IRELAND
TOUR 2008
SMVC in Killarney St Mary's |
July 2008:
Thanks to Len's organisational skills, Alan's musical leadership
and the great welcome we received from the folk in Ireland,
the trip was every bit the success we hoped. We will have many
and varied memories but I am sure we will all remember such
highlights as: the boozy afterglow with Dublin Welsh, our recital
in the splendour of Killarney Cathedral, and in particular the
wonderful concert we had with the inspiring Kerry Choral Union.
Our joint performance of the Battle Hymn was something very
special. |
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| IRELAND
TOUR PREPARATIONS |
June 2008:
The choir is looking forward to our imminent tour of Ireland.
Our first concert will be in the village of Kill with the Dublin
Welsh MVC on Sunday 29th June. Click
for further details |
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CENTENARY CONCERT
26th April 2008 |
The Centenary Concert
in St George's Hall, Bradford was every bit the success we had
hoped. The combined choir of close to 200 made a terrific sound,
and created a real buzz in the audience of well over 1000. The
YBS band were terrific as well. Truly a night to remember. |
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FAREWELL TO
JOHN JONES
3rd March 2008
|
At our Monday night
rehearsal, we all said a deeply felt good-bye and best wishes
to John who is now leaving Yorkshire to live in Abergavenny
in his native Wales. John had been a member of SMVC for over
25 years and a former chairman. Most importantly, he was a good
friend and an important member of the bass section. John was
presented with a momento of his time with the choir and we sang
him good-bye with Gwahoddiad. Farewell John, our loss is south
Wales' gain. |
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CENTENARY PARTY
3rd Feb 2008
|
We were all agreed
that it was only right that there should be a celebration on
the actual 100th anniversary of the founding of the choir and
in Steeton itself. There was food, quizzes, a display, short
speeches and, yes, a few drinks. A cake specially made by members
of our Ladies Support Group (see left) was ceremonially cut
and, of course a few songs were sung. Technically we have sung
better, but rarely with such heart. Thanks to Noel for organising
and to all the staff at Steeton Hall. |
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| ANNUAL CONCERT
2007 |
The Annual Concert
was indeed the success we had hoped for. The EYMS
Brass Band were exceptional and hugely
well received. St Margaret's is always a favourite venue of
ours and was a fine substitute for the King's Hall. We had 70
men on stage which is an excellent sign that the choir is in
good health as it prepares for its Centenary next year. |
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| WALES
TOUR 2007
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June
2007: Our mini-tour of south Wales between the
8th and 11th June 2007 was without question a huge success.
2007 was one of the wettest summers anyone can remember but
we had glorious weather for the entire week-end. We will never
forget the reception we had from the packed crowd at the Congress
theatre in Cwmbran (a standing ovation no less) and it was wonderful
to listen again to the New Harmony singers who had invited us
down. The following concert in Caerphilly as the guests of Aber
Valley MVC was no less memorable - they are a superb choir and
we made a lot of new friends. However, the Caerphilly youths
who broke into our coach are not on our Christmas card list!
The tour finished with a lunchtime concert in the impressive
Millenniium Centre (see picture) on the waterfront of the spectacular
Cardiff bay. |
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WATSON
BARNES
1915-2006
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Sept
2006: There is huge sadness in the choir at the
loss of our dear friend Watson, and the choir were out in force
at his funeral at St John's Ingrow on Thursday 21st September
to sing him farewell with two of his favourite pieces. At the
service Len Wilson gave a fine tribute on behalf of the choir,
the sentiments of which we all whole-heartedly endorsed.
As we said last year on the occasion of his 90th birthday, there
was probably no one held in higher regard and affection than
Watson, whose superb bass voice (and wicked sense of humour)
had been a mainstay of the choir for half a century. |
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CHARITY
SING 2005
AT SKIPTON PARISH CHURCH
|
June
2005: We are holding what has now become our annual
Charity Sing at Skipton Holy Trinity (at the top of the High
Street - see picture). If previous years are a guide then this
should be a very enjoyable and worthwhile event. Drop in at
the church at any time between 11.00 and 3.00 pm on
Saturday 18th June and listen to Steeton MVC
and a number of other choirs and musical groups performing in
relays. Entrance is free but please give generously to support
this year's good cause:
The
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service |
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CD
RECORDING MAY 2005
|
May 2005:
There was quite a buzz following the two recording sessions
for our new CD, not only because it had been an enjoyable experience
(not all are!), but because the general feeling was that we'd
done something just a bit special this time. The recording took
place at St Margaret's in Ilkley on 6th & 7th May, a superb
acoustic and the venue for a number of previous recordings.
Alan Clark was as ever in charge of the music and John Rowley
of Reelsound was our recording engineer. Anne Mott accompanied
flawlessly as always and was also joined at the keyboard by
Peter Abberton on a couple of numbers. The CD will be out soon
and will be titled "Music
in the Aire". |
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A
HAPPY 90TH (AND 50TH) TO WATSON
|
May
2005: There was a double celebration on Sunday
1st May 2005, as many members of the choir came to visit Watson
Barnes on the occasion of his 90th birthday and also to present
him with an inscribed carriage clock to commemorate 50 years
as a member of Steeton Male Voice Choir. There is probably no
one held in higher regard and affection than Watson, whose superb
bass voice (and wicked sense of humour) have been a mainstay
of the choir for half a century.
Watson is pictured (centre) with his wife Dorothy, as he receives
his presentation from Alan Clark. |
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NEW CHAIRMAN |
At
the choir's AGM on Monday, 31 January 2005, we bade a sad farewell
to John Hirst (as Chairman only - not as a singer!) who has
been in office for the last three years. John paid tribute to
the choir and committee and read out a long list of the choir's
achievements during his time in office.
The choir then unanimously elected David Jenkins (pictured
left, with John on the right) as our new chairman. David thanked
the choir for their faith in him and hoped that he would be
able to continue John's good work, as the choir neared its centenary. |
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300 NOT OUT !
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Our concert
in Beverley in September marked two auspicious occasions for
our conductor and musical director Alan Clark. It marked his
(first) 10 years with Steeton MVC and also his 300th concert
with the choir. We are very lucky in having Alan as our MD and
conductor. Not only is his conducting technique phenomenal (none
of have been able to fathom how he manages to control all four
parts, control dynamics and keep time with just two arms) but
he has written the arrangements for some of the choir's most
popular pieces: "The Rose" and "Memory"
are just two amongst many.
Congratulations Alan. Here's to the next 10 years! |
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