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We are a Choir that started in January 2006, and the picture above was taken at our first concert on Saturday November 4th 2006, in the Guildhall Bath. The 2006 Mayor of Bath, The Choir Patron is pictured with the Choir.
Founder conductor Grenville Jones is aiming for the highest standards of music and presentation, the photograph below was taken at the end of April 2006 and shows the increasing numbers who were then enjoying singing in the Choir. Numbers continue to increase and there are now over 90 singers as the Choir works through a busy 2010 programme, singing to full houses acr0ss the UK, and a host of concert invitations.
In only a short time, the City of Bath Male Choir has come a long way. It's first concert was held in the Guildhall, Bath back in November 2006, what a night that was. The Choir then appeared on stage at the 2007 Bath SHOWCASE charity concert (organised by Grenville Jones, our conductor) in front of an audience of 1500 people with guest appearances from jazz singers Clare Teal and Jamie Cullum.
In July 2007 the Choir performed with Aled Jones who was knocked out by the fresh sound of England’s newest Male Choir! A memorable trip to Germany took place in 2007 and the second packed annual concert at the Guildhall early in November. The Mayor of Bath is Patron of the Choir and the Choir sang at the official Mayor-Making ceremony in March 2007 – see picture above.
In June 2008, the Choir appeared on stage with Alfie Boe and that was just the start of an amazing year for the Choir. When Grenville Jones entered the Choir for a new BBC series called Last Choir Standing, he little knew what was to come.
It is history now that from the hundreds of Choirs that entered, the 'boys from Bath' reached 5th place and gained the support of thousands of new fans across the whole of the UK. Following the TV show, choir numbers continued to increase, the Choir were featured on a TV commercial for the Wispa chocolate bar and bookings flooded in.
With over 90 singers on its books, 2010 was another busy year for Bath Male Choir. Numerous concerts around the UK included Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey in December in the presence of Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall. At the end of 2010 the decision was made to return to Beechen Cliff Methodist Church in 2011 as the regular rehearsal venue.
This pleased Choir members as the regular "after rehearsal" social venue is The Bear Pub which is close by!
Now in 2011 Bath Male Choir is building on its reputation as being one the UK's LEADING and innovative NEW Male Choirs, putting the accent on entertainment at its many sell-out shows and concerts.
August 2008 and the 'Boys from Bath' are pictured at BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, London. The venue for the Choir's 2008 Annual concert had to be changed as so many people wanted tickets with people travelling to bath from across the UK.
The Choir also sang to an audience of 1500 for Grenville Jones' 2008 Christmas show, which was also at the Bath Forum, here are the boys are action at the Annual concert.
Looking back here's a bit of choir history - where are they now ? The picture below was taken at the very first meeting of The City Of Bath Male Choir on a cold January evening in 2006. In 5 years, The City of Bath Male Choir has embarked on an amazing musical journey.
Find out about our weekly rehearsals here. If you are aged between 16-65 and enjoy singing, come along and meet us. Sight-reading is not important, just a love of singing, and the ablity to buy a round at the local pub where many of the boys go after rehearsals.
The Choir is fortunate to have an experienced accompanist, who has been with the Choir from the start, Philip Evry lives in Timsbury and has known Grenville for many years.
Philip says:
“When I heard Grenville was starting a choir I wanted to be a part of it. It really is quite amazing how far the Choir have got in such a short time. It has a new bright sound with some very good voices and with Grenville at the helm the sky really is the limit.”
Philip received his musical education at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied piano with Harry Isaacs and piano accompaniment with Rex Stevens, gaining the LRAM (piano teaching) and the Academy’s Certificate of Merit for piano accompaniment.
His career in music, spanning more than 40 years, has embraced dance, music theatre, publishing (EMI, Chappell, IMP, Studio Music); arranging and editing, education, concert and cabaret performance.
He retired in 2003 from his position as Deputy Director of Music at The Arts Educational School, Tring and since then has been increasingly involved in concert performances in the Bath area as both pianist and harpsichordist. In 2002 the Society of Recorder Players awarded him an Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his contribution to the published repertoire for recorder players.
Previous experience as a choir repetiteur includes seven years with Brentwood Choral Society and the Essex Choral Union."
Click here to hear what some of the Choir members have to say about their new singing hobby.
