Singing day attracts fresh voices for Shropshire choir
A choral group that has been entertaining audiences for almost 76 years held a successful open day in a move to keep the tradition going.
Leaders of Newport (Salop) & District Male Voice Choir hold an annual singing day as part of efforts to attract fresh vocalists.
The choir that has been running since 1943 is holding its own with 40 members, but hopes to draw around 10 more singers to join in with concert appearances at venues across the county.
Led by the choir's director of music Vivian Redfern the special taster session held at Trinity Church attracted four new faces to the delight of the organisers. Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 7.30pm at the Wellington Road church.
Choir secretary Alan Wright says: "We put on the singing days as an invitation to people to come and sing with the choir and to experience it for themselves. It went really well as four newcomers came which we're really pleased about.
"All male voice choirs are struggling to attract new people. It's not trendy these days. Five or six decades ago a middle aged man didn't have a lot to do and many joined a choir. Nowadays there is so many other pursuits to get involved in, even 70 year olds have a variety of interests or people may be helping with grandchildren so its not so easy."
At the event they rehearsed new items for the repertoire including Nat King Cole's hit ballad When I Fall In Love.
The next performance will be a joint concert with Shifnal & District Male Voice Choir at The Red House, in High Street, Albrighton, on Saturday(16) at 7.30pm.
More details about the choir is available on 01952 813267.
