Alfreton Male Voice Choir

Alfreton Male Voice Choir launches search for new members as it returns to face-to-face practise

Posted by: Laura Hammond

Sat 5th June 2021

Members of Alfreton Male Voice Choir have made their long-awaited return to face-to-face practise – and they’re looking for some new recruits to join in with them.

They got together under a marquee at South Wingfield Social Club for the first time in 18 months after Covid-19 restrictions forced them to practise virtually instead.

Mick Mullarkey, choir chairman, said: “It was really fantastic just to see each other face-to-face after such a long time and we practised songs we will perform at a concert in October.

“The after-practise catch-up was marvellous. We have kept together on Zoom and with our Choir newsletter and making recordings on YouTube, but you can’t beat making music together.”

The choir is made up of sections: baritones, basses, and tenors, with all sections needing more members.

Members of Alfreton Male Voice Choir have returned to face-to-face practise
Picture credit: Alfreton Male Voice Choir

Although the choir has just over twenty members it needs a good breadth and depth of voices in each section.

The repertoire is made up of a range of songs from shows, pop, comedy and choral with choir props ranging from flags, pirate hats and even a stuffed lion.

Weekly practise is normally held at Palmer Morewood Social Club, Hall Street, Alfreton, between 6.45pm and 830pm each Thursday – and the choir will return here after Covid-19 restrictions are eased later this month..

Each member contributes towards the costs of the music director, accompanists, insurance and buying music to comply with performing arts regulations.

The choir love to entertain at performances at social clubs, churches, band stands weddings and funerals.

Within the choir members there is a skiffle group which is a stark contrast in look, sound, and music when the guys bring out their garish outfits with tea-chest bass, drums, guitars, and ukuleles and even a gazoo banging out fifties style favourites like ‘My Old Mans A Dustman’.

Singers do not need to read music or play an instrument, the requirement is a pleasure of singing and entertaining in a group whilst having fun. Most of the members stop for an after-practise drink at the club bar.

he choir is fortunate to have excellent professionals to teach, direct and support: music director Terry Clay MA has a wealth of experience with choirs and brass bands, while accompanists Lisa Smith and Michael Anthony are very experienced in a range of piano and other instruments.

The choir has a long history of using song and music to help raise money for charity with an annual nominated charity.

This year it is AQUABOX, a Derbyshire based charity which sends its Aquafilters to disaster areas worldwide providing safe drinking water and humanitarian aid.

Choir chairman Mick said: “Alfreton Male Voice is community choir. We look out for each other, tease each other, entertain for good causes but above all, have fun around music and song.”

If you are interested in joining the choir, you can make contact via alfretonmvc.co.uk or via the Alfreton Male Voice Choir Facebook page.

Alternatively, you can pop along to choir practise. The choir will meet at 6.30pm on Thursday at South Wingfield Social Club. After July 19, practise will return to Palmer Morewood Social Club.