MARAZION APOLLO MALE VOICE CHOIR

Singing to please 1904 - 2006

Chairman: Alan Cargeeg Musical Director: Tim Hosken Secretary: Alun Howells Tel: (01736) 360618 Email: alunhowells@msn.com CHOIR PROGRAMME Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir practise on Mondays at 7.30 pm in the Marazion Town Hall (under the Town clock). If you are interested in joining us you can either contact the Secretary, Alun Howells, or simply come along and sit in on a practice to see for yourself. You will be given a warm welcome. Speak with one of the members and find out about joining. New members will find: a friendly atmosphere good fellowship singing for pleasure uniform provided training given About Us Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir, formed in 1904, is reputedly the oldest choir in Cornwall and has enjoyed many happy hours of music and fellowship since then. Two conductors, John Henry Trudgeon and then John J Matthews (a Cornish Bard for services to music) conducted the choir for over 70 years - a remarkable record. The choir has performed at the highest level. It took part in the Burma Star Reunion at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971 with Mrs Mills and the band of the Grenadier Guards and was invited back there with Vera Lyn in 1973. It has sung with many illustrious singers, including Alan Opie, Ivor Emmanuell and Harry Secombe and has gained over the years, substantial standing in the world of male voice singing. In 1979 the choir embarked on its first overseas tour, visiting the USA, based in Philadelphia. This was a 'never to be forgotten' and most enjoyable visit. The choir has also sung at the UNESCO Headquarters and the American Church in Paris. We participated in the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen with major success and competed at Pontrhy dfendigaid, winning on the Welsh doorstep - truly feathers in the choir's cap. Another notable event where the choir excelled itself, was in York, competing in the North of England Male Voice Choir Competition. We were awarded first prize, beating many choirs of national standing. The choir has been under the baton of Sheila Farmer, an accomplished musician, with whom we achieved success at the Bournemouth Musical Festival in 1997. In 1999 Joan Williams became the choir's Musical Director and did outstanding work introducing new pieces, making a fine team with accompanist, Niger Dower, who is without doubt one of the finest pianists and organists in Cornwall. In 2001 Richard Braebrook became Musical Director, coming to us with a very strong musical background. The choir has a Development Programme, aptly entitled 'Apollo 2000' and the object of this is to recruit new singers and extend the choir's appeal to new audiences, using a wider range of venues, more varied repertoire and the employment of professional guest artists in high prestige concerts. This Project aims also to involve young musicians in the concert programme and to provide professional choir and conductor training. In 2003 Tim Hosken became our Musical Director. Tim is well known locally, having been Deputy Conductor of Mousehole Male Voice Choir, Musical Director for St Ives Operative Society and is Musical Director for Penzance Choral Society. RECORDINGS. CDs are available at £10 each; titles shown below: Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir - Let There Be Music. This CD celebrates 100 years of song with St Michael's School Choir. To purchase, contact Michael Prout (01209) 831526. The Five Male Voice Choirs of Penwith. Concert recorded at St Just Methodist Church, with guest Soloist Peter Ferris. To purchase, contact Tim Hosken (01736) 788713.