GLASTONBURY MALE VOICE CHOIR
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The History Of The Choir
It was on February 1st 1923 that a meeting was held in St John's schoolroom to consider the creation of a male voice choir in Glastonbury. A committee was formed with a Mr Pocock as secretary and Mr George Durston as conductor. St John's schoolroom was booked as a practice venue at the rate of 2/6d (12 1/2) a week during winter months and 9d (4p) a week during the summer months. The first practice was held on February 16th with 20 members in the choir.
The choir gave their first concert on 29th July 1923 and right from the beginning it was decided that at all concerts no charge would be made for their services and that policy remained until as recent as 2005. Previously the conductor and accompanist gave voluntarily of their services and choir members paid a nominal annual fee to cover expenses. However, times have changed and since 2005 it has been necessary to turn to the professionals for musical direction, that has resulted in a performance charge to help cover expenses. The choir continues primarily to perform in support of national and local charities and fund raising organisations.
It is interesting to read in the minutes of a meeting in 1930 that the quality of the singing was discussed and that several young members of the choir should be asked to resign! However, this threat was not carried out and the choir continued going from strength to strength.
There is a record of a meeting on January 16th 1940 but the minutes were never ratified or discussed due to the effect of the Second World War when the choir was disbanded. The first meeting after the war was on 13th December 1945, George Durston was still conductor and a Miss Barbara Badman was invited to become the accompanist. It is said that she told the choir that she would come along for a couple of weeks to see how she got on!
In 1950 the choir won the "Golton Cup" in the open section at the Bournemouth Musical Competition Festival. That was one of many cups and competitions won during the choir's competitive years but sadly all cups and trophies were lost many years ago.
In September 1951 George Durston retired after 28 years as founder conductor and eventually died in 1958 but is still revered today as the man with so much vision and music. It was decided in 1953 for the choir to hold its own 'Ladies Night' Concert as an annual event, this continues today under the title of 'Guest Night' and held every May in the Glastonbury Town Hall.
1983 was the choirs Diamond Jubilee year and June Russell was invited to become President of the Glastonbury Male Voice Choir, she was delighted to accept.
Over the years the choir has had many good times and successes as well as those times when they seemed to be in real crisis, usually brought about by a fall in the number of members. Such a time was in 1986 when John Beauchamp became the seventh conductor to take up the baton. John learned his music theory at Trinity College and had been involved in music groups and choirs for many years. Under his leadership the choir bounced back and widened its appeal by sharing concerts with ladies choirs and in 2003 was invited to join massed choirs at the Colston Hall in Bristol. John Beauchamp continued as conductor for nineteen years, retiring in June 2005.
Returning in September 2005 after the summer break to a new conductor was to be a nervous period of expectation for everyone. A young man, Jamie Knights, became the eighth musical director. Jamie's music education culminated in gaining a first class BA (Hons) degree in 2004 at Bath Spa University.
In September 2006, after 61 years service, Barbara Durston (Nee Badman) retired as accompanist of the Glastonbury Male Voice Choir.
In February 2008, June Russell retired as President and has now been succeeded by Mr Bob May, one of the most senior members of the choir.
In June 2009, Jamie decided to leave us to continue his education. We are very pleased to welcome Tracey Hansford as our new musical director.
With the recent changes in conductor, a new period in the history of this long established choir has begun and long may it continue. The Glastonbury Male Voice Choir, probably the oldest male choir in Somerset has managed to survive where other choirs have not, due only to the continuing support of all it's members through out the years, and those that have come to listen.
