40th Anniversary Concert Braintree Male Voice Choir

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Braintree's award-winning Male Voice Choir and, back by popular demand - the dynamic Colchester Band, celebrate the Choir's 40th Anniversary at a concert on Saturday 7th May (7.30pm), Christchurch, Braintree, with songs from their early years and other popular favourites.

To commemorate the special occasion, a piece has been specially commissioned and arranged for the choir by Andrew Goddard – "I Write the Songs", originally sung by Barry Manilow. It will be performed for the first time at this concert. The varied programme also includes one of the songs sung in its very first concert "The Fisherman of England", one of Arthur Sullivan's (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) best known songs – "The Lost Chord" and a enchanting arrangement of Ave Maria.

The Colchester Band last played with the Choir in 2008 and have proved themselves to be a versatile band having achieved a run of successes recently in Brass Band contests. It will be playing a selection from its wide-ranging repertoire which has included hit pieces such as Bohemian Rhapsody, the film themes from "Live and Let die, My Fair Lady and Born Free.

Tickets from the Box Office at Joscelyne Chase Estate Agents, Bank Street, Braintree or phone 01376 341987.

Braintree Male Voice Choir originates from small beginnings, when four members of staff from the former Braintree College of Further Education sang to the gathered audience at the College's 1970 Christmas Concert. From these four singers, the Braintree College Male Voice Choir was formed and gave its first concert at the Monken Hadley home in Bocking on 29 June 1971. By this time it had grown in size to 16 members, made up of other college and teaching staff from nearby schools.

Alec Poulton was the founder and first Musical Director and led the choir for 18 years until his retirement from lecturing at the college. Elisabeth Miller took over as MD in September 1989 and in 1998 the choir's name changed to Braintree Male Voice Choir.

Today the choir membership has risen to 45 members and has enjoyed success recently in the Sudbury, Oundle and Medway Music Festivals receiving four trophies for their singing, a distinction and a commendation.

It has already issued one CD "With a Voice of Singing" and is just about to issue a new CD to celebrate its 40th Anniversary – "The 40th Anniversary Collection".

The choir supports several local charities and in the last year, over £2,500 has been raised for them through the concerts they have given. Braintree District Arts Council has commended the choir for being willing to travel to rural venues to give concerts. The choir is also keen to help encourage youngsters to sing – they do this by giving performances and singing with the pupils when they visit schools. This helps to show pupils that singing is fun and thus encouraging them to sing into adult life. The choir also gives young soloists the chance to perform at their concerts, providing essential experience of appearing before an audience.

See the Choir's website at: www.braintreemvc.com

The Colchester Band has been in existence since 1860 and are regular performers in and around the Colchester area. They are currently a nationally registered 2nd Section Band and compete in contests in southern England. They are amateur musicians from Colchester and the surrounding district ranging from 13 to 65+ in age.

The Band has competed in the National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships of Great Britain on a number of occasions, and has previously won the London and Home Counties First Section. Their concerts are performed at a variety of venues, including Colchester Castle Park, Halstead Park, Charter Hall and previously the London Royal Parks. They have featured at numerous fetes and fund raising events locally, and have also been on tour to Netherlands and Germany in recent years.

The Colchester Band also has a thriving Training Band which performs a variety of engagements throughout the year (including end of term concerts and joint concerts with the Senior Band) as well as undertaking engagements in their own right.

See the Band's website at: www.colchesterband.com

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