WELCOME TO TEESSIDE APOLLO MALE VOICE CHOIR
Choir Principals
Concert Diary
Choir recordings
Choir Officials/Committee Members
How to Contact The Teesside Apollo Male voice choir
Recruitment
Choir Personnel
Choir Update
Tribute to Gwyn
ANNUAL CONCERTS
Choir Connections
Message Board
Guestbook
|
The Past
 | This early photograph of the Apollo choir was taken in 1901
In the 1830's ironstone was discovered in the Cleveland Hills, which led to a rapid developement of ironmaking around the town of Middlesbrough,situated on the banks of the Tees. As the industry and the town expanded so did the need for workers, many of them migrating from Wales. Tragically, an accident occurred at one of the steelworks and a Welsh worker was killed. A group of friends then decided to get together and arrange a social event at which they sang and raised money for the deceased's family. As a result of this event they agreed to continue their group singing and hence the birth of 'The Apollo Male Voice Choir' in 1887.
By 1890 the choir was competing and winning regularly at music festivals and in 1882 and 1896,because of its large number of Welsh speaking members,it was invited to take part in the Welsh National Eisteddfod. Many successful years followed but after the Second World War there was a slow decline in the choir's fortunes.
Since 1955,however, when the late musical director,Gwyn Morris, took up the baton the choir went from strength to strength having success in both National and International competitions and performing concerts in many countries around the world. In recent years the choir has been performing around 20 concerts a year at venues stretching from South Yorkshire to Edinburgh
Touring has also played a big part in the choir's busy schedule and 'Teesside Apollo' concerts have been applauded in many countries around the world. Countries visited include Holland (twice),Norway,Germany(four tours),Switzerland,
France (twice), Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, USA, Yugoslavia and Jersey.
Probably the most prestigious tour,however,was in 1986 when the choir had the honour of representing Great Britain at Expo '86 in Vancouver,Canada.
Our most recent tour, in September 2004, was a second visit to Jersey.
Festivals
The choir have appeared many times at Llangollen International Eisteddfod and at The Male Voice Choir championships in Huddersfield.
Winners of The Golden Rose Bowl at the prestigious Blackpool Music Festival.
Award winning performances at both Cork and Nis(Yugoslavia) International Music Festivals.
The only British choir invited to the Warsaw Choral Festival.
Many successful appearances at British choral festivals included, Harrogate, Perth and Edinburgh.
Because of the choir's busy schedule in recent years it has not been possible to dedicate the necessary time and commitment to attend competitions and festivals.
However, it was the wish of our late MD Nick Bennett that we should change this policy and get into the competition mode once again. Consequently we entered several choir categories in the 2007 Eskdale Festival but came away with mixed results. Our new MD, Alec Jackson,was of a similar mind to Nick and entered the choir in 2008 Festival and again we had mixed results. This year we entered the choir into a number of categories again but for various reasons have had to withdraw.
|
|
The Future
Musical Director, Alec Jackson has been with the choir for just over a year and is making every effort to blend new music with our existing repertoire. Not an easy task with an ageing choir but audiences are still enjoying the end result.
In the meantime choir recruitment continues to be a high priority because, so different from the heady days of ten years ago when the choir boasted over 100 members, the choir presently has some 67 singing members (listed under Choir Personnel). Neverless this has not detracted from the renowned Apollo 'sound' and concert requests show little signs of flagging.(See Concert Diary)
A number of CDs/Cassettes of choir recordings covering the last 20 years or so are listed under 'Choir recordings' and are available at any of the choir’s concerts, or from Brian Nugent on tel. 01642 466938. It is now eight years since our last recording so we are presently looking at the possibility of producing a new CD at the beginning of 2009.
Practice takes place on Monday evenings throughout the year [except for holiday periods]at Green Lane Primary School from 7.30 till approx 9.00pm. Click choir update.
|
Listen to the choir
The choir's repertoire is huge, covering all musical tastes. 'All in the April evening' is a typical male voice number which shows off the choir's famous sound. You should allow a few minutes for the music to be downloaded.
|
This page has been visited  times. |
