The eleventh Cornish International Male Choral Festival – the biggest event of its kind in the world – got off to a splendid start last Thursday 2^nd May. There were a number of concerts but I am writing about only one which took place in the lovely Methodist Church in Penzance.

This regional Gala Concert was ably compered by Janet Eathorne and was supported by Penzance Town Council.

The concert which took place in front of a good sized and appreciative audience featured four “acts”, two local and two visiting choirs.

The visitors were Alcester Male Voice Choir who sang acapella under the direction of MD Judith Land BEM FRSA MA and Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir under the direction of Mary A Walsh. The regular accompanist for the Dublin Welsh, John Shera, was not able to be here for the concert and so David Caredig-Evans from Mousehole Male Voice Choir stood in for him. David did not see the music until shortly before the concert began and so was almost sight-reading but still did his usual brilliant performance and we are all very grateful to him for saving the day.

Alcester Male Choir celebrate their 50^th Anniversary this year and very remarkably, it was founded by the present Musical Director Judith Land.

The local choirs were Mousehole Male Voice who hosted the event under the direction of Stephen Lawry and accompanied by Annette Turton and Buccas Four who are a quartet comprising Charles Parke, Graham Warren and David Williams - three choristers from Mousehole Male Choir and their musical director Stephen Lawry who have been singing together since 2001.

There was a little consternation when it was realised that the three larger choirs were all planning to sing “Danny Boy”, albeit by three different arrangers, but it was felt this might be a bit much and the Dublin Welsh and Alcester choirs agreed to sing alternatives leaving the Mousehole version arranged by Mark Hayes and accompanied by Maureen Trevorrow on flute as well as Annette on piano as the only version sung in this concert.

After an evening of highly enjoyable and very varied music we retired to the Astro Park where the Mousehole Choir Ladies Committee had provided a buffet supper which was absolutely delightful and we are very grateful to them for their (as usual) wonderful efforts.

Our grateful thanks go to the authorities at Penzance Methodist Church for allowing us to use their venue and to Penzance Town Council for their support. I know that every chorister will also join me in giving our grateful thanks to all of the Musical Directors and accompanists without whose patient efforts, we would not be able to carry on bring our music to our audiences and to the audience themselves without whom our efforts would be pointless and these festivals would not be able to continue. Thank you all.

The next concert for Mousehole will be on 18th May at 7.30 in the Roman Catholic Church in Penzance.

John Musgrave

MMVC Publicity