THE Mendip Male Voice Choir (MMVC) is preparing for its festive season of Christmas concerts which begin in early December with performances across the region.
Their first performance will take place at the Bath Christmas Markets, located near Bath Abbey. The choir will perform under the arches at Abbey Green in Bath on Monday, December 2 from 6pm to 7pm.
On Saturday, December 7, the Mendip Male Voice Choir will perform at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church. The Christmas concert will raise funds to support MHA Communities, which helps people over 55 stay active and socially connected in their community.
On Saturday, December 14, the Mendip Male Voice Choir will join the Stanton Drew Community Choir for a candle-lit concert at St Mary the Virgin Church, Stanton Drew. The performance will begin at 7.30pm.
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Rounding off the Christmas season for the choir is its own annual Christmas Concert at St John Baptist Midsomer Norton, on Monday, December 16 at 7.30pm
Mendip Male Voice Choir chairman Richard Luscombe, said: “We are really looking forward to our Christmas Concerts, helping to raise funds for local charities, while also spreading some much-needed Christmas cheer. Our Christmas concert at St John’s is usually a sell-out, so please book early to avoid disappointment.”
Mendip Male Voice Choir was formed as the Timsbury Male Voice Choir in 1919, drawing in men from the Somerset coal-mining community centred on the village. The choir has continued to grow since then, even though coal mining ended around 50 years ago. The choir became a registered charity some years ago to help to raise thousands of pounds for charities and good causes with a series of concerts throughout the year.
The choir currently has 67 members arranged in four sections. Kate Courage recently re-joined as Musical Director, taking over from Jamie Knights who directed the choir for 11 years. Kate was Jamie’s predecessor and has the distinction of being the only musical director to have directed the choir twice.
Kate studied Music and English Literature at University and has taught, directed, conducted and composed for many choirs, groups and schools, including twice conducting the Royal Albert Hall Schools Proms with a massed choir of 500 children singing two of her compositions.
Tickets for the Mendip Male Voice Choir’s Christmas concerts can be purchased in advance through Ticketsource. Visit ticketsource.co.uk where you can find further details and complete your booking.