19th July
Keighley All Saints
News items
This page includes recent and older news items that have appeared on the home page
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
WALES TOUR 2007


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.    
WATSON BARNES
1915-2006

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.
   
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
   
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".    
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.
   

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.
   

300 NOT OUT !

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!