TINTAGEL ORPHEUS
MALE VOICE CHOIR
Registered Charity No. 1125934
 

         

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The History of the Choir ...

The Choir was formed in 1929 by a Welshman, Jack Thomas, who moved to Tintagel to quarry slate and was choirmaster until his death in 1955.

Cliff Inman, a member of the choir, then took over and was choirmaster until 1962. Arthur Biddick, took over the baton until 1968. Mel Rowe then became conductor until 1989.

Penny Mendoza took command until December 1993, when she retired. Penny had been the lead soprano with the BBC Singers and many other choirs.

At the beginning of 1994, Tony Tournoff was invited to become Musical Director and stayed with them until September 1997. The choir then had its second lady MD, Elizabeth Wade, known to everyone as "Buffy" and she was with the choir for three years.

Sheila Flower was the accompanist from 1950-2000 and husband Bob sang with the choir from 1950-2000 and was the choir's longest serving member. He was treasurer from 1953-2000

In 2000, Edna Sewell took over to become its 3rd. lady MD.

David Sherbird became the choirs conductor in Autumn 2004.

Taking over the baton at the end of 2007, Penny Barclay is now the choir's professional Musical Director and joining the choir at the beginning of 2008, their new accompanist and member of the artistic team is retired professional musician Alan Dawe.

On September 17th. 2008 the choir became a registered charity.

The choir is much travelled, having sung in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the South of France and sung five times in Liverpool (in both Cathedrals), Warwick, Cardiff, Bristol, Wigan and three times with the Massed Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall, London and many other venues in England.

In the five visits to the Cornwall County Music Festival in Truro they have managed to win the Championship Cup for Male Choirs under 40 members, four times.

In 1990 after 61 years their first professional commercial recording was produced.

In June 1994 the choir spent an enjoyable weekend sharing in the Bi-Centenary celebrations at Holy Trinity Church in Wavertree, Liverpool and in October the choir combined with 26 other Cornish Male Choirs in a 1000 voice concert in the Royal Albert Hall.

At the end of 1995 the choir spent a weekend visit with the City of Cardiff Male Voice Choir and in 1997 visited York, singing in the Minster and giving a concert at Fulford Church.

In 1998 a visit was made to Wigan and Liverpool singing with the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir.

!n 1999 they visited Hadley Male Voice Choir in Telford and had a fine weekend visiting the Ironbridge area.

In May 2000 the choir went to Swansea, giving a concert in the chapel used by the Morriston Male Voice Choir for the practices. The Morriston members there were delighted with the sound produced by a small choir of only 23 members, their top tenor section being 30 strong, whereas Tintagel choir numbered only six.

In 2002 the choir visited Bournemouth performing in Poole Methodist Church (MC) where the local Cornish Association gratly appreciated the concert. They also sang at Wimborne Methodist Church. The pianist for the trip was Sue Westwell.

In 2003 the choir visited Hereford with a day trip into Wales to Breacon, stopping at Abergavenny and Hay-on-Wye. They also had a riverboat trip on the Wye at Symonds Yat. Three concerts were performed in Hereford MC, Monmouth MC and Hereford Cathedral. In November the choir released their second recording on CD called Deep Harmony.

2004 saw the choir on the Isle of Wight staying at the Evesley Hotel, Ventnor. Two concerts were performed in Ventnor Church and Shanklin MC. Pianist was Pam Watson. Soloists were Ron Trevithick and George Jose.

In 2005 the choir visited the Cotswolds staying at Cheltenham and visiting Blenheim Palace. Two concerts took place at Cheltenham Methodist Church and Wells Cathedral. Everyone agreed the choir singing at Wells was a wonderful sound. Again the soloists were Ron and George, pianist Alison Minto.

In 2006, the choir went to Weymouth for their annual trip, visiting Abbotsbury Swannary and gardens and also Stourhead House and gardens.Two concerts were performed at Weynouth MC and Salisbury Cathedral. i

2007 saw the choir singin in Exeter Cathedral on their way to Axbridge to stay at the Webbington Hotel. A concert was performed at Weston-super-Mare Methodist Church, which was well received. Visits were made to Bath City and the newly opened Tyntesfield House where an impromtu concert was held in the chapel there.- wonderful acoustics! Also the Cheddar Caves were visited and again an impromptu sing took place in the cathedral cave, both wonderful experiences. On this trip Sue Uglow was the pianist.

In 2008, the choir returned to the Isle of Wight performing at Winchester Cathedral on the way over. Staying at Keats Green Hotel, Shanklin. A concert was given in the Methodist Church and also an impromptu sing at Osborne House. Our assistant conductor Mervyn Colwill took the baton on this trip with Alan Dawe on the piano.

They also combined with other Cornish Male Choirs and took part in the BBC Songs of Praise from Truro Cathedral, broadcast on 2nd November 2008.

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