NEWS UPDATES
"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat..."
Ludlow Male Voice Choir perform their first carol concert of the year at Croft Castle
What a magical start to the festive season! Yesterday, the Ludlow Male Voice Choir had the joy of performing our very first carol concert of 2025 in the beautiful surroundings of Croft Castle—and what an afternoon it was.
With a strong and spirited lineup of 24 singers, we filled the historic hall with music that set the tone for a wonderful Christmas ahead. The programme opened with the serene and timeless Ave Verum Corpus, followed by the lively charm of the Italian Pipers’ Carol. From there, we soared into a powerful rendition of O Holy Night before enjoying the festive fun of Christmas Is Coming.
One of the true highlights of the concert was the debut performance of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Based on the heartfelt poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, this brand-new arrangement was written especially for our choir by the incredibly talented Caroline Clarke. It was a privilege to bring this piece to life for the very first time, and the audience response was wonderfully warm.
To round off the event, we invited the audience to join us in a joyful collection of traditional carols. Their voices blended beautifully with ours, creating a truly uplifting and communal festive celebration—a perfect example of what makes these concerts so special.
We’re already buzzing with excitement for our next concert on December 13th at Berrington Hall. If yesterday was anything to go by, it promises to be another unforgettable celebration of music, fellowship, and Christmas cheer.
Thank you to everyone who supported us at Croft Castle—and we can’t wait to sing for you again soon!
Ludlow Male Voice Choir Raise Their Voices – and Funds – for Prostate Cancer UK
On Saturday 27th September, Ludlow Male Voice Choir staged a memorable charity concert at the magnificent Stokesay Court, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK and celebrating the power of music to bring people together.
The evening was presented in three parts. The choir opened with a selection of their much-loved repertoire, setting the tone for a night of rich harmonies and community spirit.
The second part of the concert featured a line-up of outstanding guest performers. International opera tenor Kim Begley joined forces with pianist Roger Gaukroger to deliver a lively set of Flanders and Swann’s witty animal songs, culminating in a rousing audience sing-along of Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud.
Renowned soprano Caroline Clarke then captivated the audience with a moving rendition of Song to the Moon from Dvořák’s Rusalka, followed by La Vergine degli Angeli, where she was accompanied by the choir. The section concluded with a powerful performance from the dynamic vocal duo Trovatori, whose energy and artistry lit up the hall.
The final part of the evening showcased the choir once again, this time with a programme of new songs. Among the performers were eight new members who have joined the choir since the launch of the Together We Sing campaign – an initiative designed to encourage more men to sing while raising awareness of men’s mental health and prostate cancer.
The concert was a great success, both musically and in shining a spotlight on vital health issues. It was a proud moment for the choir and a testament to the generosity and enthusiasm of the local community.
A very special thanks goes to Kim Begley, Roger Gaukroger, Caroline Clarke, and Trovatori, who all gave their time and talent freely in support of such an important cause. Their generosity helped make the evening truly unforgettable.
Ludlow Male Voice Choir Launches First “Together We Sing” Workshop to Inspire Men’s Singing and Raise Awareness of Prostate Cancer
On Saturday 9th August, Ludlow Male Voice Choir proudly hosted its first-ever free singing workshop, Together We Sing, as part of the choir’s 20th anniversary campaign to encourage more men to sing, promote the health benefits of singing, and raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The event drew over 25 men who sang alongside the choir, supported by around 20 friends and family members in the audience. Some visitors were seasoned singers from other local choirs, while for others it was their very first time singing in public and experiencing what it’s like to be part of a male voice choir.
As a trial run, participants were guided through learning two new songs the first in two-part harmony—perfect for helping new singers find their voice Spread a Little Happiness and was followed by a rousing four-part harmony rendition of What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor.
A highlight of the afternoon was hearing from Professor Noel W. Clarke, a leading consultant urological surgeon from The Christie Cancer Hospital Manchester, who delivered two engaging talks on men’s health and prostate cancer. Both talks were warmly received, sparking plenty of questions from an attentive audience.
The workshop concluded with light refreshments and a performance of some of the choir’s favourite songs, giving guests a taste of the rich sound and camaraderie that defines the Ludlow Male Voice Choir.
This workshop was made possible thanks to the support of the local community, who contributed generously to a crowdfunding campaign earlier this year. A representative from Prostate Cancer UK was also present to support the occasion.
The day was a resounding success, with several attendees expressing their intention to join the choir for regular rehearsals.
A Magical Open-Air Rehearsal at
Stokesay Flowers
This week, the Ludlow Male Voice Choir traded its usual Monday night rehearsal venue for something truly special — a glorious summer evening in the walled gardens of Stokesay Court, courtesy of the warm hospitality of Stokesay Flowers.
Surrounded by blooms and bathed in golden sunlight, choir members, along with their friends and family, gathered for an open-air rehearsal that turned into something far more memorable. With birdsong overhead and tea and cake in hand, we sang through our repertoire as the sun dipped gently behind the trees — a magical setting for music and community.
As the evening cooled, the group made their way to The Apple Tree Pub in Onibury, where the singing continued in good spirits. A highlight of the night came when our Musical Director, Darren Clarke, and his wife, Caroline, surprised us with a stunning operatic duet, complete with a rousing chorus joined by the choir. It's rumoured to be the first time landlord Andy cracked a smile — and we’ll take that as high praise!
A very special thank you to Barney, Victoria and their wonderful family at Stokesay Flowers for welcoming us so generously to their beautiful gardens. It was a truly unforgettable evening of song, laughter, and camaraderie — a reminder of what makes the Ludlow Male Voice Choir so special.
Darren and Caroline
SELLOUT SUMMER CONCERT!
at the Ludlow Brewery
On one of the hottest evenings of the year, the Ludlow Male Voice Choir celebrated its 20th anniversary with a sellout concert at the iconic Ludlow Brewery — and what a night it was! With a full house and a wonderfully enthusiastic audience, the event was a true celebration of music, community, and the enduring spirit of the choir.
Despite the soaring temperatures, the audience entered into the spirit of the evening with warmth and energy, matching the passion of the choir note for note. The programme featured a rich blend of classics and new repertoire, opening with Anthem and including other timeless favourites such as Sailing, You Raise Me Up, Danny Boy, and You'll Never Walk Alone.
Adding a fresh dimension to the evening were new additions to the choir's repertoire, including Tell My Father, No Man Is an Island, and I Was Born Under a Wand'rin' Star, the latter featuring a great solo by Malcolm Rochefort, the choir’s secretary and Bass section lead.
Two highlights stood out in particular. The first was Southern Most of Dales, which is fast becoming the choir's unofficial anthem. This beautiful piece that tells the story of our local towns and villages was specially arranged for the choir by pianist Steve Dunachie. The second highlight was a stirring rendition of Brothers in Arms, arranged by Caroline Clarke especially for the choir’s 20th anniversary year — a truly fitting tribute to two decades of harmony.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made the evening such a success — especially the team at Ludlow Brewery for their fantastic venue and support, and of course, to our wonderful audience, whose enthusiastic applause and support meant the world to us.
Here’s to the next 20 years of song!
Just in case you missed us, click on the picture
Promoting Men's Health Through Song at Community Connectors Meeting
On July 2nd, representatives from the Ludlow Male Voice Choir, including Musical Director Darren Clarke, attended the Men's Health and Wellbeing Community Connectors Meeting in Church Stretton. The event brought together a range of organisations dedicated to supporting men’s physical and mental health, including Ludlow Men’s Shed and the cancer support group Men Like Us.
Ludlow Male Voice Choir joined the event to highlight the many health benefits of singing — from improved breathing and posture to enhanced social connection and wellbeing. Darren Clarke led a lively, interactive session that got the audience singing and breathing together, demonstrating firsthand how music can bring people together and lift spirits.
The choir also took the opportunity to promote their upcoming free singing workshop, Together We Sing, which will take place on Friday, 9th August at the Clive Pavilion, Ludlow Racecourse. The workshop is open to all men, regardless of musical experience, and aims to encourage community, confidence, and wellbeing through the shared joy of singing.
To book your place on the FREE workshop, please scan the QR code
THANK YOU!
You've helped us hit our target!
We Did It! £7,700 Raised to Get More Men Singing
Thanks to the incredible generosity of 110 donors, we’re delighted to announce that we’ve hit our £7,700 fundraising target and more!
This fantastic total means we can now offer FREE singing workshops for men, helping to promote the physical, mental, and social benefits of singing together. For many men, choir night is one of the few times in the week they can connect, unwind, and build friendships – and we’re proud to be making that experience accessible to even more people.
We’re also using this opportunity to raise awareness of men’s prostate cancer, encouraging open conversations and supporting better understanding of this vital health issue.
Our first free workshop will take place in August – keep an eye out for full details soon.
To everyone who donated, shared our appeal, or simply cheered us on: thank you. Your support is helping to make a real difference. Let’s keep the music going!
Open Rehearsal at Ludlow Brewery
14th April 2025
Our rehearsal last week was an open evening held at the Ludlow Brewery. The idea behind this was to support our Spacehive Grant Application, allowing us to hold workshops that encourage men to join us in singing. Being part of a choir is beneficial to mental health as it is a great tool in creating an atmosphere where we can join together, not only in singing, but also in meeting and talking with other people.
The evening was well supported, and we held a raffle which raised a good sum towards our overall target. Many thanks to all who bought tickets, and congratulations to those who won prizes. We are pleased to announce that we are now just £123 short of our target of £7,741. We have added a few pictures of the evening, I know the singers enjoyed a drink in a glass rather than the usual teacup !!
Our grateful thanks to the Brewery for hosting us.
Ludlow Male Voice Choir Sellout Perform in the 'Voices of Spring' Concert at Ludlow Assembly Rooms March 29th 2025
Saturday 29th March saw a packed house at the Voices of Spring concert, where Bella Acapella and the Ludlow Male Voice Choir joined forces for an unforgettable evening of music.
With 200 tickets sold, this sold-out show treated the audience to a rich and varied programme showcasing the unique styles and strengths of both choirs. From spine-tingling harmonies to rousing classics, the performance had something for everyone – and judging by the standing ovation, it didn’t disappoint.
The atmosphere was electric, and the collaboration between these two talented groups created a true celebration of community, harmony, and the joy of singing.
Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a special night. If you missed out this time, don’t worry – there’s more to come!
