Island Life Magazine Ltd January/February 2006 | Page 46

FEATURE

Picture: Front Row - Joan Chaundy, Accompanist & Roy Bevan, Musical Director - Pauline Stephens, Deputy Musical Director - behind, choir.

Newchurch all
Male Choir
False beards, white smocks, red kerchiefs and string gaiters made
up the somewhat eccentric uniform of the Men of Hart’s Ash Choir
when it set up in a remote corner of Newchurch in the late 1960s.
But the theatrical-type costumes certainly captured plenty of
attention for the singers, and their choir has since gone on from
strength to strength.

In fact, in the past four or five years, the choir has enjoyed
something of a revival, following a period in the doldrums.
Barry Leahy, a first tenor and the choir’s publicity officer, recalls
that 10 years ago when he first attended a rehearsal, there were
only around 16 members.
However, in the past few years – partly because of new singing
blood moving onto the Island from the mainland – that number has
doubled, adding considerably to the power of the four-part singing.
There’s now a very healthy balance of eight first tenors, seven
second tenors, 10 baritones and eight basses, whose ages range
from 38 right up to 83.
Last year, as well as performing in their own regular round of
venues, the choir was joined by numerous visiting choirs from the
mainland for a whole series of joint performances in Island
churches. These included Shrewsbury Police Male Voice Choir –
who finally managed to persuade the Island’s singing men to do a

The unusual attire and original name had already
been ditched as early as 1970, and the choir quickly
built a reputation through its regular performances
all over the Island.
Now better known as Newchurch Male Voice Choir,
its 32 members sport a smart new contemporary
uniform of maroon blazer and tie with white shirt
and black trousers, adopted in 2005.
Their musical repertoire has also changed
significantly over the years – moving from
predominantly religious numbers towards more
songs from the shows, opera classics, movie themes,
spirituals and pop songs.
And members of the current choir are drawn from all
over the Island, not just its original home in
Newchurch, and include a huge cross section of men,
from postmen and bankers to health workers, the
semi-retired and retired .

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Picture: Roy Bean conducting the choir