History - 2000 -
One of the most memorable periods with Richard Braebrook as M.D. came in the spring of 2002 when the choir enjoyed a successful tour to south West Ireland.
With guest soloist, Louise Merrifield, concerts were presented to full houses in the beautiful houses in the beautiful churches of Tralee and Killarney before ending the tour with a grand concert in the magnificent Waterford Cathedral when, before a most appreciative audience, a large sum was raised to support the Cathedral's Restoration Fund.
Timothy Hosken took over as the choir’s Musical Director during Spring 2003. He was formerly Deputy M.D. of Mousehole Male Choir and M.D. St.Ives Operatic Society. Currently he is also M.D. of Penzance Choral Society.
In 2004 he led the choir in several memorable Centenary concerts and the making of its CD entitled ‘Let There Be Music’. In 2005, he directed the choir in the Cornwall International Male Choir Festival.
He regularly plays the pipe organ at various local churches and chapels. Timothy was previously awarded the Cornwhylan Cross and is to be made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd In September 2008, for his ‘outstanding contribution to music in Cornwall’.
In 2004, the choir celebrated its Centenary, reported on the home page
In 2005 the choir participated in the Cornwall International Male Choir Festival first in the Hall For Cornwall then in Penzance with all our friends from Mousehole and Haydock male choirs and the outstanding Revalia Male Chorus from Estonia.
In September, the choir again joined with their friends, Rhos Orpheus Male Choir, and Denise Leigh for concerts on three consecutive evenings in Porthleven, Redruth and St.Just – a thrilling experience for all concerned!
In 2006, the Apollo had another full programme of concerts in churches and chapels but other interesting venues included three Beach Concerts in Marazion, the East Terrace on St.Michael’s Mount, the garden of St.Theresa’s (our local Cheshire Home) and a marquee at St.Feock Gala.
In September the choir enjoyed a weekend trip to join our friends in Brixham Male Choir for their annual RNLI concert.
During this year, our accompanist Nigel Dower retired, and his shoes were
filled by Maureen Hollow who is still ‘tickling the
ivories’ on our behalf.
2007:
Has proved to be another busy year with a full programme of indoor and outdoor concerts. A special feature that year was the opportunity to welcome a number of new members including young William, the M.D.'s son.
Paul Marks-Joffe. We had been very fortunate in attaining the services of this talented young man as Deputy MD/Deputy Accompanist for 2007 and his work was much appreciated. He has now moved on to pastures new.
2008:
Laura Nicholas sings regularly in the choir's concerts. She is a talented young soprano whose solo performances are a delight to the choir and audiences alike.
As well as a full programme within the county, which includes singing at a wedding during August, we are embarking on a trip to Brittany at the end of September for a weekend of performances with our Celtic cousins in that region.
The post of Deputy MD/Deputy accompanist has recently been filled by Kathleen Trewhella, well known locally for her years of dedication to music with operatic societies. This is her first venture into Male Choir music and we gladly welcome her on to the ‘Staff’.
The planned trip to Brittany during October 2008 was a wonderful experience
for all who were able to go and we presented three concerts at venues around
North West Brittany. The choir was enthusiastically received at each event
especially at Doulais where we were based.
2009:
During June 2009 our CD "In the Spirit" was produced in time for our forthcoming visit to California. It was also a chance to record songs with Laura before she leaves us to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music.
The trip to America to sing in the Cornish Festival in Grass Valley, California in 2009 took place during the second half of July.
After a 26 hour journey, which felt like 32 hours because of the time difference, San francisco felt like a very warm summer day in Cornwall with a gentle breeze. Following a relaxing two night stay we were transferred to Grass Valley via Sacramento. Fortunately the coach was air conditioned as the outside temperature rose from 83f to 104f before settling back to 88f at our destination, altitude 2500 feet above sea level.
The choir presented several concerts at Grass Valley and Nevada City as well as social events in local hotel bars, (they don't really have pubs). At one packed concert hall we performed the world premier of "And so we Sing Trelawney" in front of the piece's composer Mike May. All were very well attended and the generosity and appreciation of the town folk and host families was evident. We look forward to returning the complement to the Grass Valley MVC at the International Festival during 2011. We also had the oppurtunity to visit Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley 1980 Winter Olympics venue, during our stay.
Later in the Autumn the choir was successful at the St. Austell Music Festival.
2010:
The year began with the Federation Charity Concert at Newquay, during February, in which some of our members took part.
In March we took part in the County Music Festival at Truro and followed that with concerts at Callington and Truro Cathedral during April.
Early in July we hosted the mixed Breton group "Meuzh Bro Konk" a choir with an accompanying music group. Their performance at Marazion Community Centre was well attended and appreciated by the audience.This was a return gesture having been hosted by them during our Brittany tour in October 2008.
We look forward to the future and the successful continuation of the proud tradition of male voice singing.
It is important to express the tremendous debt of gratitude felt by all the choir's members over the last hundred years to the many accompanists who have so ably complemented their singing in hundreds of concerts and competitions.