We can provide a concert to raise money for your charity!
Icknield Male Voice Choir is Birmingham's oldest Choir having been formed in 1900. It is currently under the baton of Steve Roche and has performed at many venues around the Midlands and in Malta, Ireland and the USA. The 2020 Annual cocert was held in Symphony Hall in Birmingham, we have many other concerts during the year - mostly in aid of local charities.
IF YOU ARE MALE AND LIVE IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA WHY NOT COME AND JOIN US ? We rehearse near to the city centre, on tuesday evenings, at the Grimshaw room. The Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir sing many different styles of music from popular songs to opera, and of course some of the old favourites &"evergreens", so there is usually something for everyone to enjoy at our concerts. our aim is entertainment for all ! it isn't all hard work, we also have regular social events.
Towards the end of the 19th century Quakers, such as Cadbury, found the Early Morning Adult Schools, offering the opportunity for adults to acquire that education missed when they were younger. Following the success of this movement further activities were included - painting, leatherwork and music. Icknield Street School was part of this movement and in the early 1900 formed a Male Choir calling themselves "Icknield Street Early Morning Adult School Male Voice Choir". This choir performed many concerts within the Hockley area.
1910 saw the setting up of the Adult School Union Musical Festival with Cadburys furnishing a large Challenge Shield for the Male Voice Choir Competition. Under the expert guidence of conductor Mr. F. Norton the choir won their first of many trophies.
At the outbreak of the 1st World War the choirs activities were suspended, reforming again during 1919/20. A local businessman Mr. Albert Lancaster, took up to baton, and by the end of 1921 the choir were performing 30 -40 concerts a year with their accustomed high standard and extensive repertoire. During this time there was little Sunday entertainment, Cinemas were not allowed to open unless for charity. The Sunday Observance Society would arrange concert, and the Choir were to be heard at many of the local Cinemas and Theatre Palaces on Sunday evenings. The Choir regularly entertained the inmates at Winson Green Prison who were a very apppreciative (if captive) audience. The Choir under Albert Lancaster entered many Musical Festivals winning many competitions, until at the age of 65 Mr. Lancaster had to retire. The Choir had anticipated this and had been grooming Mr. Harold Winters to pick up the baton.
Thus the Choir continued, winning more trophies until the outbreak of the 2nd World War. During this time small groups would continue to perform concerts. At the end of hostilities the Choir re-assembled and were happy to be singing once again. They resumed their former greatness with successes at Tamworth, Bournville and Leamington Festivals to name but a few. Their highlight was being asked to perform a concert in Wales (Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire). Sadly Harold Winters died shortly before this event but his inspiration lived on, the Choir did not let him down.
Due to the changes in Education Departments and Adult Evening Classes the Choir had many homes over the next few years.
In the late 50's the Choir changed its name to The Icknield Male Voice Choir, still keeping their contacts with their roots. This time saw the arrival of both Les Beech and Michael Adams as conductors.
Following further changes in the Evening Institutes and ever increasing fees the Choir were on the move again, ending up at Elmwood Church, Hamstead Hill, until 2001, when another move brought them to the Grimshaw Room near Birmingham City Centre. A few notable performances more recently have included CHOIR OF THE WORLD at musée d'orsay in 1992 & 1993, a tour of ATLANTA in 1994, and a visit to Ilfracoombe in 2000
There have been many changes over the years, conductors,members etc, but one thing lives on from those early days - the love of making beautiful music.
This thriving, lively and friendly group still carry on those strong traditions under the expert baton of Steve Roche and ably accompanied by David Rosser.
Support for local charities is one of the reasons for our existence. Over the years we have helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities, either by performing concerts which the charities charge for, or by direct contributions from our own concerts and funds, Some of which include,
Recent Successes The recent concert at St. Mary's Church Pype Hayes, in aid of John Taylor Hospice raised over £1000 and ED Doolan praised the performance on Radio WM.
| Date | Concert |
|---|---|
| March 14th | Perry Hall Methodist Church, Rocky Lane Perry Barr. |
| Sat. March 21st. | Cancelled |
| Sat April 4th | United Reform Church, Pype Hayes |
| Sat April 25th 6pm | St. George’s Day Concert, Birmingham Symphony Hall. |
| Sat May 16th | Community Centre Boldmere |
| Sat June 6th | St. Annes Catholic Church, Bridle Lane, Streetly |
| Wed. June 10th | Walsall Town Hall, with Shelfield & Tamworth MVC's |
| Sat. June 20th | EAMVC, Lichfield Cathedral |
| Sat July 4th | St. Andrews Church, Handsworth Wood. |
| Sat. July 18th | St. Marys Church, Pype Hayes, 7.30 pm. (for Kidney Kids appeal) |
| Sat Sept.5th | Wilde Green United Reform Church, (for Leonard Cheshire) 7.30pm |
| Sat Sept.12th | St. Martin’s Church Bullring Concert, Birmingham (part of ARTS FEST Weekend) |
| Sat Sept 26th | B A R R A Service, St. Martins. Bull Ring Birmingham. 11.00 A.M. |
| Sat Oct 10th | Annual Concert, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire. 7:00 pm |
| Sat Nov 14th | Edward Campion School |
| Sat. Nov.28th | Trinity Methodist Church, Church Road, Netherton 7.30pm |
| Sat. Jan 26th | Private Function, Holy Name Great Barr. |
| Sat March 8th | Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich. |
| Sat. April 5th | Earlswood Methodist Church. |
| Sat. April 26th | St. George's Day Concert, Symphony Hall, 6pm - 9pm |
| Sat. May 17th | Aston Parish Church 7.30 pm. |
| Sat. June14th | Beeches Evangelical Church 7.30 pm. |
| Sat. June 28th | EAMVC Concert. Birmingham Town Hall, 7.00 pm. |
| Sat. July 5th. | Solihull Parish Church, ( Wedding ) |
| Sat. July 19th | St. Marys Church, Pype Hayes, 7.30 pm. |
| Sat Sept.13th | St. Nicholas Church Kings Norton, 7.30 pm |
| Sat Sept 27th | B A R R A Service, St. Martins. Bull Ring Birmingham. 11.00 A.M. |
| Sat Oct 11th | Annual Concert, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire. 7:00 pm |
| Oct 15th to 22nd | Concerts in Ireland |
| Sun Nov.22nd | Warley Men in Concert, West Bromwich Town Hall. 7.00 pm. |
| Sat. Dec. 13th | St. Chads Cathedral, Birmingham, FLAVOURS OF CHRISTMAS 7.30 pm. |
| Sat April 21st | St. George's Day Concert Symphony Hall 12 noon. |
| Sat April 28th | Private function,.Wedding 2:30 PM |
| June 16th | Concert for St. Annes Streetly Bridle Lane Streetly. 7:30pm |
| June 30th 2007 | EAMVC Concert, Tewkesbury Cathedral. Evening |
| July 14th | John Taylor Hospice St. Mary's Church Pype Hayes. 7:30 |
| Sept 1st | St. Andrews Church, Handsworth Wood |
| Sept 15th | Kings Community Baptist Church Oldbury 7:30. pm |
| Sat. Oct 6th | B A R R A Service, St. Martins. Bull Ring Birmingham. 11.00 A.M. |
| Sat Oct 13th | Annual Concert, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire. 7:00 pm |
| Sun Nov.11th | Rememberance Day Parade. Birmingham Centenary Square. |
| Mon. Nov. 12th | Joint Concert with White Russian Band, Walsall Town Hall, 8:00 pm |
| Dec. 1st | Delves Baptist Community Church, Walsall. 8.00 pm. |
| Dec.22nd | Limberlost Club, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. |
| Monday 20th March | Drayton Manor - Private function |
| Sat April 8th | Coleshill United Church - 7.30pm. |
| Sunday April 23rd | St. George's Day Celebration - Symphony Hall 5.00pm |
| Sat May 6th | St Annes Catholic Church, Bridal Lane, Streetly |
| Sat June 3rd | St. Pauls, Hockley 7:30. with Bravura for Key Hill Cemetry |
| Sat June 17th | English Association MVC. Birmingham University Great Hall. Tickets £8.50 |
| Sat July 1st | Aston Parish Church with Lesley Delo. In aid of Pancreatic Cancer |
| Sat July 8th | Hatherton Church Walsall 125th Anniversary |
| Sat. September 16th | Kings Community Baptist Church Oldbury |
| Sat. October 14th | Autumn Concert, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham City Centre, 7.00pm |
| Thurs. December 15th | Little Aston BUPA Home (Private Carol Concert.) |
| Thurs.Dec 1st. | Drayton Manor (Private function) |
| Wed. November 23rd. | Walsall Town Hall with Shelfeild and Cannock Chase M.V.Choirs |
| Wed. November 23rd. | Walsall Town Hall with Shelfeild and Cannock Chase M.V.Choirs |
| Sun. November13th | Remembrance Parade Centenary Square |
| Sat. November 5th | Norman Leaker Centre. Hall Green. 3 - 5pm |
| Sat. October 22nd | Adrian Boult Hall. Autumn Concert 7pm |
| Sat. October 15th | Hundreds in Harmony 3.Symphony Hall |
| Sat. July 9th | Elmwood Church. Handsworth Wood. 7:30 |
| Sat. June 18th. | Tewkesbury Abbey English Association MVC |
| Sat. March 19th | Fantabulous Concert NIA, Rotary Organisation 100 years: 1000 voices. |
| Sat. April 23rd | Symphony Hall. St. George's Day Concert 11:30 am |
| Sat. May 14th | Curdworth Church 7:30 |
| Fri. May 20th | Purdue Choir, America, and Second City Sound Ladies Barber Shop choir.7:30. Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. |
| Sat. June 4th | The Paddock Club, Handsworth Wood |
| Sun 14th. November | Rememberance parade, Centenary Sq. B'ham |
| Sat. 16th. October | Annual Concert, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham |
| Sat. September 18th. | United Reform Church, 7.30pm |
| Sat July | St. Chads Cathedral |
| Sat. 26th June | Rotary Club, Perry Barr |
| Mon. 21st June | Symphony Hall, Friends of Birmingham Concert. |
| Sat. 15th May | Longbridge Methodist Church |
| Sat. 8th May | Curdworth, St Nicholas's Church |
| Fri. 23rd. April | Symphony Hall, Birmingham. St.Georges Day Concert. 12 - 2pm |
| Sat. 20th. March | St.Johns, Ladywood |
| Sat. 6th March | Central Hall, Coventry |
| Sat.February 14th | St Mathews, Great Barr |