Category: News

At an Extraordinary Meeting of the Mansfield District Council on 5 March 2019 elected members agreed unanimously to bestow the honorary title of Freedom of the District on the Mansfield & District Male Voice Choir. The Freedom of the District is only given in exceptional cases.

The Choir is also in receipt of a letter from Her Majesty’s representative at Buckingham Palace in recognition of the Choir’s contribution to the local community on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

At the Extraordinary Meeting Executive Mayor of Mansfield Kate Allsop said: “This is the council’s top civic honour and is completely deserved for both their success and longevity.”

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Choir’s talent has long been admired and they fly the flag for Mansfield wherever they go[/perfectpullquote]

“The Choir’s talent has long been admired and they fly the flag for Mansfield wherever they go. This award marries perfectly with the council’s vision of creating a more positive image of this District and creating community pride.”

At the Meeting the Choir performed two pieces; Let it be Me (G Becaud/Mann/Curtis arr. Alwyn Humphreys) and We Rise Again (Dubinsky/Macmillan arr. S Smith)

In the years ahead our Choir will continue to bring the wonderful gift of music and particularly choral singing to the people of Mansfield and beyond recognising, as we do, the huge difference that can be made in many lives; culturally, socially and charitably.

We accept these accolades also in honour and affection for those who have gone before us, whose commitment and talent established the musical standards of the Choir and energised it through good times and bad and always made their music with decorum, dignity and discipline.

Proud Welshman and “massive” supporter of the Wales rugby team  Al Roberts loves his rugby, has a lovely baritone voice and loves to sing. Mansfield & District MVC blog caught up with on the eve of the Wales v England match in Cardiff and with St David’s day just around the corner.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The best piece of advice I would give to anybody is work hard and grow your confidence[/perfectpullquote]

Where were you born and when did you start singing? – I was born in Pwllheli, North Wales and started singing probably around the age of 4. I sang in Sunday school and in Chapel and took part in all the usual activities at school – Nativity plays and all that. I also took part and sang solos in the Urdd National Eisteddfod,  one of the biggest youth festivals in Europe.

What were your musical influences growing up? – My dad was a massive influence. He was a member of a band and played bass. He was also a decent singer and joined a male voice choir – Brythoniad MVC in the early 1980s. That Choir sang with some big name acts including Shirley Bassey and performed on TV on numerous occasions. I got to sing with them at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff a couple of years back.

How long have you been with Mansfield and how did you get involved? – I joined the choir 11 years ago. I had moved up from Cardiff and was looking to get involved singing with a Choir. My dad and brother were in Brythoniad MVC and I was looking for the same sort of thing. I didn’t know anybody here, I just did a cold search and just showed up one Tuesday night. I was very pleased to find out that Mansfield were a member of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs.

What other types of music do you listen to? – My musical tastes are so varied. I enjoy country music and a big fan of Dolly Parton but I also like heavy rock music like AC/DC.

Tell us a little bit about your passion for rugby. –I am involved very much on coaching these days. I coach the u12 boys up at Mansfield Rugby Club, where my son plays. I also coach the u18 girl’s team. We are especially proud of the girl’s achievements; we have managed to get six of our girls on the England Rugby Centre of Excellence player pathway and two on the Training Group for England. The team itself are ranked in the top 16 in the country.

What is the best thing about being in a choir and what advice would you give to a new chorister? – I really enjoy the banter and the comaradarie of being in the Choir and the best peice of advice I would give to anybody is work hard and grow your confidence

There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we’d all love one another – Frank Zappa

St Valentine’s Concert, Sherwood Forest Community Church, Blidworth, – Friday 15 February 2019 ( 7pm)

Valentine’s Day represents a great opportunity  to sell cards and flowers especially red roses. Its real purpose, as we all know of course,  is to sing love songs.

There are so many different kinds of love songs which we all love to sing and listen too. This concert will be a great evening when we’ll share some of our old favourites ( like Unchained Melody and The Rose) and some new favourites ( like Guardian Angel and We Rise Again). As usual the programme will be packed and full of variety.

Taking up Frank’s sense of realism, we know that we’re not going to change the world on Friday night but we could change our world (for just an evening at least).

Hope to see you there!

Call 01623 455373 // 01623 797733 for tickets