After competition success, MARION SAUVEBOIS reports on Swindon Male Voice Choir’s hunt for new singers

FRESH from a resounding victory in Cheltenham, Swindon Male Voice Choir is on the recruitment trail.

The singing group is not wasting any time. Keen to capitalise on their win at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts Competition in May, where they scooped first prize in the Male Voice Choir section, members are calling on singers to join their ranks.

“We are naturally delighted with this,” said member Alan Fisher. “We are now looking for new members. You don’t need to be able to read music but, if you can, that would be an advantage. People can join simply by attending one of our rehearsals which are held during term time. There are no auditions, just a simple voice test to find out which section to start in. Full support and training is given to new members.”

The group was formed in 1919 as the Great Western Running Shed Male Voice Choir by a group of Welsh railway workers partial to a little sing song in the sheds.

Over the years SMVC has gone head to head with community singing groups across the region and beyond. The first recorded win was in the National Eisteddfod, in Newport, South Wales on October 31, 1924. The choir has also kept a busy schedule of performances at home and abroad.

Competing aside, the group is dedicated to raising funds at every opportunity for local and national charities.

“Part of our ethos is to raise funds for charity, and for example, we raised over £800 for Parkinson’s UK in a combined concert with the Fairford ladies’ choir A Splash of Red in the Bath Road Methodist church,” added Alan.

The group meets on Monday evenings in the New Century Club, Gorse Hill, at 7.30pm.

For further information, visit swindonmalevoicechoir.co.uk, email swindonmalevoicechoir@msn.com, or phone one of the Recruitment Team members on

01285 712853 or 01793 327036.

The group meets on Monday evenings in the New Century Club, Gorse Hill, at 7.30pm.

Visit swindonmalevoicechoir.co.uk, e-mail swindonmalevoicechoir@msn.com, or call 01285 712853 or 01793 327036