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

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:

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.

January 18, 2024 – At their recent Monday rehearsal evening The Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir welcomed Rodney Bates, Manager of Farnham ASSIST, to receive monies donated by the audience at their Christmas concert in December. With Gift Aid included this totalled over £1,000. The concert featured several Christmas themed songs from the choir and guest performances from the St. Lawrence Chobham Handbell Ringers lent an even more festive air to the proceedings. It culminated in a joint performance of Ding! Dong! Merrily On High which was very enthusiastically received. This was the choir’s first major outing under the leadership of new Musical Director, Philip Viveash-Brainch, who also delighted the audience by even teaching them to sing a piece in the round.

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.