Whilst none of us in the choir ever thought we would be rehearsing on-line for so long, the real positive that has come out of this situation is that we have talked to each other more; connected on many more different levels than before. We have always been a ‘social’ choir, but we meet to sing and being on-line has created a different purpose. Yes, we still sing, but we do so much more and this feels good. we actually see each others faces now! In rehearsal our focus is on our MD, but now we see each other, we share so much more with each other! We, like every choir want to return to singing together. We miss the harmonies, the sound of our collective voices and we music the sound of music! One day soon!
Latest
Our Singing Community!
We have maintained a really good connection with all of our members and supporters over the past 4 months and we want to thank everyone who has worked hard to keep us together, that has sent positive messages and has kept us singing!
We can’t meet yet and maybe the new normal will take some getting used to, but like all of our singing friends throughout the choral world we will be there for each other when we find our voice again!
Watch out for an announcement about an exciting fundraising project we have planned!
Two firsts in one week!
As we entered our 15th week of lockdown we were delighted to be inspired,humbled and encouraged this week when we welcomed composer Howard Goodall to our Tuesday rehearsal. In May we held intensive rehearsals and released the first male voice choir virtual recording of his piece ‘Loving Kindness;, written specially for Aled Jones. It was a joy to speak to him and hear how he went about composition. Thank you Howard, from a very inspired choir!
….and if that wasn’t enough we had our very own name check from Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney on Wednesday when he asked the Prime Minister when he could attend a HMVC concert again. We like many other choirs have been forced to rehearse and connect in isolation, so it was refreshing to hear someone stand up for us, as well as the many other arts organisations that are struggling. Thank you Jason, for your support.
Lockdown Blog
It has been a while since we have posted but we have been busy during our enforced period at home, so each week we will try and bring you a little bit of Honley magic to let you know what we have been up to!
What singing means to us!
A GROUP OF MEN THAT CAN INSPIRE
WHOSE NAME IS HONLEY MALE VOICE CHOIR
EXTEND TO YOU A WELCOME HAND
TO COME AND JOIN OUR FRIENDLY BAND
THE MERRY MEN WHO SING IN PART
WILL WARM THE COCKLES OF YOUR HEART
WHO PRACTICE HARD FOR EVERY WORD
IN LANGUAGES YOU’VE SELDOM HEARD
THE AUDIENCE APPLAUD OUR VOICE
THEY SING ALONG AND OFT REJOICE
THE CHOIR RECEIVES MUCH FULSOME PRAISE
A REWARD THAT MAKES FOR HAPPY DAYS
EVEN IF SINGING IS SOMETHING NEW
DON’T BE AFRAID WE’LL HELP YOU THROUGH
COME AND HEAR US AND THEN TAKE PART
WE HOPE YOU’LL TAKE US TO YOUR HEART
Winner HMVC Wine Tasting
Worthy Winner of this years Wine Tasting evening was Barbara Lewis, self confessed ‘Prosecco Queen’. Barbara came in with 5 correct answers to the wine selections and a tie breaker score of 17 in the quiz.
HMVC wine tasting is run by choir member Chris Rogers along the lines of “Would I Lie To You!” whereby a panel of ‘Wine Experts’ read a hilarious description of the wine of which only one is correct. Participants must discern this for each of the six wines. Of course the descriptions are made to be very difficult to read by our volunteer experts, and are hard to pronounce when a few wines have been imbibed, especially with a few risqué statements and double-entendres thrown in!
This evening panelists were Roger Wild, (Chairman), Denise Winterbottom (Ladies Chairwoman) and Graham Smith (Secretary) and all were good sports dressing up in berets and aprons and trying dubious accents like an episode of “‘Allo, ‘Allo”.
Also there was a table picture quiz to help separate the scores. Nibbles and soft drinks supplied by The Ladies Group and Roast Beef Sandwiches supplied by Mary Rogers. The evening was hosted and compered by Chris Rogers.
Thanks to all who took part and had a great evening. With limited tickets you don’t want to miss the next one next year!
A Musical Celebration
On Saturday 20th May the combined forces of Honley Male Voice Choir, Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Lindley Junior School Choir raised the rooftops at Huddersfield Town Hall in aid of the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The concert organised by Brian Winterbottom celebrated his 50 years with the choir…..and in his own words it has been “a truly amazing journey!” Today, Brian and his wife Denise and choir Chairman Roger Wild were able to present a cheque to the hospice for am amazing £10,065! Well done to Brian and everyone who sponsored, supported, attended and performed!
Nicholas McCarthy!
We shall be promoting our next concert at the Kingsgate Centre, Huddersfield between 10.30 and 14.30 on Sunday 27th August 2017! So if you want to find out a little more about us – Honley Male Voice Choir or our Special Guest – Nicholas McCarthy – why not come along and have a chat with us!
