17/18 October 2008 - Harrogate MVC Tour

The choir tour is always one of the highlights of the choir's year and this year was no exception. The tour was to Harrogate at the invitation of Harrogate Male Voice Choir who visited us last year and wished to return the hospitality. A superb hotel (the Cedar Court Hotel) in Harrogate, super food and two excellent concerts, the first in Ripon and the second, a Saturday night concert in the Baptist Church, Harrogate all helped to make the tour a very enjoyable long weekend.

This was the first tour that our Assistant MD Ralph Barnes had total control of and both concerts were very exciting affairs. The Music Committee had chosen the programme well and the selection seemed to be appreciated by both audiences. The concerts were shared by our host choir and their programme was sufficiently different to provide a good contrast between the two choirs. Ralph was particularly in his element when conducting both choirs in their joint pieces, Nessun Dorma, Gwahoddiad and, to close, Morte Criste. Their own conductor Bernard White conducted the joint choirs in the first half in Comrades in Arms and Rhythm of Life.

We were fortunate to have with us two excellent soloists, Jeff Bourton and the divine Sue Black. Jeff has recently recorded a CD of 20 or so songs chosen from the last 100 years and he sang some of those to a very appreciative audience. Sue has wowed audiences in America, Germany, Isle of Man, Jersey and in many parts of the UK and the Yorkshire audiences were clearly delighted to hear her magnificent voice and to be charmed by her sparkling personality. Following the Saturday concert, the Harrogate choir generously laid on sandwiches for the choir back at our hotel and for the usual after-concert singing.

As well as the concerts, the choir was able to see some of the lovely Yorkshire countryside and (as usual on our tours) the rain stayed off long enough to enjoy two trips.

It was particularly encouraging to have with us this year some choir members for whom this was their first trip. Judging from their comments, it won't be their last.

Against the usual run we have been able to attract some new members this year. Since the articles appeared in the local press advertising our request for new members, we have seen about 6 men who we hope will be sufficiently interested to become members.

From the archives: 2007 Choir Tour: Miesbach in Bavaria

From the archives: 2006 Choir Tour: Cornwall

From the archives: 2005 Choir Tour: Miesbach in Bavaria