Birmingham ICKNIELD

MALE VOICE CHOIR

Outlines of the history of the Icknield Male Voice Choir

A BRIEF HISTORY

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.

"PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES" 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. Shield winners 1934

Icknield Street Early Morning Adult School Male Voice Choir, Shield winners in 1934.
Note: Our concert secretary Mr. Stewart Bissell recently managed to trace this shield and there is a Website detailing more of its history HERE

"WE'LL MEET AGAIN"

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. "THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING" 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 Cardiff Arms Park 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.

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