The Solent Male Voice Choir were booked to sing two sets at the recent Emsworth Horticultural Show held on August bank Holiday Monday.
The Emsworth Show was held in the grounds of the New Life Church in Hermitage, Emsworth and, as well as a grand Horticultural Marquee, features arena entertainment, a dog show, many fairground attractions, craft stall and a “bandstand area”. This year the three musical items were supplied by Alder Valley Brass, Slowburn (a reggae band) and, in complete contrast the Solent Male Voice Choir.
Led by the Musical Director Huw Thomas the SMVC sang traditional male voice songs plus a few popular songs from the shows. A good audience enjoyed the singing and even joined in. James Thomas accompanied the choir on the keyboard.
SMVC Chair man Dave McVittie said “This was a first for SMVC, singing outdoors. The weather was great and we held a good audience in both of our sets. I noticed that many of the men in the audience were singing along with us and so I invited them to turn up to our weekly practice, which happened to be the next day. Amazingly three gentlemen did turn up on Tuesday and we are hoping they will become members.”
The SMVC are now working towards their next concert. A joint concert with the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir from Wales to be held in St Paul’s Church, Chichester on 15th October. Tickets are available through the SMVC web site: