Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's concert playing organ/piano/bass/flute with Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir for the Lord Mayor's charity fundraiser. A tearyword of heartfelt thanks from Anne as her term comes to an end. Other wonderful performances by: Emmanuel Choir, Birmingham City Council Choirs, and newly formed Dementia UK choir. Look at all the pretty colours!
The Choral Music tradition remains beautiful - rekindling the fire of ancient hymns and anthems (my favourite being those old welsh ones) as well as very much modernising with the inclusion of drums and bass, pop hits and new compositions (ALL of which were heard yesterday)
However, speaking with my limited involvement with male voice choirs, dwindling membership means they might not be around for much longer unless more people get involved. Consider joining a choir, and if you're male, join icknield! Weekly rehearsals and chance to sing 10+ concerts a year around the midlands, with no commitment needed from new members.
Commonwealth games coming up... what if Birmingham could show the world its people care SO much for music?

Jobe Baker-Sullivan

The Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir (BIMVC) is preparing for a new season of concerts featuring some traditional Hymns as well as famous numbers from the last 60 years and modern pop classics. BIMVC began life as the Icknield School Choir in around 1900, named after the street where they met near the City Centre, before expanding into its present home with around 40 active members. They meet every Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm at the rear of the Saint Chad’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Shadwell Street where there is ample parking in the grounds.
The Choir’s current repertoire includes Robbie William’s “Angels”, Sting’s “Field of Gold” as well as the Rugby World Cup Anthem, “The World in Union”. BIMVC has sung at venues as far afield as The USA and joined Choristers from across the West Midlands to perform before a packed house at the City’s Symphony Hall as well as the City’s Town Hall.
If you belong to a group of Churches in Birmingham Churches together, then please consider asking other members of the group to join you in hiring them, as you can split the expenses and maybe sell more tickets, than if you hired us on your own. BIMVC are always looking for new members and as long as men can sing in tune, (no need to be able to read music) then they would welcome them with open arms. A Mentor will steer them through the first weeks of rehearsal, until they feel they are ready to perform in a Concert.
Please come along on any Tuesday at the above address or telephone Meirion Bowen on 0121 358 1740 for an informal chat.

Click on our website concert tab for a concert near you !

Robert Tanley 
Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir 
visit http://www.birminghamchurches.org.uk/ for concerts and services in your community 

Photos of concert at Our Lady of The Assumption, Maryvale: 3rd December 2017

 Saturday, 28th April, at St. David’s Church,  Shenley Green, B29,4HH,
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You are invited to a concert performed by Birmingham Icknield MVC who will be singing some of your favourite songs from an excellent programme put together by our MD Steve Roche.
The concert opens with When I’m 64, by the Beatles and ends with one of choir’s favourites, American Trilogy, made famous by the one and only Elvis accompanied by some outstanding
musicians, soloists and not forgetting the gents in the choir!!
Come and hear for yourselves, you won’t be disappointed. Sit down, relax and enjoy the BIMVC experience.

A sad farewell.
It is with regret that we announce the sad passing away last Saturday, of a former chorister and friend, Stan Bannister.
A 1st tenor, Stan had been a valued member of the choir for many years, having to retire due to failing health some time ago.
He will be remember as someone who always had a story to tell and a ready smile when greeting friends.
 
We send our sincere condolences to his family at this sad time. Rest In Peace Stan.

Meirion Bowen 
Chairman 
BIMVC 

The choir has been invited to take part in this prestigious concert to raise funds for the Lord Mayor’s Charities. We will be performing alongside the Birmingham City Council Choir; Emmanuel Choir and the Dementia UK Choir.
The concert will take place at Emmanuel Church, Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, Birmingham. B72 1DP. 
on Tuesday 8th May at 7.30pm
Tickets are £10 and available from Evenbrite ( search-Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Charity Concert).
The Lord Mayor obviously enjoyed the EAMVC concert she attended at The Great Hall at the University of Birmingham last year, so much that she has asked for us to perform for her again.
The Lord Mayor’s Charities covered by her appeal include Dementia UK; Whiz-Kidz and Cherished/Blossom.
Please support this concert and help make the evening a great success and raise funds for the charities.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS VIA THE LINK BELOW 
​https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birmingham-lord-mayors-charity-concert-tickets-43886141631

It is with great sadness that we announce that our dear friend and fellow chorister Mark Evetts passed away on Saturday.
Mark had been a member of the choir for a number of years and was well known for his entertaining monologues as well as his duets with Dave Ward. The choir was an important part of Mark’s life and he enjoyed the years he spent with us.
We send our sincere condolences to his family and this sad time. Rest in peace Mark

On Saturday, 2nd, December, BIMVC were invited to present a concert with a Christmas theme at St. Paul’s. The audience were invited to join in with the singing of some of our favourite carols starting with Jingle Bells and Deck the Hall and finishing up with White Christmas and We Wish You A Merry Christmas much to everyone’s delight.
Our guest artiste was Jasmine Hunter who played a classy clarinet solo. What a star in the making.
Many thanks to the Rev. Smitha for her cordial welcome and refreshments, much appreciated by one and all.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2018  to all our family, friends and followers from all at BIMVC
Meirion Bowen.
Chairman. BIMVC

BIMVC was given a really warm welcome to our first concert at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Maryvale, last night.
We had two new soloists to entertain an appreciative audience. Roy Wall sang You Raise me Up, which he dedicated to his grandson Reece
while Derek Brain sang This is my song, which he dedicated to his wife Kathleen, whom he married at Maryvale, 49 years ago. Well done to both Roy and Derek as well as to the other soloists, choir and our talented musicians who contributed in making last night’s concert a big success. Many thanks to Mike Collins and team for organising the refreshments and the ever popular raffle.
We look forward to welcoming you to St. Paul’s Church, Hamstead, next Saturday, 2nd,December, where we will be performing a concert with a Christmas theme. Come and join us to sing along with some of your favourite carols!.