Much of the material for this potted history has been taken from St Stythians Male Voice Choir – A Brief History by S J Stephens and we recommend it for a fuller history.
1913: A male choir was formed in Stithians.
J H Bowden, Musical Director.
First World War: Choir disbanded.
May 1919: Choir re-formed.
30th August 1919: Placed 2nd at Redruth Music Festival.
Travel to concerts within three miles was made on foot but beyond this, a charabanc was hired, initially paid by the members but later at the expense of the whoever booked them.
1922: The Reverend Hills, Musical Director.
Lewis Pascoe continued as accompanist and we assume that he had been in place since the choirs inception.
1924: J H Mitchell, (Headmaster of Stithians School) Musical Director.
Miss Rhodda, accompanist.
1925: Choir considering closure.
11th October 1926: It was agreed that the choir “close indefinitely”.
1920s: Harry Mitchell unsuccessfully attempting to re-form the choir
1933 to 1939: Choir re-formed at some time as there were recollections of choir concerts during this time.
Sydney Bowden, Musical Director.
Betty Gluyas, accompanist.
23rd January 1947: The formation of the “modern” St Stythians Male Voice Choir.
Sydney Bowden, Musical Director.
Betty Gluyas, accompanist.
31st May 1947: Placed 5th out of 14 choirs at the County Championships in Bodmin.
1948: Ladies Committee formed.
1949: The choir became County Champions.
1949: Sydney Bowden holding the County Shield on the steps of Penmennor Chapel
1962: Low attendance by members and the loss of concert audiences (a problem which affected all brass bands, choirs and concert parties) led to a decision to disband the choir.
January 1964: Choir re-formed.
Sydney Bowden, Musical Director.
Will Pascoe, Deputy Musical Director.
Betty Gluyas, accompanist.
Choir practices held in the Parish Church Hall.
1972: Records made: Echoes of Stithians and Welcome to Stithians which included songs by
St Stythians Ladies Choir.
1973: Record made: Sing with Sankey with St Stythians Ladies Choir.
1976: Ken Downing, Secretary.
1981: Betty Gluyas died and Caroline Mollard took over as accompanist.
1982: Sydney Bowden resigned his position of Musical Director.
1982: David Eastburn, Musical Director.
1983: Elaine Tangye , accompanist.
The choir became a founder member of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs.
1983: Choir took part in 1,000 Voice Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
January 1984: Membership stood at 47 – a considerable increase.
1984: Kathryn Baldry, accompanist.
1984: Concerts in France.
1984: New uniforms of navy-blue blazer and grey trousers. It had previously been black dress suits and bow ties.
1986: Ken Downing, Musical Director. He joined the choir in 1964 aged 14.
1986 choir motif added to blazers and ties changed to maroon with gold and navy stripes.
1988: Choir took part in massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1993: Colin Anthony, accompanist.
1994: Choir took part in massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1997: The choir’s Golden Jubilee.
May 1997: Two-concert tour of East Anglia.
1999: Participation in the 11th Malta International Music Festival – a week-long trip.
2000: Choir took part in massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
2000: New uniforms of maroon blazer, light grey trousers and maroon and grey diagonally striped tie.
2003: Ceryl Humphries, accompanist.
2004: Kathryn Baldrey, accompanist.
2004: Concert tour to East Horsley in Surrey.
2007: Margaret Callaway, deputy accompanist.
2007: CD – Congratulations released.
2011: Ken Downing, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2011: Kathryn Baldrey, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: Ken Downing, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: Kathryn Downing, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: Choir took part in massed choir concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
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.