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What self respecting choir could not have a Welshman in charge? Howard has been a member for about twenty years, he was originally a baritone but moved to second tenor (baritones are ten-a-penny anyway) when that section was short of members. He became Musical Director in 1989 when his father-in-law Wilf Clarke retired. Howard is a Deputy Head teacher at a local Comprehensive School, he is a teacher of Geography - but don't rely on him to get the Geography questions at choir quiz nights. A keen fan of Sheffield United FC.

Cynthia has been our accompanist since 1983, without Cynthia we would be nothing and we treasure her dearly. Not only does she tolerate the choir but puts in extra practices with the soloists. Cynthia is a Primary School Teacher and a very keen golfer.

We were formed in 1971 by David Ward, a young teacher of music and a comparative newcomer to the district. He announced his intention to form the choir during a concert by the Royal British Legion Anston Ladies Choir, conducted by his wife Lesley. Through this appeal, various posters displayed throughout the village and a lot of knocking on doors, an inaugural meeting was arranged and this was attended by a dozen or so interested males. Anston Male Voice Choir became a reality.

It is fair to say that in the early months what the would be choristers lacked in musical knowledge was made up for by enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. After a few months David and Lesley, who was the choirs accompanist left the district to take up employment in the midlands

Mr. Ben Burgess, a music teacher from Dinnington was prevailed upon to become the new Musical Director. It is amusing to think that after the first practice he is known to have remarked to his wife "I don't know what I'm going to do with that lot!" He also predicted that it would take seven years to create a choir worthy of the name and it was his dedication together with his wife, accompanist Mrs. Winifred Pierce and her deputy Mrs. Joyce Hall that laid the real foundations of today's successful Choir. Sadly they are no longer with us.

Subsequent Musical Directors have been James Thompson, Wilf Clarke and our current MD Howard Thomas. We have over the years been ably assisted by our very gifted accompanist, Cynthia Herrington. All have been unstinting in their dedication and enthusiasm in promoting the interests of the choir

At first, only a handful of men were interested in forming a male voice choir. From that time, the choir has grown to approximately 35 members, some traveling from Rossington and Doncaster area, Worksop and Sheffield to practice and take part in concerts

Over the Years we have been involved in mass male voice concerts at many venues including:- The Royal Albert Hall in London, Sheffield City Hall, York Minster, Liverpool Cathedral, The G Mex Centre and Free Trades Hall in Manchester.

We have sung in Rotherham's twin town St. Quentin, France. In May 2000, we made our fourth visit to Gütersloh, Germany, where we were once again be the guests of the town's Voluntary Fire Brigade Wind Orchestra.

It is hoped that our friends from Gütersloh will visit us in the year 2002

We never take part in competitions as we feel that this would detract from the sheer enjoyment of singing for pleasure.

We do, however, take a great deal of pleasure knowing that we have raised many thousands of pounds for charity, much of it for local organisations, but also some from further afield. Our joint concerts with the Anston Ladies Choir have supported the M.S. Society, the Rotherham Hospice Trust and Rotherham Talking Newspapers.

Anston is a village in South Yorkshire, England. It is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham.

To see more of Anston and some of the surrounding villages click [here] to visit a wonderful site by Paul Newbold

If you would like us to sing for you then please contact us via the Contact Us page.

We practice in Anston Parish Hall every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00.

There is NO AUDITION, just come along and join in, YOU will know if you like it. If you find you fit in, becoming a member follows on naturally.

For further details drop me an email

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