Wessex male choir
Encyclopedia
Wessex Male Choir is an award-winning
male voice choir based in Swindon
, Wiltshire
, England.
The choir was formed in September 2001 by Robert Elliott, its musical director. The choir takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Wessex
. This is reflected in the choir logo which features
the wyvern
or dragon used in the flag of Wessex.
Wessex Male Choir has performed in Wales and Spain, in addition to regular appearances in England.
The choir has supported numerous charities; members entered the 2007 London Marathon
to raise funds for the Parkinsons Disease Society, singing their way along the route.
Wessex Male Choir has a strong record in choral competitions. They reached second place in the 2006 Llangollen International Eisteddfod
, won the Gold Cup for the outstanding choir at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts, and won the male choir category at the International Choir Festival of Jersey 2008. They won best Male Choir and best Ensemble at the Mid Somerset Music Festival at Bath in 2010. They will be performing open rehearsals at various locations throughout Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire in 2010/2011 and any interested male singer should visit their website.
The choir has also released two CD recordings.
Wessex Male Choir have been invited to compete in the 2011 International Eistedfodd in Langollen and also to give a performance in July 2011. It is their 10th Anniversary in 2011 which will be exciting and full of concerts. They also are producing their third CD for release before Christmas.
At the International Eistedfodd, Langollen 2011 the Wessex Male Choir were placed in the following:
1st in the Male Choir competition making them the top male voice choir in the world 2011
Runners up in the Pavarotti world Cup
3rd in the Chamber Group Choir
male voice choir based in Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England.
The choir was formed in September 2001 by Robert Elliott, its musical director. The choir takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Wessex
Wessex
The Kingdom of Wessex or Kingdom of the West Saxons was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England, from the 6th century, until the emergence of a united English state in the 10th century, under the Wessex dynasty. It was to be an earldom after Canute the Great's conquest...
. This is reflected in the choir logo which features
the wyvern
Wyvern
A wyvern or wivern is a legendary winged reptilian creature with a dragon's head, two legs , and a barbed tail. The wyvern is found in heraldry. There exists a purely sea-dwelling variant, termed the Sea-Wyvern which has a fish tail in place of a barbed dragon's tail...
or dragon used in the flag of Wessex.
Wessex Male Choir has performed in Wales and Spain, in addition to regular appearances in England.
The choir has supported numerous charities; members entered the 2007 London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
to raise funds for the Parkinsons Disease Society, singing their way along the route.
Wessex Male Choir has a strong record in choral competitions. They reached second place in the 2006 Llangollen International Eisteddfod
International Eisteddfod
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a music festival which takes place every year during the second week of July in Llangollen, North Wales. Singers and dancers from around the world are invited to take part in over 20 high quality competitions followed each evening by concerts where...
, won the Gold Cup for the outstanding choir at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts, and won the male choir category at the International Choir Festival of Jersey 2008. They won best Male Choir and best Ensemble at the Mid Somerset Music Festival at Bath in 2010. They will be performing open rehearsals at various locations throughout Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire in 2010/2011 and any interested male singer should visit their website.
The choir has also released two CD recordings.
Discography
- Men in Black (2005)
- Shades of Wessex (2008)
Wessex Male Choir have been invited to compete in the 2011 International Eistedfodd in Langollen and also to give a performance in July 2011. It is their 10th Anniversary in 2011 which will be exciting and full of concerts. They also are producing their third CD for release before Christmas.
At the International Eistedfodd, Langollen 2011 the Wessex Male Choir were placed in the following:
1st in the Male Choir competition making them the top male voice choir in the world 2011
Runners up in the Pavarotti world Cup
3rd in the Chamber Group Choir