Current News
The choir currently consists of about thirty men who meet and rehearse every Tuesday evening in Waltham Cross, Herts. We always welcome new members, and encourage men to come along to any of our rehearsals to see if they enjoy singing with us. So if you would like to find out if singing is for you, please feel free to come along any Tuesday at 7.30 pm to The Friary, Holdbrook North, Waltham Cross, EN8 7RY.
The choir perform regular concerts for charitable purposes and also have an active social programme with wives and girlfriends being involved.
The Choir’s CD, "Songs from the Valleys – One" is now available at a price of £8.50, with a postage & packing charge of £0.50 per order Details of tracks etc are on the "About" Page. To order, complete the contact form on the contact page and write "CD" in the request box.
Last year we enjoyed a long May Bank Holiday weekend visit to the Isle of Wight, where we had a very successful concert in St John’s Church, Sandown, a visit to Osborne House, compliments of English Heritage and went to sing as pirates at The Isle of Wight Renaissance Festival where we were made to walk the plank! We had a successful trip to Weymouth in November when we performed at Warner’s Leisure Hotel at Cricket St Thomas, Somerset.
This year, as well as our normal full programme of concerts, we will be taking part in the National Association of Choirs’ concert in March at Hitchin, and will be spending a long weekend away at Eastbourne when we will be performing with The Rowland Singers in Worthing. (See concert page for details)
Our History
The choir was set-up as a "Singing for Pleasure" group thirteen years ago by Tony Moore, a community worker at Waltham Abbey Community Centre, Essex. Tony is now retired & is still the Choir’s Secretary.
The group consists of 28 men who thoroughly enjoy themselves by performing to the public. Their Wives / partners are their greatest supporters / critics. In 1998 they received a grant from the Millennium Lottery Fund towards equipment and uniforms that enabled them to entertain the elderly in day-centres and residential homes in the area.
Our repertoire is varied and very easy on the ear! We mainly sing popular songs, songs from the shows, a little bit of church music and popular opera, written between the start of the last century right up to this year! We are affiliated to the National Association of Choirs, from which we get advice and support.
Musical Director Dave Martin joined the choir at the beginning of 2004. He has had a great deal of experience as a semi-professional opera singer and also performed, directed, produced as well as M.D’d a number of amateur & semi professional musical shows across North London. At the beginning of his musical career he undertook a conducting course with Sir Adrian Boult. For 25 years he was Director of Music for Edmonton Baptist Church.
Accompanist Jane Kenton has been with the choir for six years. She is very talented, playing the church-organ and piano-accordion as well as the piano. Dave Pearson accompanies the choir as well with his Bass Guitar and that has added a new dimension to our music. We are looking for a drummer to add to our “band” – any offers?
Join Us or Book Us
The Choir takes its name from its catchment area for singers, which is from East Hertfordshire, West Essex and North London along the three valleys of the Lee, Stort & the Roding.
The group invites new members experienced singers or not, whether tenor, bass or baritone. Prospective members do not need to read music, however they must be able to sing in tune!
Rehearsals take place each Tuesday evening 7:30 to 9:30 pm. An introduction can be arranged by contacting the Hon Secretary via the link on the left.
If you would like to book the choir for a fund-raising concert, an in-house event, a wedding, a ladies night or a party etc, please give us good notice as bookings are quite heavy into 2010 at present
Why not let us help you to organise a fund-raising concert?
We can print posters tickets and programmes, leaving you to fill the seats.
