the ISLE OF WIGHT's male voice choir

Next concert: Sun 9th March 2025 at 2.30pm - Shanklin Methodist Church with the Sea Gels Shanty Band in aid of the IW Branch of the MND Association

Welcome

to the website of

Newchurch Male Voice Choir

Experience the joy of singing and help to support charities with us.

Join, Sing, Support, Enjoy!

★★★★★

LATEST NEWS

11th February 2025 at Quay Arts

Members present a cheque for £1881 to Admiral Nurses (Isle of Wight), representing proceeds from concerts and donations received for the Choir's chosen charity for 2024.

The slideshow covers the years from the Choir's Silver Jubilee in 1992 to its AGM in 2025.

CHAIRMAN

Rod Riddell

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Bob Cooper

HON SECRETARY

Sheelah Stephens

HON TREASURER

Mike Smith

Who's who?

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Roy Bevan

ACCOMPANIST

Heather Bentley

ABOUT THE CHOIR

Newchurch MVC began as a turn at the long-established Newchurch Village concert in 1967 and was at first known as “The Harts Ash Male Voice Choir”. Its members, some of whom were still singing with the Choir until recently, were dressed in white smocks, red handkerchiefs and string gaiters. The choir cut its first vinyl disc, “Village Voices’, with Solent Records featuring “All through the night” as one of the tracks. Over fifty years on, and although members now sport badged blazers and ties, the choir still has “All through the night” in its repertoire which ranges from the traditional male voice pieces to modern numbers such as “Sweet Caroline”, “Hallelujah”, “What a Wonderful World” and “The Wonder of You”.

Over the years, the choir has ranged in strength from around a dozen men to over forty at times. The present count is around two dozen active members. Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised by the choir for numerous local charities through its concerts and it has enjoyed success in the Isle of Wight Musical Competition Festival, gaining a First Class (Commended) Certificate and winning the “Association Cup”.

The choir has ventured off the Island to enjoy trips to Cornwall, Yorkshire and Wales as well as the Home Counties, and it has hosted visits from choirs not only from those areas but from as far afield as South Australia. The choir has enjoyed the privilege of singing in such venues as Bath Abbey, Christchurch Priory, The Eden Project, Winchester Cathedral and most recently in Arundel Cathedral in 2023. One of the most memorable occasions was performing on the main stage of the 2009 Bestival, which was attended by some 39,000 people, although not all were awake on the Saturday morning!

The choir has made a good recovery after COVID and the associated ‘lockdowns’, although sadly it lost quite a few members during those times. It has been fortunate to recruit committed new members and looks forward to welcoming even more.

WHY JOIN?

Singing is good for your health! It is also a way of relaxing and enjoying the company of like-minded men. The social activities of the Choir extend to include wives, partners and families, whose support is much appreciated.

Potential members are invited to visit any rehearsal and are assured of a warm welcome.



Join Our Choir

Experience the joy of singing and support charities through our performances on the Isle of Wight.

Charity Concerts

Enjoy uplifting performances while helping us raise funds for local charities through our concerts.

A group of people, dressed in formal attire, stand together, possibly participating in a choir or rehearsal. They are facing forward, away from the camera, and are illuminated by colorful stage lights. The setting appears to be indoors, in a large room with a tiled ceiling.
A group of people, dressed in formal attire, stand together, possibly participating in a choir or rehearsal. They are facing forward, away from the camera, and are illuminated by colorful stage lights. The setting appears to be indoors, in a large room with a tiled ceiling.
Weekly Practices

Join us every Friday evening in Newchurch to practice and enhance your singing skills together.

A group of people, mostly wearing dark attire with gold bow ties, are captured mid-song. Several individuals have their mouths open, likely singing, while others are smiling. The lighting is dim, creating a dramatic and intimate atmosphere. The focus is mainly on their expressions and attire.
A group of people, mostly wearing dark attire with gold bow ties, are captured mid-song. Several individuals have their mouths open, likely singing, while others are smiling. The lighting is dim, creating a dramatic and intimate atmosphere. The focus is mainly on their expressions and attire.

Gallery

A group of people dressed in formal attire, possibly choir members, stand in rows with their backs to the camera in a dimly lit room. The setting appears to be a church or concert hall with ornate lighting and a decorative balcony visible in the background.
A group of people dressed in formal attire, possibly choir members, stand in rows with their backs to the camera in a dimly lit room. The setting appears to be a church or concert hall with ornate lighting and a decorative balcony visible in the background.
A group of individuals, mostly women, are gathered together, each holding a book or folder, possibly engaged in singing or a choir rehearsal. They are wearing coordinated white garments with dark embroidery. Their expressions are focused and attentive.
A group of individuals, mostly women, are gathered together, each holding a book or folder, possibly engaged in singing or a choir rehearsal. They are wearing coordinated white garments with dark embroidery. Their expressions are focused and attentive.
A group of performers stand on stage, each in matching traditional attire, consisting of white shirts with decorative patterns, while holding microphones. They are facing an audience seated in front of them. Behind the performers, a banner advertises a Black History Month event featuring Black Umfolosi from Zimbabwe. The setting is indoors, featuring a backdrop of dark curtains and a partially visible upper gallery.
A group of performers stand on stage, each in matching traditional attire, consisting of white shirts with decorative patterns, while holding microphones. They are facing an audience seated in front of them. Behind the performers, a banner advertises a Black History Month event featuring Black Umfolosi from Zimbabwe. The setting is indoors, featuring a backdrop of dark curtains and a partially visible upper gallery.
A group of young boys stands near a man playing the piano. The boys have their mouths open, appearing to be singing, while the man is focused on the piano keys. The scene has a vintage, black and white appearance, hinting at an older setting. A microphone is positioned in front of the boys, indicating they might be in a recording or practice session.
A group of young boys stands near a man playing the piano. The boys have their mouths open, appearing to be singing, while the man is focused on the piano keys. The scene has a vintage, black and white appearance, hinting at an older setting. A microphone is positioned in front of the boys, indicating they might be in a recording or practice session.
A male performer singing passionately into a microphone with one hand raised in the air, on a stage under dramatic lighting.
A male performer singing passionately into a microphone with one hand raised in the air, on a stage under dramatic lighting.
A man dressed in a traditional, cream-colored embroidered shirt is singing into a microphone on stage. Behind him, a colorful, abstract background features bright, star-like patterns. Several women in matching pink dresses are seated behind the singer, some with microphones, suggesting a choir or musical performance.
A man dressed in a traditional, cream-colored embroidered shirt is singing into a microphone on stage. Behind him, a colorful, abstract background features bright, star-like patterns. Several women in matching pink dresses are seated behind the singer, some with microphones, suggesting a choir or musical performance.

Explore our moments of joy, music, and community spirit.

Contact Us

For any inquiries or to join our choir.

Harmony

Join us for singing and community engagement.

Charity

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newchurchmvc@yahoo.co.uk

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