Mousehole Male Voice Choir is the second oldest Male Choir in Cornwall. It was formed in the autumn of 1909 by a small group of men and boys. They obtained the use of an old net loft in Mousehole, for a practice room with the purpose of learning carols to sing during the Christmas season. During its long and impressive history the Choir has grown from strength to strength and is well known internationally. In 1927 the Choir comprised thirty members, and in addition to giving concerts throughout the county it participated with success at music festivals. The Choir made its first radio broadcast in 1932 since when it has broadcast on well over 100 occasions, and in 1956 became the first Cornish Male Choir to appear on television. In 1995 the Choir featured on the B.B.C. programme "Songs of Praise" which was televised from Mousehole harbour. This was transmitted world wide and the Choir received many letters of appreciation. They have also appeared on television in "Highway," "Country File" and "Westcountry Live" and most recently on I.T.V.'s "Countrywise" at Christmas 2010.
In 1933 the Choir began its highly successful Summer Festival Concerts which over the years feature guest artistes prominent in the world of concert music. Past guests have included; Bryn Terfel, Benjamin Luxon, Valerie Masterson, Alan Opie, Dame Felicity Lott and Bonaventura Bottone. The Choir continues to make concert tours within the region and further afield. More recent destinations have included Germany, Brittany, Wales, The Royal Albert Hall London, and for the 90th anniversary year a tour to Grass Valley, San Francisco, U. S. A. The Choir has also had the honour of being the first and only Cornish Male Choir invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, as part of the Festival of Welsh Voices. The first gramophone recordings were made in 1960, and since then several recordings have been made demonstrating the strengths and subtleties of the Choir. 2009 was the Choir's Centenary, a significant milestone for both the Choir and the community. Many special events took place to celebrate including the publication of a Choir history book, a workshop led by Alan Simmons, and a special Flower Festival, and concerts at midsummer. At Christmas a commemorative stone plaque was unveiled close to the building where the choir first met in November 1909. In 2010 the Cornish Gorsedd awarded the choir with the prestigious Bournemouth Cornish Association Cup for the best music group in Cornwall.
In June 2011 two representatives of the choir were presented to her Majesty the Queen on her visit to Penzance. This was in recognition of the many thousands of pounds the choir has collected for various charities since its formation in 1909.
In 2012 the choir were delighted to perform a lunch time concert at the York Minster in Yorkshire, and they also sang to the Archbishop of Canterbury at a special service at St. Mary’s Church, Penzance.
In July 2016 the choir were highly privileged to sing at the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Hospice South West at Exeter Cathedral in the presence of the Duchess of Cornwall.
During 2016-2017 the choir entered competitions after an absence of over 20 years. It came first at the Camborne Music Festival and Cornwall Music Festival, Truro. At the International Male Voice Festival the choir came third in the large class and was voted the best overall Cornish Choir.
In April 2017 the choir sang at the opening of the Solomon Browne Memorial Hall, Mousehole, in the presence of H. R. H. the Duke of Kent.
In July 2022 the Choir were given the great honour performing to HRH
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on their Royal visit to
Mousehole.
The choir currently has a membership of 85 members.
Tim James - Secretary
