Our choir was set up in 1960 to compete in the Aldershot Music Festival and as it was made up of volunteers from many backgrounds with an odd one from here and an odd one from there, we were originally named the “Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir”. That is still a name some remember locally, but now that we recruit and perform in a wider area we have been renamed as “The Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir”.
We organise two major concerts a year, one in the summer and one near Christmas. At these we select a local charity to support and usually have guest performers to make for an eventful evening. Throughout the rest of the year we are invited to sing for a variety of functions, in village halls, theatres and churches across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. We are sometimes invited to join other choirs in events outside our area and have even sung at The Royal Albert Hall in a massed choir concert on several occasions.
The music we sing is wide ranging, from classical anthems to show tunes and popular songs of the 20th and 21st centuries. Our repertoire is carefully selected to suit a variety of tastes and be fun and enjoyable for the singers as well as the audience. We are not a religious affiliated organisation although we do sing some religious pieces of music. We even have some musical items specially arranged for us.
You do not need to be an experienced singer to join us. We don’t audition you or expect you to read music when you start with us. Our highly talented Music Director and teacher will help you develop the skills of singing and reading music if you are willing to give it a try and put the work in. With his guidance, and the willing support of your fellow choir members you will soon be reaping the joy and health benefits of singing in a choir.
