- "A Pie and A Pint and a Song" attracts many new singers
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Date Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024
On Monday 29th April we held our first "A Pie, a Pint and a Song" Taster evening at Camberley Heath Golf Club. 17 men interested in trying out singing in a Men's Choir, many for the first time, joined 24 of the Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men's Choir singers for a combined social evening and singing workshop. Two sessions led by our Music Director Philip Viveash-Brainch introduced the newcomers to vocal techniques and how to sing in multiple parts in a choir with some fun items and in the break between them the guests were able to quiz existing choir members about what it is really like! All this with a free drink plus delicious shepherds pie snack. Following an explanation of next steps, the evening was rounded off with a performance of "Londonderry Air" (aka "Danny Boy") by the existing choir members to demonstrate what you can achieve.
The newcomers are now invited to take part in six weeks of rehearsals, including further singing introduction lessons from Philip, culminating in partciiapation in the Choir's Summer Concert on 28th June at High Cross in Camberley.
- The Hope Hub Variety Show
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Date Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024
We were delighted to be asked to feature in the first Variety Show hosted by The Hope Hub at Camberley Theatre on Sunday 14th April. We performed a 20 minute set including a variety of styles - "Puttin' On The Ritz", "Silent Worship", "Yesterday", "What Would I Do Without My Music", "Londonderry Air" and "When The Saints Go Marching In". Many of us were accosted in the interval to be told how much the audience loved our singing!
Other acts on the programme were Rickie B, singing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin songs, The Secret Stage School showing dance and stage skills, 4 in a Bar - a saxaophone quartet who guested at our summer concert last year, singer Bruno Santino with painist Joanna Monrtague-Smith, acoustic guitarist Abi Powell and singer Lizzie Brignall.
The Hope Hub is a registered charity dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Surrey Heath Borough and surrounding areas who we have been proud to support in the last year. The evening was a great success and raised around £2,600 for the charity.
- Entertaining shoppers in Farnborough
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Date Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024
On Saturday 13th April we followed up our successfull 'Sing Out' in Camberley with one in Farnborough Princes Mead shopping centre.. Once again we ran through a short list of items twice over the hour or so we were there, much to the enjoyment of local shoppers. A particular hit was "Puttin' On The Ritz", but we noticed a number of bystanders mouthing along to the words of a number of the songs such as "Don't Fence Me In", and "Molly Malone" . Roger Hacker and MIke Charlesworth did sterling work handing out flyers for our "A Pie, A Pint and A Song" taster evening at the end of April - so we are looking forward to a good turnout!
- Entertaining Camberley Shoppers on St. Patricks Day
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Date Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024
On Sunday 17th March members of the choir gathered at The Square in Camberley at noon and gave two 15 mins recitals to the shoppers passing by. As a nod to "Paddy's Day" we included "Molly Malone" in the set! It was very well received – lots of enthusiastic applause. Roger H and his “gang” gave out flyers advertising the Pie & Pint taster event. Some people actually came up to Roger H and ASKED for a leaflet. The ad-hoc choir truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are looking forward to introducing the shoppers in Farnborough to the choir on 13th April. Attachment:
- A Pie, A Pint and A song Taster Evening
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Date Posted: Wed, 6 Mar 2024
The Hampshire and Surrey Hills men's Choir is now opening its doors to any man interested in having a go at singing by holding a free “Pie and a Pint and a Song” taster evening at Camberley Heath Golf Club on Monday 29th April. There is no audition to join in, no need to be able to read music and everyone will enjoy a free drink, a snack and a short singing session guided by the choir’s exceptional Musical Director, Philip Viveash-Brainch.
Pre-booking is required (for catering numbers) - go to https://www.trybooking.com/uk/54204 or click on this QR code:
- The Odds becomes Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men's Choir
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Date Posted: Mon, 4 Mar 2024
The Rushmoor Male Voice Choir has announced that it is being renamed the “Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir” to reflect today’s reality and is embarking on a major recruitment drive to boost numbers as the choir develops further going forward.
A men’s choir nicknamed “The Odd Fellows” was created by “Aldershot’s Mister Music, Geoff Waller in 1960 to compete in the Aldershot Music Festival. The name was coined because the choir comprised an odd fellow from here and an odd fellow from there. What was initially intended as a single event group soon became an established choir that has continued to perform and raise money for local good causes over the last 64 years.
During that period the choir was occasionally renamed to reflect its activity at the time, and most latterly was known as the Rushmoor Male Voice Choir or the Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir. Today the choir draws its members from, and performs regularly, across both Surrey and Hampshire so decided to mark the start of a new phase in its development by updating the name to reflect this reality.
Announcing the development, choir Chairman, Peter Viveash, said “We are welcoming new members from a wider area now, and are being invited to perform outside the Rushmoor district so we felt that should be reflected in our name. In addition, the “Odd Fellows” nickname was a bit confusing for anyone who didn’t know our history.” He added “What hasn’t changed though is the ethos of the choir that has been with us since 1960. It is the club-like atmosphere of men having fun singing well and raising money for local charities.”
The choir is now opening its doors to any man interested in having a go at singing by holding a free “Pie and a Pint and a Song” taster evening at Camberley Heath Golf Club on Monday 29th April. There is no audition to join in, no need to be able to read music and everyone will enjoy a free drink, a snack and a short singing session guided by the choir’s exceptional Musical Director, Philip Viveash-Brainch. Alternatively, anyone is welcome to visit a rehearsal – they take place each Monday evening from 7:30 p.m. at North Camp Methodist Church Hall in Farnborough. Further details for the taster evening or rehearsals are on the choir’s new website at https://www.hampshireandsurreyhillsmenschoir.org.uk
- First outing for new songs at Sindlesham
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Date Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024
For our first performance of 2024 we stepped outside of the borders of Hampshire and Surrey into Royal Berkshire. The concert was hosted by the Berkshire Freemasons at the Masonic Centre in Sindlesham on Saturday 17th February. The concert raised about £1,000 to support the choir and The Friends of Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, a nursing and care home
A full audience were treated to our first public performance of three new musical items, the cowboy song "Don't Fence Me In", the sea shanty "Leave Her Johnny Leave Her" and "Silent Worship" from Handel's opera Tolomeo - a truly wide range of musical styles! Other items included a number of old favourites - "With A Voice Of Singing", "Speed Your Journey", "Yesterday", "What A Wonderful World", "Working Man", "American Trilogy", "What Would I Do Without My Music", "Morte Christe", "Londonderry Air" and rounded off with a rousing performance of "When The Saints Go Marching In".
The concert also featured guest performances by guitarist and singer Richard Costello who sang a selection from artists such as Johnny Cash, Simon and Garfunkle, The Beatles, and Don McLean.
- Choir raises over £1,000 for Farnham ASSIST
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Date Posted: Mon, 22 Jan 2024
Presenting the donation, choir Chairman, Peter Viveash, said “We are very glad to support Farnham ASSIST, as many of our members are only too aware of the potential dangers of isolation as you get older”. Farnham ASSIST is a charity that has for over 20 years offered support to older people in Farnham who live alone or are carers who may become isolated from friends and neighbours. It offers a range of events and activities for around 200 people in the area.
Accepting the donation on behalf of Farnham ASSIST, Rodney Bates said “We are absolutely delighted to partner with the Choir for their Christmas Concert and extremely grateful for their support towards our local charity. This money will directly go towards supporting older people in Farnham living alone and enabling opportunities to enjoy activities together. Many of our clients and volunteers also came to the concert and greatly enjoyed the evening. We would like to thank the Choir and wish them well in their future community endeavours.”
The Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men's Choir is kicking off the new year with a major focus on recruiting men singers to join in the fun of singing in a choir. With three new members already in the first couple of weeks the future is looking bright, but anyone interested is welcome to come along to a rehearsal to try it out – there is no audition or need to even read music. For details of when and where the rehearsals are, or for further information about joining the choir, email mensingingtogether@gmail.com.YouTube Video URL:
