MASSED CHOIR CONCERTS HELD AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 1983, 1988, 1994 and 2000 The first massed concert at the Royal Albert Hall, took place in 1983 - an event which culminated in the formation of the Federation. In 1988 some of Cornwall's renown international figures in the musical world sang at the Federation's concert in the Royal Albert Hall. Guest conductor was Sir David Willcocks and soloists were Ben Luxon and Rachel Hallawell. Goff Richards was composer of the night's finale and the compere for the evening was Richard Baker, well known radio and television personality. Rachel Hallawell and Ben Luxon C.B.E. Organising committee of the Federation's first massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall, 1988 In 1994 singers from 27 Cornish choirs took part under the musical direction of Edward Goldsmith, one of Cornwall's most respected and experienced conductors, and accompanied by David Briggs, formerly of Truro Cathedral, on the organ and Clive Ellison on the piano. The concert included three prize-winning compositions from the 1994 Composers Competition which were performed by a small ensemble under the direction of Harold Miller. Edward Goldsmith, organist and Sir David Willcocks, C.B.E., M.C., guest conductor at the Royal Albert Hall concert in 1988 In 2000 the massed choir concert's guest conductor was Dr Roy Wales whose reputation in choral music is internationally known. Roger Wills, musical director of the Holman-Climax Male Voice Choir, ably conducted many of the rehearsals in Cornwall. This concert also included guest artistes, the St Keverne Youth Band who were the National Youth Champions of Great Britain having also gained numerous awards for their music. In each of these events the singers from our Cornish choirs gave freely of their time and talents, travelling from all parts of the county free of expenses, to ensure that maximum financial assistance was given to the chosen charities in Cornwall. Funds raised on each occasion were a great achievement, the most recent in the year 2000 raising £20,000 for local Cornish charities. A true spirit of 'One and All'. See RECORDINGS for CDs containing live music from the 1994 and 2000 concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall. The Second British INTERNATIONAL MALE VOICE CHORAL FESTIVAL, 28 April - 2 May 2005 The International Festival of Male Voice Choirs began in the spring of 2003 and is held every two years. A number of the Federation's member choirs take part in this exciting event. See programmes for individual choirs. BOSCASTLE and DISTRICT FLOOD RELIEF CONCERT - 20 November 2004 In response to the disaster which occurred in the summer of 2004, many choirs put on individual or small group concerts in their area to raise funds to assist those who had suffered in the floods in North Cornwall, raising thousands of pounds between them. The Federation organised a group concert to raise funds for this cause, held at the Truro Methodist Church in November 2004. The concert was very successful and the audience delighted. The Concert Chairman was Ray Shaddick, Life Member of the Federation. Nick Hart was the Musical Director and Brian Mitchell and David Robinson, accompanists. VOICES FOR HOSPICES CONCERT - 4 October 2003 Held at the Hall for Cornwall, the Voices for Hospices Concert was a successful venture - a massed choir event with representatives from many Cornish choirs and their individual musical directors and accompanists. The concert was enjoyed by the highly appreciative audience, as well as by the participating members. The funds raised in aid of the Hospice exceeded £12,000. SONGS OF PRAISE 23 July 1992 Another memorable occasion took place in 1992, when the BBC invited the Federation to stage a Songs of Praise broadcast for television from Truro Cathedral, with the late Jill Dando as presenter. The venue was filled to capacity and still more wanted to come in. It was such a success that the BBC extended the transmission time. Correspondence received from enthusiastic participants and concert goers continued to flow in for some 9 months after the event.