Paul Phillips - Piano
Principal Accompanist
Paul started playing the piano at the age of 6 and achieved Grade 8 with the
Trinity College of Music when he was 18. He has lived in Dursley all his working
life and has been teaching piano locally for a number of years. He joined
the Dursley Male Voice Choir in 1998 as a chorister and became assistant accompanist
in 2000. Paul is currently studying for a Diploma in piano performance with
the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.
Barrie Cooper -Musical
Director: Dip ABRSM, B.A.Hons
Barrie had his first piano lesson over 50 years later at Marling School. After
gaining a degree in French at Reading University he embarked on a teaching
career in Lincolnshire. During the next 30 years he was accompanist and occasional
conductor of two choirs and Musical Director of an amateur operatic society,
as well as being official accompanist at 3 music festivals in East Yorkshire.
After retirement he returned to Gloucestershire where he now plays for the
Stewart Singers in Minchinhampton as well as being principal accompanist/conductor
for the Dursley Male Voice Choir. He has made numerous choral arrangements
and composed two major works for mixed choirs.
In 1656 King Charles II raised a Regiment from his loyal exiles at Bruges.
Originally called the "Royal Regiment of Guards", the name was changed
in 1815 to "The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards".
From its formation, drums and fifes alone provided the Regiment's music but
in 1685 Charles II signed a Royal Warrant authorising the maintenance of twelve
Hautbois (an early form of the oboe) and the foundations of the Band were
laid. George Frederick Handel, the Master of the King's Music, was an admirer
of the Band and presented the March from "Scipio" to the Regiment
in 1726.
The Band's main fuction today is that of Household Division Band, performing
at the Queen's Birthday Parade, Investitures and state banquets. It also undertakes
private engagements, and can produce a concert aband, marching band, orchestra,
dance band and fanfare of trumpets.
On mobilisation its role is to provide medical assistance and all band members
undergo a lengthy initial course to train as medics. The most recent time
the band put away their instruments and replaced them with medical equipment
was at the time of the Gulf conflict. As the conflict broke, the unit went
into intensive training in preparation for desert conditions, and were on
24 hour standby. They were not deployed on that occasion, but who knows what
might happen next?
The
latest Dursley Male Voice Choir CD was recorded in October 2002 and is now available
at a cost of £9
CD available from David Rymer 01453 543540 or Email
Dursley Male Voice Choir for further information
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The Choir was formed on 29th November 1978 when 18 men met in Dursley to share their dream. Some of those founder members still sing with the Choir. The present Choir has an active membership of 85 who come from all parts of Gloucestershire and beyond. The Choir attracts men of all ages and from all walks of life, ranging from some who have only recently finished full time schooling through to those well into retirement. All share the common interest of fostering public knowledge and appreciation of choral music by public performance. The Choir has helped raise many thousands of pounds since its formation, and such is the demand for concerts that we are already taking bookings for the future In 1987 Dursley Male Voice Choir attended the major International Festival in Lindenholzhausen, Germany and took third prize. Success in competitions includes the prestigious Porthcawl Miners Eisteddfod in South Wales 1996, after being runners up the previous year, and finalists in the National Male Voice Championship in 1997. The Choir reached a wider audience when it took part in a TV Choral Competition, reaching the final which was broadcasted 1997.. In 1998 the choir sang for the National Inner Wheel (Rotary) Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre. Following this performance a booking was taken for a Rotary charity event near London. Christmas 2002 Dursley's festive
season was launched with two concerts in the Lister Hall. Conducted by
Barrie Cooper and accompanied by Paul Phillips, the choir gave the impeccable
performance we have come to expect. |
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 BAND OF THE GRENADIER GUARDS Cheltenham Town Hall - 2002 (mouse over above image for information on the Grenadier Guards) |
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concert with a variety of music from the band of the Grenadier Guards with
their guests, the Dursley Male Voice Choir. Praise must be given to the Dursley Male Voice Choir for their excellent diction. Every word was clearly understood, even in as difficult a piece as Rhythm of Life. Their attention to detail in dynamic control, their tuning and their ablility to focus on their conductor. Barrie Cooper, were outstanding. Their delicious sounds and soft lilting tone, which they contrasted with dynamic singing when required, together with the poise that emerged in Let It Be Me, marks this choir out as a Gem of Gloucestershire music. Anne Dunn |
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In 1998 and the spring of 2003 the choir embarked on two very successful concert tours in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada., both of which will be remembered not just for the singing but as much for the friendliness and hospitality of the Canadian people.
Practice Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.30 pm Our itinerary 2004 Saturday, 6th March, Fri/Sat 2/3rd April, Saturday 8th May, Saturday 15th May, Saturday 12th June, Saturday 26th June, Sat 10th July Saturday 7th August, Sat 18th September Saturday 2nd October, Saturday 23rd October,
All information Courtesy of Dursley Male Voice Choir |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cantorion
Cymreig Victoria Welsh Choir - Melbourne, Australia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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COTSWOLDS
~ CHEESE & BACON GANG ~ DURSLEY
ALPHABET ~ DURSLEY DONKEY ~ LISTER'S
~ RELIANCE WORKS
PHOTO ALBUM ~ SITE INDEX ~ LINKS sendinfo@cotswoldedge.org.uk |
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