Life President

The Debt of gratitude owed to Alan is enormous. For 24 years he has led, dragged and honed the choir into what it is today

Chairman

chair@stoneleighmalevoicechoir.co.uk

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Secretary

secretary@stoneleighmalevoicechoir.co.uk

I joined the choir some 14years ago after supporting them for the previous 5 years

It has been one of the most enduring pleasures of my life. The comradeship and trust placed in each other is delightful to behold. Now in my 83rd year I have been Secretary for the past 10 years. I have seen us grow from a unison choir to an accomplished 4 part harmony choir when the need arises, under the direction of firstly Alan Biddle our life President and latterly under the direction of Kevin Stannard who is stretching us even more. We support mainly local charities and organisations and are justly proud of the reputation we have obtained. 

Treasurer Elect

treasurer@stoneleighmalevoicechoir.co.uk

I joined the choir in September 23 following a chance meeting with Phil Jones. I was just retiring from my business at that time and had thought many times about joining a choir, but never had the time. ‘Why not come along?’ he said ‘we sing for pleasure and for charity. It’s great fun and there are no auditions…’.

I hadn’t sung in a choir since I was at school, [and I’m no Bocelli either], but I have been welcomed by a great bunch of chaps. We are all exceptionally fortunate to have such a fabulous Musical Director and Conductor who challenge and coach us to be the best we can be, but at the same time there is a good deal of friendly banter and laughter, and time for a pint afterwards, if you fancy one.

I thought I would shy away from doing concerts, but have found them to be all part of the fun and, like a good strike of a golf ball; or a perfectly executed dance step,…. when we sing well, it’s really quite magical.

As I write, I am just picking up the Treasurer role from Jim Easter who has kindly held this position for the last 6 years. Thank you Jim.

musical.director@stoneleighmalevoicechoir.co.uk

Kevin has had rich musical experiences over the last 45 years, working with choirs of different shapes and sizes, predominantly in Coventry, Wolverhampton, Cambridge and Oxford.

His travels as a musician and teacher have taken him to China, Malaysia and Australia and his children's songbooks have reached schools in Europe, the USA and Canada.

He was delighted to be invited to take over the reins at SMVC after Alan Biddle's long and very successful tenure and is seeking to maintain the choir's excellent standard and traditions serving its local community.

"As some of you know, the Stoneleigh Male Voice Choir began in rather unexpected circumstances. It all started when our new rector arrived and announced — quite firmly — that you cannot have a carol service before Christmas.
Apparently, singing about baby Jesus before he actually arrived was, in his view, the liturgical equivalent of opening your presents early!"

"Well… this did not go down well. In particular with one very determined village resident who said, and I quote:
‘But I always have everyone round for drinks after the carol service… and I’m not changing that!’
And I must admit — the logic was rather… persuasive."

"So after a little negotiation — and possibly the promise of Christmas sherry — the rector finally agreed to a pre-Christmas carol service… on one condition:
He said we could only have it if we produced a male voice choir from the village."

"Now… at this point I could have said, ‘Oh well, never mind.’
But instead, I looked around Stoneleigh — population: small — and thought:
Well… how hard can it be to find a group of men willing to sing in public?
Harder than you’d think, actually."

"But eventually, with a mix of persuasion, encouragement, and possibly mild emotional blackmail, I managed to gather a group. And just like that, the Stoneleigh Male Voice Choir was born!"

"And here we are — years later — still singing, still laughing, and still proving that sometimes the best things come from stubborn villagers, unexpected requirements… and the promise of a good drink afterwards."

"Thank you — and long may the choir continue!"