Mevagissey is a small, picturesque, working fishing village with a population of approximately 2,500 people and lies on the South Coast of Cornwall, midway between Plymouth and Falmouth. Now firmly on the tourist map, Mevagissey is the very epitome of a Cornish fishing village, with its twin harbours nestled in the corner of a sheltered bay, and its narrow, winding streets, lined with cob and slate fishermans' cottages, all converging on to the quayside.
Mevagissey also boasts one of the largest and most successful Male Voice Choirs in the County, with almost 70 singing members. Male Voice Choirs are traditionally very popular within Cornwall, there being some 33 federated Choirs in the County numbering approximately 1300 singers out of a total population of nearly half a million.
In 1974 a group of 16 local men, the majority being from Percy Mitchell's boatyard, got together and formed the choir we know today. Testament to their durability is the fact that 12 founder members of that nucleus still sing with the Choir and continue to take an active part to this very day. Nowadays, members come from the length and breadth of Cornwall to attend practices and concerts.
The Choir gives approximately 25 concerts per year throughout England, raising several thousand pounds annually for both local and national charities. Periodically, the Choir is invited to travel overseas to give concerts, and venues include St Michael's Cave, Gibraltar, the majestic Teatro Batazar Dias, Maderia plus venues in USA, Canada, Ireland and Western Europe, notably France, Germany and Holland.
Closer to home, concerts have been given throughout the County and the rest of England, with venues including The Eden Project, Truro Cathedral, The Hall for Cornwall, Dartington Hall, Devon, The Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Abbey and Parliament Gardens, London, to name but a few. At home in either a small village chapel or a grand cathedral, the Choir has taken part in all the International Male Voice Choral Festivals held at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro, and has achieved significant competition success against stiff opposition from many European Choirs.
Much of the Choir's success is down to their excellent Musical Director, Graham Willcocks. A former Choir member, Graham comes from a musical background, including barbershop, so it is no surprise that the choir has its own successful barbershop quartet. Graham has stamped his unique style on the choir, demanding and achieving high standards and competence. The Choir is also extremely lucky to have a long standing accompanist in Brian Mitchell, known throughout Cornwall as an excellent organist, and a true Son of Mevagissey. A young and extremely talented musician, Matthew Fox has recently joined the team as assistant accompanist and assistant director. He is already contributing significantly to the quality of our performance.
The Choir has several CD recordings of their own, with another in the pipeline, and have also assisted on several other records for artists such as Jackie Leven a professional recording artist, the rock band King Adora (punk meets Male Voice Choir!) and provided the backing on a track for an album by Ralph McTell who had a massive hit with "The Streets of London".
We have a reputation for being both a friendly and social choir and also for maintaining high performance standards. We are always looking for new members and welcome anyone to explore an interest by coming to sit in on a practice night. Practice night is Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 at St Andrew’s Church Mevagissey. Please contact us for more details.
The Friends of Mevagissey Male Choir make it possible for supporters of the choir, who live near and far, to keep in touch with the activities of the choir through Newsletters which are published 3 to 4 times each year. Currently we have Friends who live overseas as well as those who live locally and throughout the UK. Often holidaymakers to Cornwall see the choir at a concert, maybe at one of our free ‘Quay Concerts’ held in Mevagissey harbour each Monday in August, and wishing to support the choir and keep in touch become a Friend. Membership of the Friends of Mevagissey Male Choir costs only £6 per year and can be arranged by contacting the Friends Secretary, see contacts for details.
