PRESS RELEASE

28th April 2006

BATH’S new Male Voice Choir is hitting the high notes with the city adding its support by announcing that The Mayor is the choir patron.

The City of Bath Male Choir was started by Grenville Jones in January and already has over 50 singers attending weekly rehearsals at Beechen Cliff Methodist Church in Shakespeare Avenue.

“People told me that there would not be the support in the area for a male choir as we have so many singing groups already. This has certainly not been the case,” says Grenville.  

Grenville Jones also leads Bath’s famous Silver Ring Choir. In 8 years since taking on the role of conductor he has doubled the number of singers and taken the choir on tour to Europe singing to sell-out audiences also in Canada, the States and, last November, New Zealand and Singapore. The Silver Ring has also hit the headlines through its links with Jamie Cullum, whose mother is a choir member, Claire Teal and Katherine Jenkins, with their Christmas shows to audiences of 1500 in the Bath Forum.

Following the announcement of the new choir in January, 18 men (and the Chronicle photographer!!) met on a cold winters evening at a rehearsal room in the centre of the city to kick-start the choir into life. From there on it has grown and in February, Beechen Cliff Methodist Church was set as the regular rehearsal venue and numbers have grown steadily ever since.

“We are now averaging around 40 singers at rehearsal’s, which are alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays to suit everyone’s diaries. The really encouraging thing about the choir is the fantastic sound that is already being produced. Friends of mine have already been to rehearsals and have been amazed by the progress and the quality of sound that the men are producing.

“I set the age limit at 65 deliberately as I wanted to attract younger men and I am really pleased that there are a number of men around the 30-40 age group who have never sung in choirs before but have come along and really enjoy the singing experience.”

The City Of Bath Male Choir has its links clearly with the city, and having the Mayor as patron confirms this.

“It is a delight to know that we have the support of the city and our first concert on Saturday November 4th will be in the Guildhall with the Mayor and also the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset present.

“We are a choir that is proud to be associated with the city of Bath and our uniform will reflect the black and blue of Bath rugby. I am looking forward to the day when we stand in the middle of the Rec to sing before one of Bath’s prestigious home matches!

“What an experience for the boys in the choir!” adds Grenville.

The singers in the choir come from all walks of life travelling from as far  as Bristol and Cheddar.

The website has full details of the choir with rehearsal dates and information on how to join, see www.bathmalechoir.org or call Grenville on 01761 479352.