Welcome

Ashington & District
Male Voice Choir

A community choir with a rich tradition

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The Baritone Line

You will find below some of the views of the Baritone Line of Ashington & District Male Voice Choir.

This should help you decide why it is a great and rewarding social experience to join this local community choir.

Alan Beattie – How I Joined the Choir

‘I had longed talked about joining ADMVC but never done anything about it for one reason or another.

I think my initial perception of what a choir does, might be similar to what many people think, a group of ‘older chaps singing some old-fashioned songs’. Nothing could be further from the truth! For a start, the age range is considerable and several of our younger members still fit in work and family along with the Choir. Members come from a wide range of backgrounds and the music we sing spans many different genres, including the rich heritage of the Northeast, its coal mining past, its people, the sea and other popular songs.

I have now been a member of ADMVC for almost two years, have taken part in many performances and concerts, and can’t imagine not being in the Choir. The camaraderie is great and there is always good craic on rehearsal nights.

Overall health is impacted positively by singing and being part of a choir with a history dating back from 1916 is very interesting.

I don’t read music, but my music knowledge has expanded considerably since joining. There are no auditions, and you are helped along the way by the lads around you.

Why not give it a try, rehearsals are 7.00 to 9.00pm at Bomersund Welfare every Thursday evening. There is even beer afterwards, if you want, in the local pub, and your partner will get a night of peace and quiet!’

Kevin Lillie - View from Tyneside

‘Having lived in Southeast Northumberland and worked for a while in Ashington, I know and have experienced the camaraderie and friendship of the local communities.

Singing with my wife in two mixed choirs on Tyneside and now living there, I was keen to maintain my singing experience in male voice. After joining Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, I knew that I had made a good choice!

As soon as I came along to one of my trial rehearsals, I was made so welcome and that has continued – they are a great bunch of guys from different backgrounds. I also liked the varied selection of music ranging from traditional male voice to popular songs to Tyneside and a good choice of local numbers about coal mining.

Ashington was at one time classed as being ‘The largest coal mining village in the world.’ The Choir has a strong tradition for male voice singing with nearly 110-years’ experience. Why don’t you come and join us to be part of the future and highlight the area through singing!’

I am also pleased that I have been able offer some of my professional experience to support the activities of the Choir.'

Tony Martin - Father and Son joining together in song

'I’ve been a member of the choir for 4 years and it thrills me to sit next to my dad at rehearsals and concerts, he’s 91 and has been a member for nearly 25 years and is still doing well. We’re both in the "powerhouse” baritone section of the choir, neither of us read music but it’s amazing what you can learn even after a short period time.

There’s nothing like standing in front of an audience, singing a combination of modern, traditional, songs from our North East mining heritage and afterwards seeing the audiences delight and getting great feedback whilst at the same time raising lots of money for good charitable causes.

Why do I do it? quite simply because it’s great hobby, it’s uplifting, it helps take the stress away if you’ve had a bad day.

What would I say to anyone thinking of joining?, even if you don’t think you have a strong voice just come along, don’t be afraid, you don’t need to read music, there are no auditions, no pressure and you’ll meet a fine bunch of like minded men.'

Neil Rule - Singing to Enjoy and Relax

A friend of mine was an existing choir member and he’d kept asking me to come along, he thought it would be something I might enjoy. I’ve never sang in a choir before, I don’t read music and I’ve not been taught music, but I do enjoy singing - usually after a beer or six.

So, he convinced me to come along to the annual concert and I was blown away! The sound of a male voice choir in full flow is like nothing else – and the music repertoire was surprisingly varied, it wasn’t all church music but was a mixture including some local North East songs and some well known ones from musicals.

I turned up to the next practice evening and needless to say I was immediately hooked. I was welcomed from the start and although most choir members are older guys there are a few of us "young-uns” and the craic is always canny…..

For me being part of a choir is something completely different to anything I’ve done before. I run a manufacturing company and work in a fairly pressured environment so being in a crowd and one of a group is an incredible release for me and great for my mental health and wellbeing. I’ve found that singing in a choir has been an incredible release and really quite calming. It’s just a time to decompress, enjoy and relax.

Regardless of your musical ability I’d thoroughly recommend joining this choir to any guy.

Forthcoming Events

Saturday 3 May 25 2:00 pm
VE Day - Quayside Festival

Provisional (Details to follow)

Venue: Blyth Harbour

More details...

Saturday 17 May 25 7:00 pm
Annual Concert

Details to be confirmed

Venue: St. John's Church, North Seaton

More details...

Saturday 7 Jun 25 7:00 pm
The 80 VEP Concert

Charity Concert (Details to be confirmed)