“Best concert we’ve been to” “Superb! Great evening”, “Well planned concert programme”

“Best £10.00 I’ve spent in a long time”

“No, not my comments but those of the audience who came along to BMVC’s concert. They came in
their numbers, expectant of a great evening’s entertainment. They were not disappointed!!
Our music team were in great form with Chris Walk on piano, Clare Ray on drums and our
instrumentalists Francis Moran(bass guitar) and Jobe Baker Sullivan(Organ, violin saxophone etc,)
adding depth when accompanying several of the choir songs, the opener being When the Saints go
Marchin’ in and ending the programme with a firm favourite, American Trilogy with Steve Roche our
MD in full control of the gathered choristers.
Steve O’Malley the choir soloist sang The Star of the County Down while our guest singer of the
evening Lesley Delo, delighted the audience with her rendition of Memory from the musical Cats and
O My Beloved Father amongst others.
The Charleston was played as a piano duet by Chris Walk and Steve Roche always a popular addition
to the concert programme and finally, Lesley Delo, Steve O’Malley and the choir sang Love Changes
Everything, a wonderful choice of song to end the concert with and to much applause.
A big Thank You to the ladies who provided the refreshments, who sold tickets at the door, those
who organised the raffle and finally to those who supervised the bucket collection organised by our
very own centurion chorister, Harold Jones with the proceeds donated to MND.
Finally, another big Thank You to the staff from Emmanuel Parish Church, especially Chris Shaw who
was instrumental in helping make the evening’s concert the big success it turned out to be.
Meirion Bowen.
Concert Secretary, BMVC

​Regretfully, it saddens me to have to inform you of the death of the longest
serving member of the Birmingham Icknield Male voice choir.
Brian joined the choir in 1977 and I first met him when I joined in early 1978.
The conductor of the choir at the time was Mike Adams whose father Ron was
a long serving first tenor. Don Beach was the deputy conductor and his brother
Les was the pianist. Brian and I became friends and we used to meet up
socially outside the choir.
When it became obvious that we needed funds to purchase a uniform for the
choir, Brian volunteered to help and with others we managed to raise the
money to buy our first uniform. For many years after this he continued to raise
funds with his weekly lottery based on the number drawn on the bonus ball of
the National lottery.
Every Tuesday, after rehearsal, we used to head down to the Beaufort pub in
Hamstead village for a couple or three swift halves and some harmony singing.
The leaders of this merry band were Charlie Roberts, our chairman, and his
two brothers Frank and Jack. No sooner than they entered the small “snug” in
the Beaufort, even before they had taken a sip of their beer, they would burst
into song.
Initially, Brian sang with the baritones but when Steve Roche realised how high
his voice was he moved him to first tenor.
In recognition of his long service and his fund raising work for the choir he was
made president, apposition he held until his death on Thursday, 12 th October,
2023. Brian had been ill for some time and his physical illness was exacerbated
by his dementia.
He will be sadly missed by all his friends and fellow choristers in the choir.
Rest in Peace Brian.
Dave Ward.

​The Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance Association

A Service of Remembrance
Saturday, 23 rd September, 2023

Many thanks to all the choristers who took part at this very moving occasion for the
surviving relatives of those whose names are remembered here for all time.
The service was conducted at St. Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, led by Reader Liz
Harris. During the Service the choir, under the leadership of Steve Roche and accompanied
by Chris Wark, sang Ose Shalom( the One who makes Peace) in Hebrew which resonated
with many of the audience members followed by Steal Away later in the service.
Also supporting the service was the Cubbington Silver Band conducted by Kieron Howe.
We would like to thank Brian Wright, Vice Chair of BARRA for inviting the choir to take part
at this annual remembrance service and for making us feel very welcomed.
Meirion Bowen.
Concert Secretary, BMVC.