Choir wants its voice to be heard in region
They make up one of the region's biggest boy bands with members ranging in age from 16 to 90. And now the 65-strong Kidderminster Male Voice Choir – is setting its sights on breaking into the Black Country.
They make up one of the region's biggest boy bands with members ranging in age from 16 to 90. And now the 65-strong Kidderminster Male Voice Choir – is setting its sights on breaking into the Black Country.
The choir has its roots in Victorian, church-based glee clubs but was officially founded with its present name in 1904.
The group sets a high standard, with aspiring members having to pass a voice test to show they can "hold a tune" as a bass, baritone or tenor, in front of the musical director, before being given the chance to wear the coveted red blazer that is their trademark.
"We've competed with – and beaten – some Welsh male voice choirs, although we're really a social choir rather than a competition one," said publicity officer Paul Booton, aged 71, of Hoo Road, Kidderminster, retired production manager at Brinton's Carpets.
"We've toured to Canada, Australia, Normandy and Ireland and, for our 100th anniversary, we performed a sell-out concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
"Our aim now is to widen our audiences locally – we'd like to break into Wolverhampton and the rest of the Black Country with more bookings there – and we are singing at a wedding in Gornal soon."
Fans of the choir include the comedian Roy Hudd, who is their patron.
They're keen – with an average turnout of 35 to 55 for "note bashing" practices for the voice sections in the chantry on Tuesdays and full rehearsals in the main church on Thursdays.
Bohemian Rhapsody is one of their signature pieces performed by the gents, who range in age from 16-year-old Dan Woolley to Reg Edwards, who is 90. It's 86-year-old Gerry Bainbridge, a retired MEB electrician, of Leabank Avenue, Kidderminster, who sings Freddie Mercury's part in his top tenor voice. Gerry, who is registered blind and has been a member of the choir for 15 years, said: "It's always popular at our concerts – if we don't sing it we get told off.
"I thought Freddie Mercury was great and I'm proud to sing his most famous song."
The choir is a firm favourite at Kidderminster Town Hall, with regular sell-outs attracting audiences of 400, as well as at weddings and funerals.
Two years ago their "Songs for Heroes" recording raised £45,000 for the Help for Heroes charity and, in April, they launched their CD "Hearts in Harmony" in aid of the British Heart Foundation's 50th anniversary campaign.
The latest CD is available, priced £10, from the website www.kidderminstermalechoir.co.uk, with 75 per cent of the proceeds going to the charity.
