They say nothing succeeds like success and, yes, we are truly experiencing a wonderful upturn in all areas of our choir’s activities. We are attracting new singers through our recruitment campaign, (more of that later), we are venturing into new music, and we had a sell-out of our Winter Concert at High Cross Church in Camberley. We are improving in those areas that are cornerstones of our men’s choir, or Male Voice Choir if you prefer, namely: singing techniques and, in our case, raising money for charity. We raised £1200 for Parity for Disability at the Winter concert.
Because we are improving in our singing, we are now able to take on more challenging music and that should be evident at our Summer Concert at St Thomas on the Bourne. Additionally, because we have attracted some real talent, our soloist spots in the concert programme will be featuring members of the choir instead of guest artists.
Our recruitment campaign is gathering pace, we have been performing “sing-outs” in various venues in our “catchment area”. These sing-outs feature two 20 minutes of song in places such as the Lion and Lamb yard in Farnham. This gives us the opportunity to distribute flyers that inform potential singers that we are having a “Pie and Pizza” event at the Hogs Back Brewery (where else?). There, potential recruits will experience a rehearsal together with the choir, a free pint and a pizza and the choir singing to them! Last year we initially attracted 12 new members (we now have at least 15 new members). This year we want 20 new members! Can you imagine the noise of having 60 odd blokes singing to you – it’s enough to curdle the milk. ?
In my last newsletter, I hinted that we had arranged something special for Margery Wakefield, our retiring accompanist. Now it can be revealed that we successfully applied to the British Citizens Award Council for Margery’s contribution to the community should be recognised. We are proud and delighted to announce that Margery has been awarded the British Citizen’s award. The has been reported in the Farnham Herald and there is a copy of the citation in this newsletter.
Sometimes fate has a large part to play in our lives. I would like to say we have more fun and a better camaraderie because of our fantastic Musical Director and hugely talented new accompanist Charlotte Hobbs. Lady Luck has truly smiled on the Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir. May it continue to do so.
Peter
Chairman, Hampshire & Surrey Hills Men's Choir
Table of Contents - Announcing A Pizza, A Pint and A Song taster evening
- Farnham Sing-Out
- Donations Presented to Parity For Disability
- Congratulations Margery Wakefield BCAc
- Supporting Rushmoor Men's Health Day
- Christmas Concert a sell-out!
- ...Jack Frost nipping at your nose!
- A Musical Treat For Christmas
- Upcoming Events
- Guildford Sing-Out - Sat, 22 Mar 2025, 11:15am
- A Pizza, A Pint and A Song - Wed, 16 Apr 2025, 6:30pm
- Summer Concert 2025 - Sat, 28 Jun 2025, 7:30pm
- Bordon Concert - Sun, 6 Jul 2025, 3:00pm
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CHOIR OFFERS LOCAL MEN “A PIZZA, A PINT AND A SONG” Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir is running a “Taster Evening” at Hogs Back Brewery on 16th April Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir has announced a “Taster Evening” ...
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It was the turn of the good folk of Farnham to be treated to one of our roving sing-outs on Saturday 22nd February. We entertained shoppers in the Lion & Lamb Courtyard and were sporting our new choir baseball caps!
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At a recent rehearsal, Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir presented the donations from their Christmas concert to Community and Engagement Officer, Fleur Powell, from the charity Parity For Disability. Total donations were over £1,200 with Gift Aid.. Making the ...
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After forty years of being unpaid accompanist to our choir Margery has earned her retirement! Not only that, the powers that be have awarded her the The British Citizen Award for Services to the Community (BCAc) in recognition of her ...
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We were very happy to be invited to support Rushmoor Borough Council's first-ever Men's Health Day in Farnborough on 18th January. As well as a table/stand at which members of the choir were on hand to explain the many physical ...
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Our Christmas Concert this year, at High Cross Church in Camberley on 19th December, was a "sell-out" with a capacity audience of over 200 including Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarbie Kang and many other honoured guests. The packed church ...
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Oh! the weather outside is frightful... It was a chilly and damp morning outside Tesco's at The Meadows in Camberley today - but we cheered up the shoppers with some festive numbers. We were supporting the 41 Club and Father ...
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Our first actual concert for the festive season was with the Sandhurst Silver Band at a new location for us - the renowned Camberley music venue called "The Login Lounge". We performed a variety of seasonal songs, the band played ...
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If you're going to be in Guildford on Saturday 22nd March come and listen - we'll be providing a short sing-out at about 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
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The Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men's Choir invite you to join us for a free snack and drink plus a short group singing "taster session" at the home of local surrey beers - the Hogs Back Brewery. No audition - ...
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