to mark this milestone culminating in a Celebrity Concert. A dinner took place in March 2015 and a special DVD was commissioned. ‘Let All Men Sing’  which chronicles the Diamond Jubilee year and a brief history of the choir. Six recordings of the choir have been made, the most recent being in the summer of 2014  "Singing for You" together with a “Nostalgic Disc” to celebrate sixty years of singing. Sounds of a Male Voice Choir", "In Concert", "With a Voice of Singing" and "Musical Treasures" are in our current discography.  Several new works for Male Voice Choirs have been commissioned over the years. "Let the Peoples Praise Thee" by Antonin Tucapsky celebrated the twenty fifth anniversary of the choir and  Psalm 150 by Alan Bullard was commissioned for the Fiftieth Anniversary. In between “ Sleepy Head" and "Short leg Long Leg and Silly Mid-Off " by Alan Simmons . and a Goff Richards work with words by David Dearlove entitled "China" were commissioned with funds given in memory of members. “China” connects the Chinese Dynasties to our local Pottery Industry, in particular to Josiah Wedgwood, and was premiered at the Celebrity Concert in 2008.


 


The choir provided a bursary for a music student at Keele University for many years,and the choir also had a long history of  supporting the now sadly terminated "Biddulph Musical Festival" and we take this opportunity to place on our record our admiration and appreciation to Gwenda Jones Biddulph Male Voice Choirs Musical Director, the Mrs Motivator who's  inspiration and energy was responsible for this long running Music Festivals success over many years and which in turn inspired many local songsters and musicians in the surrounding area to improve their potential.


 


A  special occasion worthy of note occured in 1998 when the choirs status and reputation were recognised by being  privileged to be invited to "christen" the newly refurbished Victoria Hall (part of the new cultural quarter). The soloist was local soprano Denise Leigh, who subsequently shot to national fame by becoming a joint winner of "Operatunity" on Channel 4.

Denise appeared at many local concerts with the choir together with other local artistes notably Pamela Clarke and Lynne Bradbury.

Sue Hallam was already well known and established within the North Staffordshire Music scene. before taking over thechoir.She retired as Head of the Stoke-On-Trent Music Service having worked in High Schools and Primary Schools across the county for over 33years. She justifiably took great pride in her own contribution to the developement of choral singing in the city for young people aged 4-18. Her involvement with the Penkhull Music Festival over many years enhanced her reputation even wider afield. Having being temporary Musical Director of the choir during Philip Broadhursts illness for some months  it was only natural for the choir on Philips subsequent retirement following audition against other applicants to select Sue as Musical Director of the choir in 2015. During the many months of Covid 19 lockdown Sue kept the choir together with her imagination and determination  in her communication skills and leadership to ensure the choir survived to continue on into the future following her retirement in 2022.

Samuel Winter the choirs Deputy Conductor  joined the choir in 2015. He was born on the tip of North Kent and spent his formative years in and around the London Borough of Bromley. His music education began at a young age and was fostered by the prestigious Bromley Youth Music Trust( BYMT), where he studied clarinet and choral singing. Samuels involvement with BYMT took him on several tours of England and Europe including the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Holland as a bass clarinet player and to Westminster Abbey as a chorister. Samuel moved to North Staffordshire in 2009 to read musicology at Keele University at undergraduate and Master's levels. During his time at university he was involved with many extra-curricular music activities, some of which involved tours of Europe.He taught Mathematics at Newcastle -Under-Lyme College. In 2021 Samual was offered and accepted the chance to move to London in a similar capacity, his presence , musical ability and contribution to the choirs developement will be missed but he leaves with the choirs appreciation and graditude .

David Winsor who was appointed as the  choirs accompanist in 2015 decided to retire from this role in 2023. We will miss his  sensitive accompanist contributions to the choir,and guest  soloists, his genial demeaner and witty sense of humour. We wish him the very best and will remember him with fondness and affection.

Robert was barely with us for 12 months before injury followed by severe unassociated illness forced him to terminate his contract with the choir. For historical record  and our respect, we leave Roberts information to remind us of the man.Robert Owens is a professional tenor, singing coach and conductor originally from North Wales but is currently based near Manchester.

Robert graduated from The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) with Honours in 2019 then went on to continue his studies in conducting. While at the RNCM Robert worked with Wagner tenor Jeffery Lawton and Sir Matthew Best as well as getting the opportunity to take part in conducting workshops with Sir Mark Elder and others. 

Before attending The RNCM at the age of 14 he started studying singing, saxophone and conducting at the Junior RNCM where he was awarded a scholarship to study singing with Wagner tenor Jeffery Lawton. While studying at the Junior RNCM Robert was the recipient of singing awards from both The National and International Eisteddfod on multiple occasions. 

Robert has lots of experience working as an accompanist, deputy musical director and musical director for some of the best Male Voice Choirs in North Wales.

He has worked with Rhos orpheus MVC, Rhos MVC and Cantorion Colin Jones to name a few as well as working with mixed voice and female voice choirs. 

Robert currently works with some of the worlds best professional and semi professional opera companies as a singer, conductor and coach but still has a passion for Male Voice Choirs. Robert joined our choir in June 2022. Tragically for the choir Robert was diognosed with an illness in early January 2023 which eventually resulted in Robert regretfully terminating his contract in June 2023

ROLE OF HONOUR OF  PAST MEMBERS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN OUR CHOIR HISTORY

Accompanists..................... Harold Nixon,Aldwyn Massey, Ian Riddle, David Windsor

Jack Aldridge............................. Past chairman For his astute and most generous leadership

Dennis Humphreys.............For his help and guidance  in the organisation of  the early Victoria Hall concerts

Stan Holdway.....................Past Chairman for his firm business like leadership.

Mike Rowley.......................Past Chairman amongst other roles  for his kindly leadership  through difficult                                                       times.

Reg Horne.............................Stalwart Tenor soloist always ready to perform even when suffering poor health                                                    over many years.

Wesley Sumnal....................Deputy Conductor and Bass soloist for many years, Wes was a joy within our midst.

Fred Cole ............................For his many supportive roles Stage manager, Social secretary, Parts Rep                                                                                    Committee member to name  but a few. 

Ken Williamson...................... Passed Chairman  and  contributions throughout  his tenue have been, intuitive,                                                                        entertaining and above all his smile has been a joy to see. Ken felt it was time for a                                                                  younger man to take on the helm. He is now the choirs Deputy Chairman.

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