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Present:

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1.2 American Trilogy will be added to the future repertoire 1.3 Ralph reported that after discussion about the proposed change to the order of standing in the choir, it has been agreed to leave it as it is for now. 1.4 Ralph said that the Sound of Silence had been dropped from the concert on May 15 because of shortage of time, but he was happy to include What would I do without my music and Angels. 1.5 Barry said that he was happy to accept the dropping of Cheese Rollers and said that Ken Shaw has written some words which David Jones has been given to put to a tune. This will require main committee approval

Programmes for July Concerts

CHURCHDOWN MALE VOICE CHOIRRef:0610

Minutes of Committee meeting held on Wednesday 2nd June 2010 at Shurdington Church Hall

Meirion Jones (in the chair), Mike Beresford, Terry Williams, Albert Pettit, Andrew Chalmers, Bill Beamish, Janet Acton,

1. Apologies.

Pete Wilson, Ralph Barnes,

2.Minutes of the meeting Ref: 0510

The minutes were accepted as a true record with the exception of minor errors. To be signed by the chairman when the errors are corrected.

3.Matters arising from the minutes.

0510/4Christmas Music The query is dealt with in the MSC report.

0510/15 Presentation of Plaque to John. Peter invited two long standing members to join him to present the plaque to John and it was agreed that the choir would pay the cost of the dinner.

4.Music Sub Committee report.

1 Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

1.1 Andrew tabled the list of 14 songs that he had proposed to cut but which it had been agreed to re- examine. After discussion it was agreed to re-instate these songs. It was also agreed to keep: How great thou art (55a), Pilgrim’s Progress (66 Curwen), Unchained Melody (146), Amazing Grace (136). This now takes the new repertoire to 96 songs.

2.1 The MSC were unhappy to hear that Hayley Thomas had been asked to sing in both halves of the St Barnabas Church concert. It was expressed that to use only one soloist in a concert signals to the audience that the choir considers that the soloist is sufficiently proficient to entertain them. On the last showings of her performances the committee thought that Hayley was not sufficiently experienced to use in this way. With the quality of soloists within the choir and now with the introduction of Mike Haines this would seem to be a retrograde step. Members were also disturbed that they had not been consulted in the choice of soloist and hopes that in the future they will be the

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first to discuss the soloist and to then make their recommendations to the main committee. The MSC also recommends that, in future we look for more soloists from within the choir. Also, Ralph is familiar with many local performers who could be used if we wish to broaden our search for soloists.

2.2 A list of songs was produced from which a programme for the next two concerts will be drawn. The organisers have requested Songs from the 60s, Bohemian Rhapsody and Gwahoddiad on Welsh, so these will be included. Others will be: Steal away, Sounds of Silence, Angels, What would I do without my music, Rhythm of Life, African Prayer, Where shall I be, Sing for your life, You’ll never walk alone, Old time religion and Morte Criste. Non Nobis Domine, Cwm Rhonda, March of the Peers and, with organ, The Lord’s Prayer, Deus Salutis. For the concert at Churchdown Community Centre it is hoped to bring in Sunset Poem, Amazing Grace, and, possibly Sit down you’re rocking the boat. Following the meeting it was understood that Irish Blessing has been requested by Ros for the Churchdown Concert.

3Christmas Programme

3.1 Ralph reported that he probably would not press for the introduction of Thank you for the music and Jesus Child he thought would be too difficult to justify spending the time on it. The song It’s Christmas will be put on order.

It was agreed that we would try to give the audience something new this year and to introduce some of the songs we used to sing.

The proposed list is: It’s Christmas, In the bleak mid winter,The Virgin Mary had a baby boy, Mary had a baby, O Come all ye faithful, In Dulci Jubilo. Hark the Herald Angels, We three kings, Silent Night – to be used for the procession with audience participation, Oh Holy Night, Shepherds’ Farewell, The Angel Gabriel

3.2 We would again use our own soloists and it is hoped that the Ladies Committee will perform something. It was suggested that it would be an attraction to use a young voice to sing one of the verses and perhaps a solo. Barry suggested 12 -year old Josh Cottell who is currently winning prizes both for his verse speaking and for his singing. It was thought that it would be a good thing to introduce another generation to male voice singing and is recommended that we use Josh. His mother was contacted and Josh could be available.

4 Music Library

4.1 Most of the changes proposed had been discussed in the Matters Arising. Ralph had particularly requested that we retain – Ave Verum Corpus, Psalm 23, Greg Abrahams’ Te Deum and By Cool Siloam. Andrew will arrange to have 85 copies of the Dinham version of Easter Hymn run off.

5 New Repertoire

5.1 Ralph gave Andrew a package of songs that he has collected over the years. Andrew will list all the songs and they will be discussed at future MSC meetings.

6.Any Other Business

1. It was asked when the choir can expect the new uniforms. Andrew replied that he will make a list of collar sizes etc, in the near future. 2. A question was asked about the future role of Bob Bonwick in the vocal exercises. Ralph said that he hoped to use Bob to give some variety to the exercises and to use his expertise about voice production. It was mentioned that one of the main problems with the choir is that many members are

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singing with their mouths almost closed. Ralph hoped that he and Bob would be working on that also. He added that exercises would be limited to 5 minutes. 3. A suggestion was made that a separate time could be used for lessons in voice production and general singing education. After discussion it was decided that this would be too difficult to organise. However it was recognised that something of this nature could be used in a recruitment programme. It was recollected that some years ago the choir had run such a programme and many members had joined as a result. It was recommended that the main committee consider this proposal. The main committee believed this proposal to be impractical.

The Committee accepted the MSC report apart from the comments in bold. 5. Treasurer’s Report.

Payment to David and Mike for concerts. I will pay each £25 unless otherwise informed. Accepted by Committee

Charity payments by concert organisers.

I have had no indication of monies passed to charities other than the Haiti concert. Does anyone have the information?

Choir Current 42 177 6080

Choir 60 Day

Reserve Fund

Social Current 55 294 5188

Social 60 Day

Cash in Hand (Ladies Committee Float)

BANK BALANCES

Balance @ 31/12/09

4,037.93

11,591.34

4,108.39

2,685.92

1,356.77

200.00

02/06/2010 14:29

Income 2009

8,519.58

80.96

235.00

9.78

Expenses 2009

4,500.39

Expenses & Transfers out

0.00

1,000.00

Transfers out

0.00

Transfers out

3,000.00

Transfers in

3,000.00

Total

1,000.00

Transfers in

1,000.00

Total

Current Balance £

5,057.12

14,672.30

4,108.39

23,837.81

1,920.92

2,366.55

200.00

4,487.47

I have decided that 6 years is enough as treasurer and that I will not be continuing after this year. This notice will hopefully give time to find a replacement.

The committee understood Terry’s position and thanked him for the number of years he had looked after the choir’s finances. They expressed the difficulty of finding a replacement to meet Terry’s standard but would try to find a replacement ASAP so that he or she would be able to shadow Terry until the takeover.

6. Secretary’s Report.

Blues and Royals Concert. Invitations have been accepted by Sir Henry Elwes, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, The Mayors of Cheltenham and Gloucester. Awaiting answers from Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, Chief Constable, and OC Ashchurch.

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Letter from Churchdown Choral Society asking for the use of our piano and staging for the final

rehearsal and performance of their Summer concert on 3rd July.

The Committee agreed that the Piano and staging could be used and we would arrange for the

piano to be tuned. Suggested a donation of £100 the same as last year.

Letter from Churchdown Community Association concerning our entry on their web-site.

This to be passed to Barry

Invoice from EAMVC requesting annual subscription of £70.00.

Agreed and passed to Treasurer for payment.

7. Concert report from Brian Rose.

2010 Programme. June 19th Cheltenham Town Hall EAMVC

July 16th St Barnabas Gloucester. All in order. St Barnabas has a brand new electric semi-grand piano. Hayley Thomas will sing in each half with Pam as her accompanist. Both their fees are covered by me. I will advise Barry of what the numbers are as soon as I know them. I shall see Hayley this week so I will know more then. Pam has the music.

Please note, as shown on the concert information sheet, that the organisers have requested certain items of music.

July 31st Community Centre.Rosalind’s charity now confirmed as Friends of Gloucester Shop Mobility. Presume normal arrangements for the CCC

Friday August 13th Bacon Theatre for the Gloucestershire Women’s Institute. Barry and Albert have all the information. Piano no problem.

September 18th Cheltenham Town Hall with the Blues and Royals Band. Saturday October 9th. Birmingham Symphony Hall. November 3rdCheltenham Town Hall with the Ghurkha Regiment Band. I have now put Dave Duckett’s daughter’s wedding on the programme. 2011 Programme

Saturday April 9th. CCC. Aughton MVC have confirmed their visit. Sunday April 10thAughton MVC will join with Forest of Dean MVC Friday June 10thElmore/Longney with church choirs.

Tours:

2011 I still wait to know if a tour to Norwich is required for 2011. This tour has been given the go- ahead

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2012. Based on previous experience such as Washington and Germany I would suggest that a sub committee be formed as soon as possible to set up the groundwork for a Cyprus tour (no such thing as plenty of time). Under consideration

Requests

Pied Piper will be asking for a concert in 2011 at the Kings School where it was so successful before.

The Church Council of Holy Trinity Church Longlevens has asked for a concert for church funds in 2011. This follows the successful concert there for the Children’s Society.

Can I discuss a concert at St Paul’s in 2011?

These items to be considered

Future Concerts.

Now we are using two accompanists and sometime Pam as well, how should I quote prices with

concert organisers? I feel that if we go over our current total then organisers may begin to decline.

Pam will only be accompanying soloists and will be part of soloists’ package. The accompanists

will share fee.

8. Possible Tour 2012 to Cyprus. Update from Bill Beamish.

Bill reported that he has made enquiries whilst he was on holiday in Cyprus and has had positive

responses, especially from his Army contacts, who would support concerts in aid of the Army

Charities. The suggested time for a tour would be late September/early October. He is now awaiting

confirmation from his contacts. The committee thanked Bill and asked that he go ahead with

further investigation.

9. Music Library Andrew Chalmers.

Andrew has produced a list of music as a result of discussions with both the Music Sub Committee and

the members of the Committee. He issued a pack that will go to all choir members, containing a list of

all music intended to be retained in the choir repertoire as well as the music we will no longer be using

in the future. Andrew gave assurances that copyright will continue to be checked on all music we will

use in the future.

The Committee thanked Andrew for carrying out such a mammoth task in a relatively short time and

to sorting out the choir stock of music.

10. Wootton Bassett Concert.

The committee were fully supportive of the arranged concert for the town of Wootton Bassett on the

23rd October and would pay the cost of transport. Pete Wilson to continue to liaise with the organisers.

11. Accompanists.

Discussion about the progress of both Mike and Dave occurred. It was pointed out that neither of them

had any experience accompanying a choir, which was an art on its own, and they have been improving

week by week. The main problem has been that they have not had any music scores to work from.

Andrew reported that he has now received the main part of the collection of music scores held by Pam

and would be sorting it out ready to issue to both Mike and Dave.

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The issue of dress code was discussed and it was decided that Meirion would discuss this matter with

them, including the possible availability of uniform and DJs.

12. New Uniforms.

Mike produced both Black shirts and White dress shirts from both The Famous and Matalan together

with a sample tie from The Famous. The committee discussed whether we should provide Dress shirts

for all of the choir, as was previously discussed, or not and decided to drop that option. The Black shirt

from Matalan was more acceptable because of the price but Mike had not asked if they could provide

the full range of sizes we would require and he would ask the question. The gold tie from The Famous

was accepted and Mike was instructed to place an order for 80.

Mike would provide a list of choir members for them to provide their shirt collar sizes at choir practice

on Monday.

13. A O B.

Meirion reminded the choir that Phil Gardner was coming up to his 40th anniversary with the choir and

we should make arrangements to present him with a set of Cufflinks to mark the occasion. This was

accepted by the committee and arrangements to be made.

He also mentioned that the programme information was not being kept up to date both to the choir and

on the website. An up to date program has been produced by Brian Rose and is ready to be issued.

The question arose as to Choir Ambassadors to maintain contact with both retired members and

widows of deceased members. The Chairman asked all committee members to list people who would

benefit and bring details to next meeting.

Bill mentioned that he was not satisfied with the production of choir CDs with just a piano

accompaniment and suggested that we try for a small orchestra or similar. It was pointed out that the

cost would be far more than we would receive on the sales of CDs. It was decided that it be an agenda

item for the future.

Meeting closed at 10.05

Date of next meeting 7th July 2010

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