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Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye
We are excited to announce that the Clydebank Male Voice Choir, based in Room 1 of the Dalmuir Community Centre in Dalmuir, Clydebank, will commence their rehearsals for the upcoming session on Tuesday 10th September 2024 at 1.30 pm.
We will warmly welcome any new members who wish to come and join us. We are looking for singers in all four sections: First and Second Tenors, Baritones, and Basses. Come along and experience the joy of singing with us. Our choir has seen a gradual decline in numbers over the years, so we are always eager to welcome fresh voices. You don’t need to read music; just the ability to keep in tune is all that’s required. The friendly rivalry between sections adds to the fun, making our rehearsals light-hearted and enjoyable. There is an annual subscription fee, and we also hold a weekly raffle to support the choir’s funds.
If you visit our website at https://clydebankmvc.com, you’ll see that we are also in search of a new Musical Director or Accompanist. Our rehearsals take place in the afternoon, which may not suit those in full-time employment. However, if you are retired or work part-time and want to see what it’s all about, we invite you to come along and get involved. You will be made to feel very welcome at any rehearsal.
We would also like to reach out to any organisation secretaries looking for entertainment for their groups. We can provide both short and full concerts lasting up to 90 minutes. We have also performed many concerts in various care homes throughout West Central Scotland. If you are interested in booking the Choir or simply wish to make an enquiry, please visit our website at https://Clydebankmvc.com/bookus/ and fill in your details. Our Concert Secretary, Fraser Gillespie, will be delighted to respond to you.
Lastly, if you are reading this on Facebook or X, we kindly ask you to like and share this post so we can reach as many people as possible. Thank you.
Goodbye Ken McFadyen
It is with much sadness that we have to report the passing of another past member of the choir. Ken McFadyen was a member of the Second Tenors and joined the choir in 2002. He only left the choir after the 2022-2023 season. He always had a cheery look to his face and was always happy. Unfortunately, in the latter years, he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease which led to him constantly not being able to find his music in his folder. Fortunately he was ably assisted by Ian Thomson, who, with much patience, was always trying to sort out his music. I think Ken enjoyed the camerarderie and still enjoyed singing right up to when he stepped down from the choir.
Ken had just passed his 90th birthday, by 5 days, when he passed away on 25th June 2024.
As is normal, a contigent of the choir attended his funeral at the Hurlet Crematorium on Monday 8th July 2024. 7 members of the choir, plus Aileen Barnett and a past member, Paul Kane. Well done to all who attended. I am sure the family appreciated it.
Farewell Jim Buchanan
On Friday 15th March 2024, Jim Buchanan passed away. Jim was a member of the choir from 1988 till his retirement on 2016. A phenomenal length of service of 28 years! Aileen Barnett and several members of the choir (past and present – nice to see you Paul Kane) attended his funeral at the Glasgow Crematorium on Thursday 28th March 2024. The chapel was very full giving you an indication as to how popular Jim was.
Following the service his son Roddy sent us the following message “Sincere thanks to all the choristers who attended Jim Buchanan’s funeral yesterday, it made a big impact on our family, such a respectful gesture from the choir, thank you.” Our own thanks to all who attended.
Help, Welcome and Upcoming
Help, Welcome and Upcoming. Well that is a bit of a strange title, I have to admit but it basically covers this post.
1st – Help
The Choir is looking for a new Musical Director and/or an accompanist. Due to ill health our accompanist had to leave the choir and our Musical Director is having to do 2 jobs. She has expressed a willingness to becoming our accompanist if we can get a new Musical Director. Can you, or anyone you know, help us out here either as a Musical Director or accompanist? If so please use the Contact Us page to get in touch with the choir. As I am sure you would agree this is an extremely important role for the choir in going forward. We have been searching for someone for quite a while now and if you know of anyone who has the ability, time and talent to assist us then please make them aware of the choir needs.
2nd – Welcome
As I am sure you are aware we are always on the lookout for new members. The total numbers in the choir have been steadily falling over the years. When I first joined the choir back in the late 90’s there were nearly 50 members. Unfortunately it is now down to less than 20. Unfortunately we are not the only organisation that is suffering in this way. So, it is with great pleasure that we would like to welcome, not one, but two new members to the choir. They are:
Willie Primrose who has joined the Second Tenor section and
James McGrouther who has joined the Bass section.
I do hope I have managed to spell the names correctly. If not, then I am sure they will correct me.
We can’t have scared them off as they have returned over several weeks and seem to be enjoying themselves. It is always difficult for new members trying to catch up with the current repertoire but I am sure they will succeed. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in joining the choir then please get in touch with us via the Join Us page on this web site. Click the highlighted link to go to the Join Us page fill in your details and send it to us. Someone will then be in touch with you in a short while.
3rd – Upcoming
The final item is news of a couple of outings for the choir. The first is one that we have regularly performed. It is on the 12th December 2023 at the Springvale Care Home, 9 Main St, Lennoxtown, Glasgow G66 7HA. It is a short afternoon performance for the members of the care home.
The second is a free performance in the Clydebank Shopping Centre on Saturday 16th December 2023. It will last approx. 1 hour starting at around 2.00 pm and will be in aid of choir funds. The program is a varied one covering Scottish songs, Christmas Carols from around the world and, of course, traditional Christmas Carols. Come along and get into the spirit of Christmas.
Thank you for your attention. If you are reading this via Facebook or X then can we ask you to like and share this page. It is important that we can reach out to as many people as possible. Your help is much appreciated.
YouTube Channel
Well, the Choir now has a YouTube Channel where the 5 videos we have of the Choir can be found. Not that you will need to go looking for it because all of the videos can be accessed via a new menu option on the home page. Imaginatively called “Videos”. If you hover your pointer over this you will see the names of the 5 videos we have involving the Choir.
Importantly though, we have the video of the Joint Concert that the Choir recently undertook with the Renfrew Ladies Choir. This is the full concert and lasts approx. 90 minutes. It is the first time that we have ever been able to get a recording of a full concert. Many thanks to St. Paul’s Church in Johnstone for recording this for us and allowing us to use their video.
The current session for the choir has now finished and we will be resuming from the first Tuesday in September which is the 5th September. We already have a booking for November and a potential 2 more awaiting confirmation. If you, or anyone you know, belong to a fund raising organisation and would like to arrange a concert by the Choir to raise some funds then please do not hesitate to contact us. Mind you, it does not have to be fund raising, we are quite happy to just do a concert for you. We do concerts for Care Homes, Women’s Guilds, Social Committees, Church Organisations etc. We can do evening or afternoon concerts to suit your needs. You can request a concert via this link which will take you to the appropriate web page. Just complete the form with your details and we will get back to you.
Can we take this opportunity to thank all the audiences who have attended the 7 concerts over the last year. We hope you enjoyed them and would like to see us back at some time. We will be more than happy to revisit you.
If you are reading this via social media can we please ask you to like and share this post. It is important that we get our message to as many folk as possible. Thank you.
Situation Vacant
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Choir finds itself in a position without a Musical Accompanist. Sandra Lees, our long standing and much appreciated accompanist, has had to leave the Choir and so our Musical Director, Aileen Barnett, finds herself in the unenviable position of having to cover both duties, which does make life a little awkward for both herself and the choir.
So the Choir is now looking for a new accompanist to join us. The position does have a small remuneration and will require a commitment to attend rehearsals and concerts. The rehearsals take place from 1.30 pm till 3.30 pm (approx.) on a Tuesday afternoon at Room 1, Dalmuir Community Centre, Duntocher Rd, Clydebank G81 4RQ between September to April, with a break over Christmas/New Year. Concerts days can vary, some are in the afternoon but most take place in the evening commencing at approx. 7.30 till 9.30 pm.
If you are possibly interested in joining the Choir then please contact us through the Contact Us page. Click on the blue link to be taken directly to the Contact Us page and kindly let us have your details. This form goes to our President, Tom McRae, and our Secretary, Fraser Gillespie and your details will also be passed on to Aileen Barnett, our Musical Director. One of these persons will get in touch with you to discuss the matter further. If you could let us know your name, a contact number/email address and a brief resumé of your skills and experience, that would be much appreciated. Alternatively, you could pop along to a rehearsal to see what the Choir are like and what is involved. You will be made more than welcome. The ability to sight read will be a great asset in filling this position.
If you are reading this post on Facebook or Twitter could we please ask you to like and share so we can reach as many potential applicants as possible. Thank you.
Some dates for your diary
Some dates for your diary. It may have been a slow start to the year for the choir, but things are picking up nicely. We have 3 concerts booked for the coming weeks. They are:
Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at the Renfrew North Church in Renfrew. It is in the afternoon from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm and is an afternoon tea meeting by the “Forget-Me-Not Cafe” for people with dementia. The format will be a short concert by the choir followed by a break and then the choir will lead a good old fashioned ‘sing-along’ which we are sure will be enjoyed by all. If you would like to come along and enjoy the afternoon then please do so, you do not have to have dementia to attend, I’m sure.
On Friday 10th March 2023 we have a full concert starting at 7.30 pm at the Strathblane Parish Church, Campsie Rd, Glen Road, Strathblane, Glasgow G63 9AA.
This is followed on Friday 24th March 2023 at 7.30 pm with a joint concert between the Clydebank Male Voice Choir and the Renfrew Ladies Choir and will be held in St. Pauls Church, 25 Quarrelton Rd, Johnstone PA5 8NH. This concert will also take the place of our Annual Concert for this year. So make sure not to miss it. Ticket details etc. will be advised in due course.
Can I just mention that if you are a social organiser for your church or social organisation looking for a fund raising event and would like to arrange a concert by the choir then please do not hesitate to contact us via our web site. If you click on this link you will be taken to the appropriate page on our web site. Remember we have plenty of spaces, at the moment, for concerts in the next session of September to December 2023 or January to April 2024. It is never too early to book a concert and it will guarantee that you should be able to get the dates you want.
We also have sung at weddings, business lunches and other events as well as providing afternoon entertainment for many care homes in the West of Scotland.
Finally, if you are reading this via Facebook or Twitter, can we ask you to like and share this post so we can reach as large an audience as possible. Thank you.
Would You Like a Free Concert?
Would You Like a Free Concert? Well, it’s not really a concert but the Clydebank Male Voice Choir will be performing in the Clydebank Shopping Centre on Saturday 17th December 2022 from 1.00pm till 2.00pm. We will be located in Sylvania Way South, and, if you know Clydebank Shopping Centre, that is one of the main thoroughfares into the Centre.
We sang in this location last Christmas and the people passing were very generous in their donations. We just hope it will not be quite so cold as it was then, however it will be December in the Central Belt of Scotland so we wouldn’t hold our breaths.
We will be performing a mixture of traditional Christmas songs as well as others from around the world. If you are anything like the author here, it will take weeks to get Feliz Navidad out of your head.
We look forward to seeing you all and to help you get into the festive cheer.
If you are reading this on social media can we ask that you like and share so we can get the message out to as many folk as possible. Thank you.
At Last Our first Full Concert
At last, after 2 years, we are finally getting to perform a full concert. As it turns out, this is a concert that was originally scheduled for the 13th October 2020 and is now going ahead, just under 2 years late (not our fault, blame the pandemic !!) on Tuesday, 11th October 2022.
It will take place at St Francis in the East Church, 26 Queen Mary St, Glasgow G40 3BB commencing at 7.00pm and taking the normal concert format of approx. 90 minutes of choir pieces and individual/group pieces to break things up.
We look forward to finally singing for an audience. Whilst we enjoy rehearsing, you cannot beat performing live in front of an audience. See you there.
Start of a New Year
Well summer will soon be over and it is nearly time to start our new session. So, calling all existing and any new members that would like to join us.
The choir will be starting rehearsals on Tuesday the 6th September, 2022 at 1.30 pm in the Dalmuir Community Centre, as usual.
For any new members the location’s full address is Room 1, Dalmuir Community Centre, Duntocher Rd, Clydebank G81 4RQ.
As always, any new members will be made very welcome, so if you are interested in joining the choir, please come along and see for yourself just how enjoyable it is. The banter is worth it alone but the joy of singing as a choir lifts the spirits and make you feel so much better.
So, as the song goes, “Come and Join us, Come and Join us, Come and Join our family”. And how many of you actually sang those words in your mind!! I know I did as I was typing them…..
We look forward to seeing you all then.
William Barr
You may be interested to know that William Barr is retiring as conductor of the Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice Choir. He is well known to us through his conducting of massed choir performances for such events as the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the live BBC Concert from Stirling a couple of years earlier.
His farewell concert is on Saturday the 28th of May, in the new auditorium of the Royal Concert Hall, at 7.15 pm. Should you wish to attend, tickets are available from the concert website, priced £15.00 and available via this link.
https://tickets.glasgowconcerthalls.com/27535/27536
May we wish Bill and the Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice Choir all the best for the future.
Head Music – A Benefit Concert for Mind
We have been contacted, via our web site, by Sonia Yardley on behalf of Head Music – A Benefit Concert for Mind feat. the Southampton University Jazz & Concert Bands being held at 79 Hyndland Road, Glasgow, G12 9JE.
She requested we help ‘spread the word’ about the concert, so here is her request in full.
“Please can you help us to spread word amongst your members and supporters about a concert taking place at Kingsborough Gardens Sanctuary, Broomhill Hyndland Parish on Saturday 26th March 2022, at 7pm
Proceeds from the concert, performed by Southampton University Concert & Jazz bands will go to charity Mind. Tickets are just £5.00
University students and music performances have been greatly affected by the pandemic. It is more important that ever to support live music and mental health issues. If you can attend, then we thank you in advance for your support.
Please support this concert on facebook by liking the page or sharing it: https://www.facebook.com/
If you are interested in attending the concert then please visit one of the above web pages for more information. We wish them all the best in their efforts. The picture above is of Broomhill Hyndland Parish Church.
If you are reading this on our Facebook or Twitter pages then please follow, like and share this post. Click the highlighted links to be taken to our pages. Many thanks.
We made the national papers
On Tuesday 22nd February 2022 we had another visitor. This time it was from a freelance photographer, James Chapelard, who was working on behalf of the Scottish Daily Mail.
The paper published a short article on the 24th February 2022 and we have scanned it and show it below.
James very kindly sent us copies of some of the other photos he took and these have been added to the Photos menu item. You can go directly to the photo gallery using this link. There are 23 in total. Looking at them I would say that he felt Sam Monaghan was the most photogenic, well he appeared in a lot of the photos <grin>.
We made the local Press
Following on from the visit by the BBC and the subsequent item broadcast on Reporting Scotland, we have been contacted by several organisations, one of whom was a reporter from the Clydebank Post. He had an extensive chat with our President Tom McRae and his article appeared in the Clydebank Post dated February 16th, 2022.
Of course, we purchased a few copies of the paper and we have scanned the article and reproduce it below.
As seen on the BBC – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Well we had some visitors at our rehearsal on Tuesday 8th February 2022. They were from the BBC. Their reporter Aileen Clarke and a cameraman came to visit to record a piece on Choirs coming out of lockdown and what it means to them.
Aileen spent approx. 45 minutes with us recording as we were rehearsing for our mini concert at the Springvale Care Home in Lennoxtown next Tuesday the 15th February.
The piece was broadcast on BBC Reporting Scotland on Wednesday the 9th of February. We have managed to record the item and modify it to show just the Male Voice Choir section.
Whilst about 6 songs were recorded the 2 they selected to broadcast sections of were “Always on my mind” and “Hallelujah”. It appears that both Aileen Clark and Aileen Barnett like Elvis!
Watch the video below and enjoy.
If any of the gents reading/watching this were in any doubt about the camaraderie, the fun and the joy of singing then you can clearly see it in this video. Come along and join us. If you are interested then click on this link which will take you to the Join Us page. Fill in the form and send it to us. You will be welcomed.
With the gradual easing of restrictions we are also looking for new concerts. If you are a secretary or events organiser of any organisation and would like to book a full concert by the choir then please contact our Concert Secretary Fraser Gillespie via this page.
If you are reading this via Facebook then please Like and Share. The more people we can reach the better. Many thanks.
Thank You to the People of Clydebank – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Thank you to the people of Clydebank. As mentioned in earlier posts, we performed at the Clydebank Shopping Centre just before Christmas. We sang for just over the hour with a broad selection of Christmas songs from all over the world.
We were located in Sylvania Way South and, if you know Clydebank Shopping Centre, that is one of the main thoroughfares into the Centre. The passing folk were very generous, with many stopping for a while to listen to us singing. As you can see from the photograph, we were all decked out with Santa hats. We’re not sure what some of the children thought of the spectacle but it was fun.
We were collecting for Choir funds as we have not been able to perform full concerts since the pandemic began and, unfortunately like many businesses, we still have ongoing costs to cover. The generosity of everyone will certainly help the choir to ‘keep going’ in these stressful times. Thank you all again.
As always, we are on the lookout for new members. If you saw us perform at any venue and thought that you could ‘do that’, then please come along to our rehearsals. They take place at the Dalmuir Community Centre, Duntocher Rd, Clydebank G81 4RQ on a Tuesday afternoon between 1.30 and 3.30 pm. It is great fun and you would be made more than welcome. We have 4 sections, 1st Tenor, 2nd Tenor, Baritone and Bass. Not sure where you would fit in? Don’t worry, our musical director Aileen Barnett will be able to assist you. Also, it is not a requirement to be able to read music. If you can remember your section’s ‘tune’ then you will get along fine. We do use music to help prompt us whilst we are singing but the majority of the choir cannot actually ‘read’ it. Mind you, if you can read it, then that will help.
By the way, if you are a secretary of an organisation looking for entertainment then please consider booking the choir. It is a wide and varied program and the concert generally lasts about 90 minutes. You can contact us via the ‘Book Your Concert’ button on the Home page of our website https://clydebankmvc.com
Finally, if you are reading this on social media i.e. Facebook or Twitter, then please like and share. The more likes and shares we get the bigger the ‘audience’ and the more we become known in the area.
Back Performing Again – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Well we are finally performing again. In December we sang at a wedding at the Dalmeny Park Hotel in Barrhead. It was to welcome in the guests to the reception. We were outside and it was cold…. However we enjoyed ourselves as our first ‘performance’ since the restart.
We have were also invited to sing at a Care Home. We have a third session that YOU can come and enjoy.
We are performing at the Clydebank Shopping Centre on Saturday 18th December at 12 noon for approx. 1 hour. We will be in Sylvania Way South. Of course we will try and maintain social distancing and we are all double vaccinated and boosted.
It is our Christmas selection of music, so come along and enjoy. Help make it feel a bit more ‘Christmassy’ and listen to our Christmas songs from all over the world.
If you are a male and would like to join us then please see the ‘Join Us’ page on our website. Click the link to go to that page.
A collection will be made to help support the choir to keep it going in these difficult times.
The picture is from a similar performance in the Clydebank Shopping Centre from a couple of years back.
If you are reading this on Facebook then please like and share so we can spread the word that we are available again for concerts etc.
Double Celebration for Jim Aitkin – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Rehearsal Times – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Rehearsal Times they are a changin’ as Bob Dylan didn’t sing. Yes the rehearsal times for the choir are changing to 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm on a Tuesday afternoon commencing on Tuesday 16th November 2021. Everything else about the rehearsal remains unchanged. It is just the times.
Will all members make a note of this and try not to turn up on Tuesday evening. You may find yourself a bit lonely. I understand that Fraser will be emailing all members so they are aware of the change.
If you are contemplating joining the choir then please also note the change. You will still be more than welcome. We are looking particularly for Baritones and Basses but would embrace any new member whatever section you can sing in. Remember you do not have to be able to read music, just hold a tune.
If you are reading this on Facebook, please like and share this post as it all helps spread the word out into the community. Thanks.
We Are Back – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
Yes, we are finally back rehearsing. We all met up last Tuesday in the Dalmuir Community Centre. We had some good news and some not so good news.
The good news, the vast majority of the choir turned up and we started rehearsing with the song “Gonna Rise Up Singing”. I think it was a very appropriate one to start with. Personally, I didn’t remember all the little bits and pieces (and I wasn’t the only one!!) but, it has been 18 months since we were together.
The not so good news was that a several members have advised that they will not be returning. This unfortunately included our accompanist Sandra Lees. We shall miss you Sandra. I believe you have been with the choir since 2011. That is a long time to dedicate yourself to the choir with all the rehearsals and concerts you must have attended. Your help and patience was much appreciated.
Of course, that means we are looking for a new accompanist to join the choir. If you, or anyone you know, enjoys playing and feel up to the task then please contact our Secretary, Fraser Gillespie, via Facebook or alternatively though the Contact Us page on our website, click the link here to be taken to the page. The choir meets every Tuesday between 7.30 and 9.30 although we tend to start gathering between 7.00 and 7.30 pm. In addition we normally have regular concerts throughout the season (which normally lasts from September to April with a break in December for Christmas). We meet in Room 1 at the Dalmuir Community Centre, Duntocher Road, Clydebank, G81 4RQ. It is a challenge but there is a remuneration for your efforts.
At the moment Aileen is playing the piano and Paul Kane from the 1st tenor section conducted.
With a few members not returning, we are very short in the Baritone and Bass sections. In fact we only had 2 in each section on Tuesday, although some people were on holiday and some have agreed to move from the 2nd Tenors to the Baritones. Can we appeal to any guys out there that are thinking of joining us to get in touch via the Join Us page or just come along on Tuesday evening. The location details and times are above. We really could do with your help. It’s good fun and the banter is a good laugh. Mind you we would be happy to welcome any new members to the Tenor sections as well. It is not exclusively for the Bass and Baritones.
If you are reading this via our Facebook page please like and share. The greater audience we can reach the better chance we have of finding new members and an accompanist. Thanks.
We’ll Be BACK – Clydebank Male Voice Choir.
We’ll soon be BACK – Clydebank Male Voice Choir.
It looks like we can finally start rehearsals again, without having to wear masks. We will have to maintain social distancing of 1m, which is not a problem in our rehearsal room. So, from the first Tuesday in October we will be back meeting up on Tuesday nights for rehearsals. Usual time of 7.30 pm.
That’s the good news. The not so good news, at least for the choir, is that the stalwart of the Baritone section is having to resign as he is moving to the East coast for his work. Jack Adair has been a member of the Baritones since 2013 and his voice has provided many a beautiful solo in numerous songs as well as solo performances at concerts. Your contributions will be missed Jack, but we wish you all the best in your career. Maybe our loss is another choir’s gain. Don’t give up singing Jack, you have too good a voice to waste it.
So we need some replacements for those that are unable to return to the choir. Once again we appeal for any male singers who would like to join the choir to come along on a Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm. We meet in Room 1 in the Dalmuir Community Centre, Dalmuir, Clydebank. You will be made more than welcome and it is great fun. Check out this page and fill in the form to let us know you are coming. It is not a requirement to be able to read music, just to be able to hold a ‘tune’. Not sure what section to join? Don’t worry our Musical Director Aileen Barnett will be able to point you in the right direction.
Remember we are starting on Tuesday 5th October 2021.
Finally, to all the social secretaries of the many organisations that have ‘booked’ the choir for concerts in the past, please note that we will soon be “back in business” to perform another concert for you. So if you are starting to plan your calendars for next year, and would like to contact us to arrange something, then please click on this link to go to our Booking Form and fill in your details. Our Concert Secretary (Fraser Gillespie) will get back to you as soon as he can.
If you are reading this on our Facebook page, please like and share. Many thanks.
So near, yet so far – Clydebank Male Voice Choir
So Near, Yet So Far. I think that sums the current situation up for the Clydebank Male Voice Choir.
IIt really comes down to the Government advise regarding the wearing of masks when in a group of people inside a room. It really is not practical to sing whilst wearing masks. Especially for 2 hours. I find it bad enough wearing a mask whilst doing the weekly shop in our local supermarket. I’m sure all the members feel the same.
One good thing is we are nearly all double jagged. I don’t know if our youngest member has been jagged yet but I would hope so.
We have only lost one member to Covid-19, that I am aware of, and long may that be the case. Pat Robinson left the Bass section in the early days of the pandemic when little was available by way of treatments/vaccines etc. We will miss you Pat.
I would also mention that if there are any men wishing to Join the Choir then please contact us via the Join Us screen. Click on this link to be taken to that page. Come join us, one and all. You will be welcomed with open arms. Don’t be frightened, we are a friendly bunch.
Finally, it is my hope that all the previous members of the choir will return when we do, eventually, get back together. We will see in October.
We hope you are all well and coping with the current situation.
If you are reading this on our Facebook page, please like and share. Many thanks.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Well it’s that time of year again. And what a year it has been, or hasn’t, dependent upon your point of view, I suppose. :}
In many ways it feels like we are back to last March when things started off and everything was cancelled. The choir has not met since then and there does not appear to be much on the horizon. HOWEVER, there is now a vaccine and it has started to be rolled out. Because of the ages of the majority of the members we should be able to get the vaccine in the coming months. We may not be able to get going again this season (personal opinion not committee instructions <grin>). I feel it will take quite a few months to build up the population immunity to the point where we can a) rehearse and b) have an audience that can sit together to enjoy (hopefully) our performance.
I have missed the choir, as I’m sure we all have, but the choir will live on. I was wondering what to do to at least let you all hear a Male Voice Choir and managed to find a choir singing the carol that was voted the most popular by the public on the BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’. It is ‘O Holy Night’ and this version was sung by the Featherstone Male Voice Choir in December 2018. The performance was in the Wakefield Cathedral. Looking at their website they are a choir very similar to our own.
I would like to thank everyone that has supported the choir in the past and look forward to us being able to entertain you again. So please have a Happy (and safe) Christmas and New Year. Keep going guys, remember the sweetie tin is still waiting…….
Thank you.
If you are reading this on facebook, please like and share this post so we can keep the contact going.
New Website Layout
The things you get up to during lock down! Well, when I realised just how long we had been using the old web site design (2017) I thought that it could do with a refresh.
So, as a result, I started working on a completely new look. It is a lot more modern and clean looking. It has taken me a couple of months working on and off with it and I hope you like it. Scroll down the home page for a lot more content. There is also a lot more content via the menus at the top of the page. I will be adding more photographs that were on the old site over the coming period.
The above picture is a screen shot of the first section you see.
Please feel free to look around and try things out. If it breaks or you have an idea to add something else or even just to let me know what you think of the new design, then please use the “Contact Us” page to send me a message and I will look into it. Any feedback will be much appreciated. I still have access to the old website although it is not available to the general public.
The layout should work on mobile phones and tablets, although I am still working on that aspect of it, so please be patient with me!
If you are seeing this on facebook then please like and share. Thanks.
Sorry but we have had to cancel all Rehearsals/Concerts till January 2021
Sorry, the committee has taken the very difficult decision to cancel all Rehearsals/Concerts up to January 2021. The situation with Covid-19, the unlikely chance we will get the hall lets for rehearsal and the underlying health conditions of the choir members has led us to this decision.
It was a difficult decision to make but we feel the right one. Other Male Voice Choirs in the region have also taken similar actions.
This means that the concert we had arranged for St Francis in the East Parish Church on 13th October will need to be rearranged, hopefully for next year. Our apologies to them but, given the current restrictions of singing and numbers allowed in Churches, it is unlikely that we would be permitted to hold it.
The Committee will review the decision in December 2020 and contact all members at that time. Once again, our apologies.
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No Rehearsals for the time being
Unfortunately, with the current restrictions for Covid-19 still in place, the Committee do not feel it will be possible for us to commence rehearsals on Tuesday 1st September. Until the current restrictions are lifted we do not consider that we will be able to gather safely especially with the recent news about singing.
As soon as these restrictions are eased we will update the web site and contact all the members to arrange a start to the new session.
Sorry guys, you will have to continue doing without your weekly ‘fix’ of singing for a while yet. This may also affect the concert we have booked for St. Francis in the East Parish Church on the 13th October 2020.
Keep safe and well and we will get together as soon as we can.
The picture, by the way, is from a rehearsal in 2018.
Fingers Crossed
We have just received a booking from the Guild at the St. Francis in the East Parish Church, 24 Queen Mary Street, Bridgeton, G40 3BB for Tuesday 13th October 2020.
The concert is due to commence at our usual time of 7.30 pm. Let us hope that by the time this comes about the current restrictions for Covid-19 will have been eased to allow it to take place.
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Working Man – No More
It is with much sadness and regret that we have to advise of the passing of Pat Robinson today, 1st April 2020, as a result of contracting the coronavirus. Unfortunately, it is no joke.
Pat was a long serving member of the choir and was the Section Steward for the Bass section. He was renowned for a cheery disposition and his bag of throat sweets that came with him to every rehearsal and concert.
The reference to Working Man, is that it was one of the songs that he lead with a solo, followed by the Bass section and then the whole choir. In fact, in the last concert we did before the coronavirus outbreak, he performed that very song.
Whilst it is a bit of a cliché, it is true, he will be missed and it is very frustrating that the choir will not be able to give him the send off that he deserves.
Rest in Peace Pat.
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Concert Cancellation
It is with regret that we must advise the we have taken the decision to cancel the 2 remaining concerts for this session. These were at Bridgeton, St Francis in the East on Tuesday 14th April 2020 and our annual concert at the Waterfront Parish Church in Clydebank on the 24th April.
The reason being the current Covid-19 crisis and our ongoing concern for our members (the majority of which are over 70) and for our audiences. In light of the Government advice and the proposed self isolation for over 70’s or those with underlying health issues, we felt that we had little choice but to cancel. The choir itself will no longer meet for rehearsal on a Tuesday evening till the new session recommences on the first Tuesday in September.
Our apologies for this but we are sure you will agree that the health and well being of our members and the public comes first.
Thank you.
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
On behalf of the choir I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Remember our first concert of the year will take place on Friday the 21st February 2020 at Sandyhills Parish Church, 28 Baillieston Road, Glasgow. We look forward to seeing you then.
The photograph was take at the Light Up a Life Concert that we did on behalf of the Prince & Princess of Wales Trust, which they very kindly gave us copies of. The full set can be seen on this page.
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Two chances to see us for free
We are performing 2 concerts in the coming week and it won’t cost you a penny!
On Saturday 7th December 2019 we will be performing some of our repertoire as well as some Christmas music at the Clydebank Shopping Centre between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm.
Also on Tuesday 10th December 2019 at approx 7.30 pm you will find us at intu Braehead shopping centre where we will be performing on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK.
This is the third time we have performed for them at this venue. They must like us as they keep asking us back!!
So if you have some free time in your hectic shopping schedule, why not pop along and enjoy the music.
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