Category: CMVC: Memories

2020-21 – The Zoom Years

The zoom years have been challenging, but we, as a choir have continued to do what we are passionate about, at that is to make music. As we look at 2022 with more of a normal spring in our step, here’s a quick look back at everything we have been upto.

 

60th Anniversary Celebrations!

We have had a fabulous couple of months celebrating our 60th Anniversary with our friends, supporters and formers. A formal reception was help on the 24th September in the Municipal Buildings of Crewe, the same spot where in February 1958 a meeting was held to inaugurate a ‘new male voice choir for Crewe and District’! In attendance were Mayor of Cheshire East, Cllr Lesley Smetham and consort Mr David Smetham, the Mayor of Crewe, Cllr Brian Roberts, the Mayor of Nantwich, Cllr David Marren and consort Mrs Belinda Marren and the Mayor of Sandbach Cllr Richard Hovey. The Choir then entertained their guests to an Evening of Music with songs from the earlier and current repertoires. Denise Leigh (soprano) and Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion), who have performed with the Choir over many years, added their own delightful and unique blend of vocal and instrumental music. Denise joined the Choir for the final song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, sending a tingle down the spines of the audience.

over the course of my career as a local Government Officer, I’ve been in the Council Chamber, in the Municipal Buildings, many many times but tonight was by far the most enjoyable. The Choir sang a wonderful repertoire that had my leg tapping and I so much had this urge to join in. Denise Leigh has one of the finest voices I’ve ever heard and was very amusing and Stefan certainly showed his ability with the accordion; they were quite a double act. As a Liverpool fan, from boyhood, the final song was irresistible and I knew all of the words, and everyone joined in with that. It was a great atmosphere and I had a very enjoyable evening and I know the other Mayor’s also enjoyed the event. I hope the Choir has another 60 years…

The Mayor of Nantwich, Councillor David Marren

On the 15th October our celebrations came to a conclusion with the choir returning to the Lyceum Theatre for a Gala Concert with special guests Crewe Brass Band, Jane Johnson, Kevin Whitfield, Nadia James and the South Cheshire George Formby Ukulele Society.

The Early Days 1957-1968

  • January 1958: At a social gathering in Crewe, Cliff Hartley, Harold Speed and the Mayor of Crewe Eric Booth arranged a meeting to gain support to form a male voice choir. The ambition:

To create a male voice choir to perform through the North West region and Nationally and to compete against the best of the English and Welsh amateur male voice choirs. 

  • February 1958: The Crewe & District Male Voice Choir was formed at a meeting which took place at the Municipal Buildings Crewe. Eric Booth was elected the 1st Chairman.

March 1958: Members  were recruited from Crewe and the surrounding areas. Roy Jennings was appointed the 1st Musical Director and rehearsals began in earnest.

 

  • November 1958: The choir gives its 1st official public performance at the Corn Exchange in Crewe.

  • 1959: The choir entered the Chester Music Festival and were section winners! They were also broadcast on BBC Radio for the 1st time.
  • 1960: As the choir’s reputation grew, Edward Griffiths replaced Roy Jennings as Musical Director. Musical Accompanist Gillian Lomas was also appointed. This new team went on to lead the choir to great success over the next 17 years – until 1977.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 1961-1965: Winners at the Chester Music Festival (61,62,63 & 65)and of the Alderley Edge Music Festival (62 & 64), 2nd BBC Radio broadcast
  • 1965-68: Winners of the Biddulph Music Festival (65, 66 & 67), Wallasey Music Festival (66), Fleetwood Music Festival (66), Morecambe Music Festival (67). The 1st 10 years finished with a joint anniversary concert with the Ludford St Girls School.

60th Anniversary Gala Concert

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