Colin Prow - Singing is a Hobby to Socialize
'I was asked why did you join the Choir: well, it was almost 15 years ago, but I always enjoyed singing particularly in my teens and early twenties and often sang in Working Men’s Clubs in Morpeth, Newcastle and Cramlington as well as on my many camping trips with a group of lads and even in Italy where I met my wife.
I love folk singing and ballads, but this was not the beginning, I sang with our church choir and in the boy’s brigade when I was a boy.
Work and family took most of my time through my working life and one night I was offered some tickets to see Lemington Male Voice Choir at the Playhouse in Alnwick. A performance I genuinely enjoyed together with Cora, my wife, however she took a coughing fit in the middle of a solo piece and received some disapproving looks from an elderly lady sitting in front of us, later we found out it was the old Duchess of Northumberland.
When I was coming up to retirement I was looking to have a hobby at which I could socialize, I had worked away from home for several years and didn’t have a big social network I saw an advert in a local publication and rang Bob Brind the then Chairman of ADMVC who was very reassuring and welcomed me to join in a rehearsal shortly afterwards.
I can’t say that I wasn’t nervous on that first night but placed in the tenor section I soon made friends with a couple of the guys. I don’t read music but when I hear a line played, I have a decent memory. In those days we had only three sections but now I sing in tenor two section.
Bob Brind became a great friend, and we enjoyed each other’s company on more than a few occasions over a drink and a chat at each other’s homes.
There is a great feeling when you entertain an audience who appreciate the choir vocals.
There is good camaraderie with all the guys, sadly as the years have passed some have gone to be succeeded by new faces all with a common goal to enjoy and perform choral music in the male voice tradition, be part and integral with our communities and help keep the heritage of the male voice choir alive.
I am very privileged to be a part of Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, to have celebrated 100 years of the choir in 2016 and to look forward to our 110 years anniversary in 2026.
Our Choir has helped raise thousands of pounds for various charities large and small over the years which is a very satisfying feeling.
For my sins I became Secretary almost twelve years ago and it fills my spare time, although it seems demanding every day, I would like to say thank you to all the guys who make this experience worthwhile and rewarding.
If you would like to join ADMVC then don’t hesitate, look us up on www.ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org.uk for more information.'
