(Photo: taken from the Choir’s website and used in the hope that it will not cause offence. If an objection to its use is received we will immediately remove it.)
1940: At the Climax Rock Drill and Engineering Works, at Pool, between Camborne and Redruth, Cornwall, two men working on the work’s roof saw the glow of the fires in Plymouth caused by the bombing by the Luftwaffe. To alleviate distress among the blitz victims they formed a small choir to raise funds.
1940-1973: Edgar Kessell, Musical Director.
1940-1997: The Choir rehearsed in the Canteen at the Climax works but alternative accommodation had to be found when the Canteen was demolished.
Programme lodged at Kresen Kernow
1960s: The name Holman was added to the choir’s title after the two companies of Holman’s and Climax joined together. Later, the word CompAir was added to our Choir Badge to reflect the changes in the Company.
1972-1990: George Smith, Musical Director.
Climax Male Voice Choir 1972 (Photo: Courtesy Ralph Elcox)
Agnes Jane, Accompanist.
1983: Took part in the 1,000 Voice Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1990-2008: Roger Wills, Musical Director.
The Choir rehearses at Camborne Community School.
2008-2014: Angela Renshaw, Musical Director.
2011: Angela Renshaw, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2011: Agnes Jane, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: Angela Renshaw, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: Margaret Callaway, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
During this period the choir produced two DVDs, were successful at the Cornwall County Music Festival and Camborne Music Festival and set up the popular community evenings.
2014: Andrew Thomas, Musical Director.
Tom Hosking, Deputy Musical Director.
Ria Clemens, Accompanist.
Honorary Vice Presidents: Benjamin Luxon CBE and Alan Opie, internationally known Baritone singers.
The Choir has continued with its policy of charitable work bringing help to many hundreds of charitable organisations and thousands of pounds for their various causes. Over the years, the choir has competed successfully in contests throughout Britain from Llangollen to London. Other achievements include international honours in the BBC’s ‘Let the People Sing’ competition including the cherished Rose Bowl for the most outstanding entry from the British Isles. They have also received awards from the Cornish Gorsedd and have won the Edgar Kessell Gold Cup for the best performance of any choir at the Cornwall Music Festival among their honours. The most recent success was in March 2011 at the Cornwall County Music Festival held at the Truro when they won the Male Voice Choir Championship. (Choir website)
The Choir has appeared with many outstanding artists including Wendy Eathorne, John Treleaven, Carlo Curley, and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the Band of the Grenadier Guards and Black Dyke Mills Band. (Choir website)
The Choir has completed successful tours of America and Europe and is continuing this policy both to gain international experience and to further the good name of Cornish singing. (Choir website)
More information can be found about the choir on its website: https://www.holmanclimaxmalevoicechoir.co.uk/
If you would like 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.