Four years ago I posted on You Tube our choir singing at St. John’s Church, Llandudno. I also posed the following challenge to the future of male voice choirs.
“The tradition and future of male voice choirs is disappearing fast. The average age of choristers is rising each year. The worry is that no younger people are joining as replacements. Yet, male voice choirs remain popular ie. ‘Fron Male Voice Choir’ and ‘Only Men Aloud’ have recently become national icons.
We need somehow to encourage young men. People who like singing should join their local male voice choir. This is vital to secure the future of male voice choirs.
One of Wales’ prime cultural and traditional institutions.”
In response I received the following comments on the You Tube website from MEPhI Male Choir: National Research Nuclear University, Moscow
“For our male voice choir it is easier to keep the tradition. Because we are a University’s choir and have a permanent inflow of young choristers. 10-20 students start to sing in the choir in their freshman year. 5-10 keep on singing till the end of their study, 1-5 do not leave the choir after graduation.
Most students leave the choir. Still half of the choir’s concert part is represented by the young generation.”
The Future of Male Voice Choirs
It’s a pity that the tradition of male voice choirs in Wales is disappearing. There will be no problem with young choristers in colleges and universities. The older and younger people are together in the same district. They also have a closer relationship as members of the same educational community.”
What is to going to reverse the situation? Is forging links with schools and colleges the answer?
Mike Collins says
Very interesting.
We are trying our best to recruit young new members. Our doors at Haydock MVC our doors are always open to all singers, both young and old!
I shall make sure I pass this post on.
Very Best to you all.
Mike xx
Dafydd Jones says
Thanks for your comment Mike. I’m sure there are many factors which contribute to the decline in numbers and I feel that there is a pressing need to look at the problem in greater depth. Maybe our regional male voice choir associations could be persuaded to take the lead in funding a research project or in coordinating workshops with the purpose of creating a strategy for the future.
david walker says
New Mill MVC, W Yorkshire
Hi how far did you get with your research proposal into future of male voice choirs?
regards dw
Dafydd Jones says
Not very far David, maybe the answer is to forge links with the choir’s local High School. However youngsters who are interested in singing tend to join mixed choirs.A mixed choir was recently established in Denbigh (population about 9000 ) with 30 members and a choral society established in 2001 has 120 members. Perhaps we should ask Gareth Malone to help!!!