Circa 1919: Bodmin Male Voice Choir formed.

 

Mrs Hearn, Musical Director.

1953: Bodmin Male Voice Choir disbanded. “The Bodmin Male Voice Choir of the 1940s developed an excellent reputation for its performances both locally and nationally; the Quartet had been County Champions. Yet, this golden era in this proud choir’s life was not about to slowly wane; it was to collapse completely. The conductor, Mrs Hearn, died quite suddenly. The choirs minutes of the early 1950s show desperate attempts to attract a new musical director, however, nobody was to emerge and the records closed in 1954. The Bodmin Male Voice Choir was formally disbanded.”

September 1985: Bodmin Male Voice Choir re-formed. “Our story moves quickly to 1985 and centres around a team of four member inspired by the notion of reforming a Male Voice Choir in the town. Jack Roberts, who proposed the idea, was joined by John Pencheon, Barry Childs and the current Musical director, Paul An intense publicity campaign followed the initial meeting in March of 1985 and culminated in the first rehearsal at Bodmin. Community School in September 1985 when 42 men turned up.”

1985: Paul Tyrrell, Musical Director.

1986-1988 or later: Des Phillips, Accompanist.

1986-1988 or later: Russell Collins, Accompanist.

August 1986: The first concert in a packed Faster Hall in Bodmin.

May 1987: The Choir won the Novice section at the Cornwall Open Championships achieving an excellent set of marks.

1988: The Choir participated in the Cornish Voices Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

1989: Concert at Lanhydrock House.

First cassette produced.

1989: Quartet formed.

1989: Friends of the Choir established. Since its formation the Friends have proved to be a most successful social and fund-raising body.

 

If you are able to amend or add to this page then please leave a comment and we will be in touch.

 

This is a part of the Cornish National Music Archive (CNMA) project to Collect, Preserve and Share our Cornish Heritage and Culture.