In 2024 the Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir celebrated its 80th anniversary. The choir was formed in 1944 by the merging of the Rainworth Male Voice Choir (1926) and the Mansfield Orpheus Choir (1931).
Formerly a very successful competition choir winning first prizes on no less than 58 occasions at various regional and national competitions, the choir, in common with many male voice choirs, now performs a wide variety of music including popular songs, musical theatre numbers and male voice choir standards. The Choir performs locally and ‘away from home’ with male, female and mixed choirs, bands and orchestras and count among the highlights: singing with four Welsh choirs on a one-week Welsh tour, performances in No 10 Downing Street and concerts with The Band of the Royal Marines and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. On four occasions in the last 20 years, members were honoured to join the massed choir of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The most recent in 2023.
Ian Grice is the longest serving member of the choir with 40 years as chorister, committee member, Deputy MD and, since 2018, Musical Director. His extensive contacts and unending enthusiasm extend their reach and participation in wonderful concerts around the country. His sense of inclusion, welcome and care for all choristers encourages commitment and attracts new many new members. They are skillfully and sympathetically supported by Maureen Lockwood, the choir accompanist who has a wealth of experience and is a secure foundation of their choir family.
The choir is proud to support charities local to our area and their efforts have raised over £60,000 in the last 10 years. In their 75th year (2019) the Mayor of Mansfield conferred the Honorary Freedom of the District on the choir to add to the right, gained in 1966, to bear the Mansfield Coat of Arms on its uniform in recognition of its ambassadorial role in promoting the town.
What these cold facts cannot convey is the sheer pleasure they get from singing together and sharing this enthusiasm at their sell-out concerts with their audiences. Clearly evident is the sustained camaraderie and sense of family unity for those belonging to the choir. They love it and they hope you do too!
They rehearse every Tuesday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at St Augustine’s Church, Abbott Road, Mansfield NG19 6DD and a warm welcome awaits chaps who would like to join them. Go along, have a listen and give it a try. Many choristers say that they wish they had joined earlier.
Their first concert of 2025 is on Saturday 5th April at The Hill Methodist Church, Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 8JS and they will be joined by Mansfield Latvian “Novadi” Ladies Choir. Tickets cost £10.00 from Karen Grice on 01623 758242, Lynden Lowe on 07883 040806 or Eileen Lawrence on 01623 455373.
Find out more at www.mansfieldmvc.co.uk.