Christmas Celebrtion Concert – 13th December 2014
Whitehaven Male Voice Choir and Conductor Peter Argyle are delighted to announce the show that has been awakening the wonderful spirit of Christmas in their audiences for many a year is back again and this season will be even more spectacular as their vocal harmonies will be enhanced by the beautiful sweeping instrumental accompaniment of Sethera Brass who are back by popular demand to join them on stage following their brilliant performance last year.
Sethera Brass, are a local group of brass instrumentalists named after the Cumbrian number six and founded by the choir’s former Musical Director; the late Hugh Robinson.
The concert takes place on Saturday 13th December in St James’ Church, Whitehaven commencing at 7:30pm. It will feature a selection of the choir’s varied repertoire, including many Christmas favourites, with the opportunity for audience participation in some well-known carols.
Choir accompaniment will be provided by Joan Johnston.
The annual Christmas Concert has been running since 1996, and has raised thousands of pounds for local charities. This year’s charity is ‘Give Us a Break 2010’ The charity formed by Dawn Raynor, wants to build a centre which will provide short break facilities for children such as her sons Callan & Ethan and their parents / carers. A haven where the children can be set free to literally do what they want. A large, comfortable, ranch-style home where disabled children can visit with their carers to pursue a number of activities in a safe and stimulating environment. Run, shout, sing, dance, climb, swim and splash without being shushed or stared at. Cook, paint, be creative, or be quiet, calm and relax, then spend the night in a comfortable bedroom specifically designed with their needs in mind but with the comfortable feel of their ‘own room’.
Tickets priced at £7 and (£6 concessions) are available from Don Messenger (Concert Secretary) on 01946 63452 or at the door.
Nominated Charity – 2014
Every year the Choir nominate a local charity to be the beneficiary of the Christmas Celebration Concert and fundraising sing in Whitehaven’s Tesco and Morrisons superstores and Workington’s Dunmail Park shopping centre.
The nominated charity for 2014 is ‘Give Us a Break 2010’
Conceived in 2010, Give Us A Break is the dream of a family that literally had nowhere to go.
Dawn & Peter Raynor are the doting parents of 3 very special children. The eldest is an articulate, intelligent and very caring brother to his younger, identical twin siblings, Callan & Ethan. Twins that suffer with Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes intractable epilepsy.
Where do you holiday when you have a ’16-year-old 6-year-old’ that needs constant care and attention? Where do you holiday when you have two of them? How do you give quality parental time to your eldest, when the twins so desperately need your constant vigilance? Where can you take your children where they will not be constrained by social etiquette and the misconceptions of others?
Give Us A Break 2010, the charity formed by Dawn, wants to build a centre which will provide short break facilities for children such as Callan & Ethan and their parents / carers. A haven where the children can be set free to literally do what they want. A large, comfortable, ranch-style home where disabled children can visit with their carers to pursue a number of activities in a safe and stimulating environment. Run, shout, sing, dance, climb, swim and splash without being shushed or stared at. Cook, paint, be creative, or be quiet, calm and relax, then spend the night in a comfortable bedroom specifically designed with their needs in mind but with the comfortable feel of their ‘own room’.
For more information on the charity visit: http://www.giveusabreak2010.org/
Scotland Trip – June 2014
In June 2014 the Choir along with partners, friends and guests, enjoyed five days at the beautiful setting of the Inversnaid Hotel on the shores of Scotland’s Loch Lomond, courtesy of Lochs and Glens Holidays. They enjoyed several day trips and two concerts, one at Kinlochard Village Hall along with the Trossachs Community Choir and also an afternoon concert in the amazing, acoustically brilliant setting of Stirling Castle Chapel. They were both honoured and privileged to perform there in front of visitors from all over the World.
Below is a video of ‘Amen’ sung in Stirling Castle chapel.
Feature on the Choir in Egremont 2Day – July 1st 2014
Whitehaven Male Voice Choir on Tour!
By Pam Argyle
The Choir performing at this year’s Annual Concert
Following a busy year of concerts for charity, private performances, intensive rehearsals and their acclaimed Annual Concert in St James’, the Male Voice Choir are off across the border to Bonnie Scotland. They will be joining with the Trossachs Community Choir at Kinlochard and also making a privileged appearance in the Chapel of Stirling Castle, singing to visitors.
Although originally formed in the 1900’s to raise funds during the miners lockout, the present Whitehaven Male Voice Choir, founded in June 1977, has established an enviable reputation in the musical world of male voices in Britain, along with appearances on local radio and television. During the choir’s existence, it has taken part in many musical festivals, and proved its quality by winning many first prizes. It has been joined in concert by world renowned soloists and choirs from Britain and America.
Every year the choir perform around twenty concerts throughout Cumbria, raising thousands of pounds for charitable organizations and other worthy causes. The services of the choir are provided entirely free of charge to the organisations for whom they perform. Each Christmas they sing to local shoppers, again raising considerable donations for their annual chosen charity.
The choir are keen to welcome new members to enable the male voice choir sound to continue in Whitehaven for years to come – the boys are always happy to greet anyone with a song in their heart! Musical Director, Peter Argyle can be contacted on 01946 825441 for a chat and an invitation to come along and test the water. After all, their greatest delight is to let their enthusiasm and love of singing overflow for the enjoyment of others.Further information can also be found on their website: www.wmvc.co.uk