The History of Macclesfield Male Voice Choir
The choir began its career in 1955 as the Glee Union of St. Paul’s Church, Macclesfield, Cheshire under their choir master Percy Broadhurst. When Alf Hyde took over in 1959, membership was increased by the inclusion of outside members and so became the Macclesfield Male Voice Choir in 1961, with Mrs Lily Davenport J.P., O.B.E. as President. In 1987 Roy Cumberlidge was appointed Musical Director of the choir but retired as Musical Director in 1997.
In 2000, the Macclesfield Male Voice Choir took part in the 2000 Male Voice Concert at the M.E.N, Arena in Manchester, a fundraising event for St. Ann’s Hospice and Help the Hospices.
Following an invitation from Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir (Isle of Man) in 2000, the choir were guests at two concerts during the late Spring Bank Holiday. The time spent in the Isle of Man with their friends from Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir was a wonderful trip with many happy memories of a beautiful country, its warm and friendly folk, stunning views, great comradeship and happy times together which will remain in the choir's memories forever.
In 2001, the Macclesfield Male Voice Choir returned from a concert tour of Canada, a joint venture again with Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir, after giving concerts in Toronto, Niagara, Kingston and London.
More recently, the Macclesfield Male Voice choir toured Ireland in 2004 along with their good friends from the Isle of Man, The Lon Dhoo Choir. Having spent 3 nights in Dublin, 3 in Galway and 3 in Cork they sang at Loughrea, Dun Laoughaire and Navan and whilst in Navan were called upon to sing during the special tree planting celebrations. The two choirs thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the Irish people would like them to return to perform again.
Early Photographs
The choir was highly active in the 1960s as the following photographs show.
Click on each thumbnail to take a closer look.
MMVC Logo
The Choir's logo was designed by one of its members Jack Newton in 1970.
Jack lived to be 100 years of age and died in 1998.