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A VERY WARM WELCOME FROM THE LIVERPOOL MALE VOICE CHOIR.
We are the only traditional male-voice choir in Liverpool, and one of the longest-standing choirs in the City.
Formed in 1911 as the Wavertree Imperial Glee Union, we re-named as Wavertree Male Voice Choir and then the Liverpool Male Voice Choir in 1937. In 2015 the choir was admitted to 'The Freedom Roll of Associations & Institutions of The City of Liverpool'. This prestigious award was granted in recognition of our cultural contribution to the City and our long-running ethos for fund-raising in support of countless charities and worthwhile causes. Being awarded the 'Freedom of the City of Liverpool' is a huge honour and we proudly continue to share our love of music performing to the people of Merseyside (and beyond). "Freedom of the City" status gives us the right to drive cattle down Dale Street but seriously, it means that we are invited to attend civic functions and official events, and we are pleased to do so. Also, we try, whenever possible, to be choral ambassadors and hosts for visiting choirs from other parts of the UK and abroad.
We currently have 40 choristers, headed by our Musical Director Neil Kirkwood. Our Accompanist Daniel Gerrard, M. Mus., our President - Pauline Metcalfe and our Chairman, Mike Gollop heads the Committee comprising of seven hard-working members.
Our repertoire is varied and comprises a wide range of songs, show songs, spirituals, operatic choruses, hymn tunes, shanties and more, thus providing plenty of variety to satisfy our audiences. This means there is something for everyone. Typically we perform around 12 to 15 concerts throughout the year, concluding with carol concerts in December, one of which includes a children's choir.
Across the UK our concert venues have been diverse and interesting, ranging from prestige concert halls, like St George's Hall, the Philharmonic Hall, town halls, cathedrals, churches, civic centres and theatres. We also sing at private functions such as garden parties and weddings. We regularly appear at Sefton Park's Palm House.
If you are interested in seeing us perform, then please visit our Diary Page or, contact us via our Contact Page. Or just come along to our rehearsal rooms at Oakvale URC Hall, Broadgreen Road, Broadgreen. Visitors are most welcome.
Concert Diary
Meet some of the choir
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"Although choral music had played a huge part in my school, college and working life, it was not until 1981 that I developed a love for the male voice and its repertoire. The Liverpool Male Voice Choir was one of nineteen choirs taking part in ‘A Festival of Massed English Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall and, being involved in a small part of the admin, I was fortunate enough to attend some regional rehearsals as well as the final concert. Hearing the massed choirs sing male voice classics such as Soldiers Chorus, Gwahoddiad and Morte Christe made a lasting impression and left me wanting more. The Liverpool Male Voice Choir was on my doorstep and so the friendship began; the rest is History.
Fast forward to 2016 when the invitation to become choir President took me completely by surprise; I was indeed privileged to be asked and am honoured to be associated with this truly talented, enthusiastic and caring group of gentlemen.
Now in 2021 the choir looks forward to celebrating its 110th anniversary. I thank the gentlemen most sincerely for the stirling work they have put in over the years on behalf of so many charities in and around Liverpool. They can look back proudly at a job well done safe in the knowledge that their energy and commitment will ensure the choir continues to thrive and flourish in years to come."
Pauline Metcalfe
President -
A now retired Maths teacher; Neil joined the Liverpool Male Voice Choir in March 1986, singing in the Second Tenor section. He became a stalwart of the choir, also featuring as a soloist, usually singing items from musicals or accompanying himself on guitar. One of his and an audience favourite is "If I were a rich man". In the Autumn of 2015 he was asked if he would consider becoming the choir’s MD and after leading a number of rehearsals and concerts he was appointed as Musical Director in February 2016.
Ably supported by our accompanist, Danny, Neil has sought to inculcate excellent choral practice within the group, to encourage the individual performers within the choir, and to produce concert programmes to project the excellent musical ability of the choir whilst also exhibiting variety and maintaining the traditions of male voice singing.
"It has been my honour and privilege to lead the choir."
Neil Kirkwood
Musical Director -
Danny is an accomplished pianist, composing his own works and transcribing others. At concerts he frequently takes a solo slot to show off his virtuoso talents. He is the 'fulcrum' at rehearsals and public performances, playing to a very high standard. His fine piano solo’s are beguiling, always impressive, and his contributions significantly enhance our concerts. We're extremely fortunate to have Danny's recordings of our music in our online DropBox resource, providing a valuable on-line learning system. Recently Danny has gifted LMVC with his arrangement of the sacred song 'Panis Angelicus' in memory of Bill Watts. This is something we look forward to performing, when the pandemic is over.
"I have been the Musical Accompanist of the Liverpool Male Voice Choir since 2010. Unfortunately Lockdown has stopped our concerts and our rehearsals at the present time."
Danny Gerrard
Accompanist -
"In 1978, in the summer, I first attended a rehearsal of the LMVC and they said to me “We are doing a concert at Christchurch, Bootle next Monday. Come and listen to us”.
When I got there I sat next to this old gentleman in a choir blazer, who told me he had recently retired from the choir after being treasurer for 40 years. His name was Jack Coldrick. What a coincidence that a few years later I should become treasurer of LMVC. I enjoyed the concert immensely and decided to stay with the choir from then on. Jack was to depart to a better place in November of that year. I bet nobody could recognise me anyway, as I was much younger and had nothing growing from my face in those days.
The soloists on the night were the late Eddy Austin and Jim Sandwell."
Joe Ward
Bass -
Harry is a retired Industrial Chemist and from some of his stories he is lucky to manage to get to retirement and manage to get to retirement with all his limbs still attached.
“After over fifty years of singing with male voice choirs, highlights spring to mind. Foremost is the comradeship enjoyed by the choristers, either when singing together at the local church, or on stage at the Royal Albert Hall with 1,000 voices or the terraces at Cardiff Arms Park with 10,000 voices and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
My personal highlight is a musical evening arranged in May 1997 to celebrate my retirement from full time work. I wanted to share this milestone with my family and friends and my fellow choristers. The evening took the form of a concert with Musical Director Mr Derek Sadler guiding us through the programme with my personal choice of musical items, in an amusing “This is Your Life” story. I have highlights of this occasion on video, a programme I certainly don’t mind repeating.”
Harry Riley
Top Tenor -
Ian is a keen motorcyclist, owning three motorcycles at the same time. Pictured above is his 1998 Honda VFR800fi. His FJR that has all the toys - Cruise Control, Auto Suspension – ABS. Traction Control, Heated Grips the list goes on ...
"Modified the bars to give me a more upright riding position. It features a V4 engine with unique features based on Honda’s famous VFR750 RC45 race machines. For now, it gets rolled out, polished, engine run and put back in the garage. Role on the vaccine and Wales open again.
I have been singing in the Liverpool Male Voice Choir since September 1992. I started off singing in the Baritone section, but latterly I have moved to the Bass section to better aid the balance of the choir."
Ian McCartney
Bass Soloist -
We are a diverse bunch; coming together in song from all walks of life ( to name just a few ) :-
care workers,
teachers,
ex-army, ( Ulster Defence Regiment ),
gardeners,
chemists, ( Industrial and High Street )
civil servants,
engineers ( Aerospace , CrossRail & CCTV Installer ),
police officer ( now drugs checker for sports organisations )
photographers,
a printer,
a driving examiner,
a mechanical designer ( and Scout Leader )
and many morePurchase Our CDs
£12 ( including P & P )
The above paintings by Mike Gollop © were created to augment the slideshow that accompanied the WW1 concerts.
CD Recorded live at Holy Trinity Church, Rosemary Lane, Formby
Narrated by our Chairman Mike Gollop to create a cleverly crafted dialogue which joins up all the songs, poems and letters that have been read by members of our choir. It creates a strong local resonance pulling on north west knowledge and experiences of the First World War and we are justifiably proud of the result.
Post Production facilities provided by Scratch Studio Liverpool.
Cover Design, photography and insert: The Wirral Press, 117 Brighton Street, Wallasey CH44 8DT
All rights of the producer and the owner of the work reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this recording is strictly prohibited. Please write to the choir if you wish to gain written permission to use any material in this manner.
This was just one of the many accolades :- I just want to say what a fantastic concert it was last night. The singing was tremendous, the poetry deeply moving (especially the Vera Brittain) the script and narration set the perfect tone. You and the choir did the memory of all those lost in the War a great service; it was a great pleasure to experience the concert. I have been told that the evening at the Unity Theatre was equally special, having had feedback from my friends and the Pals relatives who attended, they were unanimous in their praise.
Thanks to all. Tony Wainwright, Liverpool Pals Association.
£12 ( including P & P )
A collection of Christmas carols and songs by the Liverpool Male Voice Choir.
© 2019 Liverpool Male Voice Choir recorded live at Oakvale United Reformed Church, Edge Lane Drive, Liverpool.
Post production facilities provided by Scratch Studio Liverpool - scratchstudioliverpool@gmail.com - www.scatchstudioliverpool.com
Cover design and insert: © The Wirral Press, 117 Brighton Street CH44 8DT - www.thewirralpress.com - info@thewirralpress.com
1. Silent Night - Austrian carol by Gruber & Mohr. Arr. by D. A. Sadler
2. Deck the Hall - Welsh 16th century Air. Arr. by David Willcocks
3. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head - Music and words by Edmund Walters
4. Still, Still, Still - Music and words by Norman Luboff
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Music by Phillips Brooks. Arr. by Bob Chilcott
6. The Angel Gabriel - Music by Baring-Gold. Arr. by Edgar Pettman
7. Hallelujah - Music by Leonard Cohen
8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Music Martin and Blane. Arr. by K. J. Dinham
9. The Christmas Song ( Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ) - Soloist: lan McCartney, Music and words by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
10. I saw three ships - Traditional 17th century English carol ( composer unknown )
11. Born is the Light of the World - Soloist: lan McCartney, Music and words by Sally Deford
12. The Calypso Carol - Music and words by Michael. A. Perry. Ar. D.A. Sadler
13. The Holly and the lvy - Music by John Gardner
14. We wish you a Merry Christmas - Traditional 16th century West Country carol
Once you have made your purchase - Please send an email telling us :-
- which CD you would like
- the address to which you would like the CD delivered,
- and if it is a present; any special message that you would like to accompany the CD.
Photo Gallery
Philharmonic Dining Rooms - November 2019.
Ian Preston's Garden Party.
On Saturday 23rd May 1981 the choir took part in a massed concert of 1000 English male voices and the Royal Doulton Band at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert was conducted by our President at the time - Edmund Walters. We were to return for a second concert 2 years later.
LMVC joined Leeds MVC and others at the magnificent Leeds Town Hall in 1986. We were to take part again in 1991.
This is the Kagawa Male Voice Choir from Japan, who joined us in Liverpool Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas at the Pier Head for the magnificent concert.
The concert was on 13th August 1998. We are assured on good authority that the Japanese lettering means “Voices in harmony”.
Your Choir contacts
Mike Gollop - Chairman
Mike has been with the choir since 1984 rising to the top position in 1991.
Mike is very hard working and brilliant leader of our choir. He sings as a Top Tenor and takes solo slots as well.
He has lots of talents, including the WW1 paintings ( above ) but we think he is justifiably most proud of his Welsh heritage.
His contact details are :- 40 Stapleton Road, Formby, LIVERPOOL L37 2YT
michaelgollop@yahoo.co.uk To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
01704 877852 - For personal messages - For official choir business please go through the Secretary
Ray Jennings - Secretary
Ray joined the choir in 2002 and became Secretary in 2007. He is an avid gardener and is also a member of Speke Aerodrome Heritage Group which restores and maintains aircraft whose air-worthiness certificates have lapsed. This provides an essential resource as the group provides spare parts for older aircraft which are still airworthy.
At the moment all enquiries about concert bookings are made through Ray.
His contact details are :- 110 Grassington Crescent, LIVERPOOL L25 9SB
raymondmind@yahoo.co.uk To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
(0151) 428 8753
"I have been the Secretary of the Liverpool Male Voice Choir since June 2007. Lockdown has been a very challenging period for our choir with many of our members in vulnerable categories. However the spirit of the choir lives on and we have managed to have weekly ZOOM meetings and managed to make a contribution to the Lord Mayor's Charities 2020 Fund."
Ray Jennings
Secretary - Second Tenor
Greg McCormack - Treasurer and Publicist
Greg joined the choir in 2016 and became Treasurer in May 2019. He is also Publicist of the Choir.
His contact details are :- 63 The Rock, Helsby, Cheshire WA6 9AS
grmccormack@googlemail.com To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
07944 296136
