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Honeysuckle support families grieving the loss of a baby.
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Palm House, Sefton Park 2018
Wavertree Town Hall - courtesy of the Liverpool Echo
We stand with Ukraine
See the Liverpool Echo article about our Concert in Wavertree Town Hall
A VERY WARM WELCOME FROM THE LIVERPOOL MALE VOICE CHOIR.
Formed in 1911, we are the only traditional male-voice choir in Liverpool, and one of the longest-standing choirs in the City.
We started out as Wavertree Imperial Glee Union, then changed our name to The Wavertree Male Voice Choir and then in 1937 became The Liverpool Male Voice Choir. more info
In 2015 the choir was admitted to 'The Freedom Roll of Associations & Institutions of The City of Liverpool'. This prestigious award was granted in recognition of our cultural contribution to the City and our long-running ethos for fund-raising in support of countless charities and worthwhile causes. Being awarded the 'Freedom of the City of Liverpool' is a huge honour and we proudly continue to share our love of music performing to the people of Merseyside (and beyond). The "Freedom of the City" status gives us the right to drive cattle down Dale Street providing we are singing as we go; but seriously, it means that we are invited to attend civic functions and official events. Whenever possible we are choral ambassadors of the city and hosts for visiting choirs from other parts of the UK and abroad.
We currently have around 35 choristers, headed by our Musical Director - Richard Marshall, our President - Pauline Metcalfe and our Chairman - Mike Gollop. Our seven strong Committee is the guiding force of the choir.
Our repertoire comprises a wide range of songs, show songs, spirituals, operatic choruses, hymn tunes, shanties and more, thus providing plenty of variety to satisfy our audiences. This means there is something for everyone. Typically we perform around 12 to 14 concerts throughout the year, concluding with carol concerts in December, one of which is in partnership with a children's choir.
Across the UK our concert venues have been diverse and interesting, ranging from prestige concert halls, like St George's Hall, the Philharmonic Hall, town halls, cathedrals, churches, civic centres and theatres. We also sing at private functions such as garden parties and weddings. We regularly appear at Sefton Park's Palm House.
We are very honoured and delighted to receive the philanthropic support of our choir patrons. We're exceedingly grateful for their patronage and acknowledge and appreciate their valued contribution to our endeavours.
If you are interested in seeing us perform, then come along to one of our concerts Or visit us at one of our rehearsals on Monday evenings at Oakvale URC Hall, Broadgreen Road, Broadgreen L13 5SH. If you want you can always contact us directly for specific enquiries. There are very few Mondays throughout the year when we don't meet to rehearse.
Concert Diary
DirectionsToConcerts
Previous Years
Concert Information
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Rehearsal Location
Monday evenings - 7:30pm - Oakvale United Reform Church, Broadgreen L13 5SH ( carpark's postcode )
End of the motorway by the Rocket flyover
Meet some of the choir
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"Although choral music had played a huge part in my school, college and working life, it was not until 1981 that I developed a love for the male voice and its repertoire. The Liverpool Male Voice Choir was one of nineteen choirs taking part in ‘A Festival of Massed English Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall and, being involved in a small part of the admin, I was fortunate enough to attend some regional rehearsals as well as the final concert. Hearing the massed choirs sing male voice classics such as Soldiers Chorus, Gwahoddiad and Morte Christe made a lasting impression and left me wanting more. The Liverpool Male Voice Choir was on my doorstep and so the friendship began; the rest is History.
Fast forward to 2016 when the invitation to become choir President took me completely by surprise; I was indeed privileged to be asked and am honoured to be associated with this truly talented, enthusiastic and caring group of gentlemen.
Now in 2024 the choir looks forward to celebrating its 113th anniversary. I thank the gentlemen most sincerely for the stirling work they have put in over the years on behalf of so many charities in and around Liverpool. They can look back proudly at a job well done safe in the knowledge that their energy and commitment will ensure the choir continues to thrive and flourish in years to come."
Pauline Metcalfe
President -
Having taught in secondary schools for over a decade, Richard is currently back as a student of theology as he trains to be a Minister. Richard joined the Liverpool Male Voice Choir in November 2022, singing in the top Tenor section. His first concert was a fundraising concert at the Liverpool Women’s hospital, as the choir serenaded patients, staff and visitors with Christmas carols and classics.
Singing has always been a passion for Richard, beginning with singing in school choirs and taking the leading roles in musical theatre productions – most notably in his roles as Fagin and Joseph. He worked his way up through the ranks of his local county youth choir, eventually becoming the tenor tutor. This was followed by a period as the Deputy MD of the Stoke-on-Trent Male Voice Choir and then appointment as MD of a mixed voice choir, of 30 members, called Mixed Harmony.
In the Autumn of 2023, he was asked if would consider becoming the choir’s MD following the stepping-down of Neil Kirkwood. After leading some rehearsals and covering for the accompanist, Richard was appointed as Musical Director in October 2023.
“I’m very honoured and excited to be leading the choir. I look forward to building on the choir’s impressive history and to continue the proud heritage of male choral singing in this city.”
Richard Marshall
Musical Director -
Neil has just stepped away from leading the choir - handing the baton over to Richard Marshall at our concert in October 2023. He was offered Life Membership of the choir for his Service and Dedication to the Choir.
A retired Maths teacher; Neil joined the Liverpool Male Voice Choir in March 1986, singing in the Second Tenor section. He became a stalwart of the choir, also featuring as a soloist, usually singing items from musicals or accompanying himself on guitar. In the Autumn of 2015 he was asked if he would consider becoming the choir’s MD and after leading a number of rehearsals and concerts he was appointed as Musical Director in February 2016.
Ably supported by our accompanist, Neil has sought to inculcate excellent choral practice within the group, to encourage the individual performers within the choir, and to produce concert programmes to project the excellent musical ability of the choir whilst also exhibiting variety and maintaining the traditions of male voice singing.
"It has been my honour and privilege to lead the choir as Musical Director for 7½ years."
Neil Kirkwood
Retired Musical Director -
Harry is a retired Industrial Chemist and from some of his stories he is lucky to manage to get to retirement and manage to get to retirement with all his limbs still attached.
“After over fifty years of singing with male voice choirs, highlights spring to mind. Foremost is the comradeship enjoyed by the choristers, either when singing together at the local church, or on stage at the Royal Albert Hall with 1,000 voices or the terraces at Cardiff Arms Park with 10,000 voices and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
My personal highlight is a musical evening arranged in May 1997 to celebrate my retirement from full time work. I wanted to share this milestone with my family and friends and my fellow choristers. The evening took the form of a concert with Musical Director Mr Derek Sadler guiding us through the programme with my personal choice of musical items, in an amusing “This is Your Life” story. I have highlights of this occasion on video, a programme I certainly don’t mind repeating.”
Harry Riley
Top Tenor
Harry always wears a tie - especially for his 90th birthday -
Ian is a keen motorcyclist, owning three motorcycles at the same time. Pictured above is his 1998 Honda VFR800fi. His FJR that has all the toys - Cruise Control, Auto Suspension – ABS. Traction Control, Heated Grips the list goes on ...
"Modified the bars to give me a more upright riding position. It features a V4 engine with unique features based on Honda’s famous VFR750 RC45 race machines. During Covid, it was just getting rolled out, polished, engine run for a few minutes and put back in the garage. Thank goodness for the vaccine and Wales open again.
I have been singing in the Liverpool Male Voice Choir since September 1992. I started off singing in the Baritone section, but latterly I have moved to the Bass section to better aid the balance of the choir."
Ian McCartney
Bass Soloist
Purchase Our CDs
£6 ( including P & P )
The above paintings by Mike Gollop © were created to augment the slideshow that accompanied the WW1 concerts.
All our commemorative WW1 concerts, eleven in total, were performed over 5 years between 2014 to 2018, on, or close to Armistice day
CD Recorded live at Holy Trinity Church, Rosemary Lane, Formby
Narrated by our Chairman Mike Gollop to create a cleverly crafted dialogue which joins up all the songs, poems and letters that have been read by members of our choir. It creates a strong local resonance pulling on north west knowledge and experiences of the First World War and we are justifiably proud of the result.
Post Production facilities provided by Scratch Studio Liverpool.
Cover Design, photography and insert: The Wirral Press, 117 Brighton Street, Wallasey CH44 8DT
All rights of the producer and the owner of the work reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this recording is strictly prohibited. Please write to the choir if you wish to gain written permission to use any material in this manner.
This was just one of the many accolades :- I just want to say what a fantastic concert it was last night. The singing was tremendous, the poetry deeply moving (especially the Vera Brittain) the script and narration set the perfect tone. You and the choir did the memory of all those lost in the War a great service; it was a great pleasure to experience the concert. I have been told that the evening at the Unity Theatre was equally special, having had feedback from my friends and the Pals relatives who attended, they were unanimous in their praise.
Thanks to all. Tony Wainwright, Liverpool Pals Association.
£6 ( including P & P )
A collection of Christmas carols and songs by the Liverpool Male Voice Choir.
© 2019 Liverpool Male Voice Choir recorded live at Oakvale United Reformed Church, Edge Lane Drive, Liverpool.
Post production facilities provided by Scratch Studio Liverpool - scratchstudioliverpool@gmail.com - www.scatchstudioliverpool.com
Cover design and insert: © The Wirral Press, 117 Brighton Street CH44 8DT - www.thewirralpress.com - info@thewirralpress.com
1. Silent Night - Austrian carol by Gruber & Mohr. Arr. by D. A. Sadler
2. Deck the Hall - Welsh 16th century Air. Arr. by David Willcocks
3. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head - Music and words by Edmund Walters
4. Still, Still, Still - Music and words by Norman Luboff
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Music by Phillips Brooks. Arr. by Bob Chilcott
6. The Angel Gabriel - Music by Baring-Gold. Arr. by Edgar Pettman
7. Hallelujah - Music by Leonard Cohen
8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Music Martin and Blane. Arr. by K. J. Dinham
9. The Christmas Song ( Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ) - Soloist: lan McCartney, Music and words by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
10. I saw three ships - Traditional 17th century English carol ( composer unknown )
11. Born is the Light of the World - Soloist: lan McCartney, Music and words by Sally Deford
12. The Calypso Carol - Music and words by Michael. A. Perry. Ar. D.A. Sadler
13. The Holly and the lvy - Music by John Gardner
14. We wish you a Merry Christmas - Traditional 16th century West Country carol
Once you have made your purchase - Please send an email telling us :-
- which CD you would like
- the address to which you would like the CD delivered,
- and if it is a present; any special message that you would like to accompany the CD.
- which CD you would like
- the address to which you would like the CD delivered,
- and if it is a present; any special message that you would like to accompany the CD.
Photo Gallery
Philharmonic Dining Rooms - November 2019.
Ian Preston's garden party - June 2019
Collecting over £1,000 for Marie Curie
On Saturday 23rd May 1981 the choir took part in a massed
concert of 1,000 English male voices and the Royal Doulton Band at the Royal Albert Hall.
The concert was conducted by our President at the time - Edmund Walters.
We were to return for a second concert 2 years later.
This is the Kagawa Male Voice Choir from Japan, who joined us in Liverpool Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas at the Pier Head for the magnificent concert.
The concert was on 13th August 1998. We are assured on good authority that the Japanese lettering means “Voices in harmony”.
Your Choir contacts
Mike Gollop - Chairman
Mike moved to Merseyside from his native South Wales in 1984 and has been with the choir ever since. He's worked on committee and rose the top position in 1991.Mike is very hard working and enthusiastic leader of our choir. He has been instrumental in organising large massed choir concerts at the Philharmonic Hall, Preston Guildhall and many other prestigious UK venues where LMVC has joined forces with other choirs. He sings in the Top Tenor section and has performed solo's, duets etc since 1985.
Mike is also an amateur artist and above are five examples of his work that formed part of the backdrop to our WW1 concerts.
His contact details are :- 40 Stapleton Road, Formby, LIVERPOOL L37 2YT
michaelgollop@yahoo.co.uk To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
01704 877852 & 07598 324546 - For personal messages - For official choir business please go through the Secretary
Chris Farley - Secretary
Chris joined the choir in 2015 and became Secretary in June 2022. He is a retired Project engineer married with 3 grown up sons, a step daughter and a stepson. He has been a scout leader for 25 years and plays golf for the Lee Park Golf Club Seniors. However most of his time now is spent babysitting his 9 grandchildren.All enquiries about concert bookings are made through Chris.
His contact details are :- 7 Parkwood Road, Woolton, Liverpool L25 4RJ
cgf2k@hotmail.com To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
07719 074 543
In June 2022 Chris said :- "I would like to thank Mr Ray Jennings for having done a stirling job since 2007. I look forward to serving the choir in my new capacity and resuming our concert activities as we climb out of the Covid slump that we all experienced."
Chris Farley
Secretary - Second Tenor
Greg McCormack - Treasurer and Publicist
Greg joined the choir in 2016 and became Treasurer in May 2019. He is also the Publicist and WebMaster for the Choir.
His contact details are :- 63 The Rock, Helsby, Cheshire WA6 9AS
grmccormack@googlemail.com To contact the choir please use LiverpoolMaleVoiceChoir@gmail.com ( as more than one person can respond to your email )
07944 296136
Other members of the Committee
Ian Preston
Ian Pettifer
Pete Rigby
Frank McKay
Bill McMahon