​Last month members of Icknield and Canoldir travelled down to
the Millennium Centre, Cardiff at the invitation of the Welsh National Opera(WNO) to
watch the final dress rehearsal of a newly commissioned opera described in reviews as a
light comedy set in the Welsh Valleys in the 1950’s.
We were one of several choirs, both English and Welsh, who had been invited to watch
this final rehearsal. After the performance, all the choirs were asked to gather on the
stage along with the WNO’s Chorus and were invited to sing the last verse of one of the
songs sang in the opera a well known Welsh hymn Gwahoddiad, a favourite of both Welsh
and English MVC’s, This was filmed and recorded for future reference. What a treat!
It turned out to be a very enjoyable and memorable visit to the Welsh capital.
In the meantime we carry on with our rehearsals with our MD, Steve Roche and visiting
members of the WNO, working hard in getting the choir performance ready for Blaze of
Glory is coming to the Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham for one night only, on
Saturday,6 th , May and we as a choir have been invited to contribute to this performance
by singing along with the opera chorus in selected sections of the production.
More details to follow.
Meirion Bowen.

​This being my first blog of 2023, may I welcome you all to the New
Year? The discussions between Canoldir and Icknield are progressing
well and the choristers from both choirs are enjoying singing and
rehearsing together.
We have a full concert programme for the year, thanks to Meirion
and Sue (from Canoldir), starting with our performing with the Welsh
National Opera at the Hippodrome in May. We’ll be singing in Welsh
during the performance but entertaining the audience before the
opera in the foyer in English.
May I take this opportunity to welcome two new members in the
Second Tenor section, George Liddle and James Field. Welcome to
you both and we trust you will enjoy your time with the choir.
I trust you’ll be able to come to one or some of our concerts and we
look forward to seeing you there.
Regards and best wishes,
John Warr
Chair BIMVC

Its been a funny couple of years with the pandemic, but we have survived as a choir. To make things even more exciting we have combined with our friends from Canoldir Male voice choir under chairman Warren Woodcock for rehearsals and concert performances, both choirs will be under the baton of Steve Roche.
We have also changed our rehearsal venue to the Welsh Chapel in Loveday Street Birmingham.

We are pleased to announce that we have started to book concerts for 2022, our first one at Yardley Old Church on Saturday 11thg June at 7.30pm .
We have been joined for the 2022 season by a new second Tenor, Jack Mocket, who is a talented young musician waiting to study at Birmingham Conservatoire .

We are really looking forward to singing for you again .. See you all soon.

John Warr 
Chairman 
​BIMVC 

The choir held their AGM on 13th July 2021 at Sutton Coldfield Town Football Club. 22 members attended and a great deal of discussion took place over the future of choir rehearsals and various venues that might be available as the Covid restrictions eased. The appointment of Officers followed with the following results; Chairman John Warr Secretary Barbara Warr Treasurer Frank Barnard Librarian Mike McCormack Concert Secretary Meirion Bowen Social Secretary Dave Ward Media Phil Ward Committee Members Alistair Campbell Kim Sabido.
​
As the new chairman, I would like to place on record our thanks to Steve Watson who resigned as Social Secretary after carrying out the duties for many years. Our appreciation also goes the previous chairman, Alistair, who, in line with our constitution, stepped down after his 3-year term of office. We are fortunate in that he has agreed to remain on the committee. We all look forward to the easing of restrictions so that we can resume our normal choir activities and concerts again.

​John Warr (Chairman)

It is with great regret that we have to announce the passing of Ken Langston with a heart condition brought on by Covid-19. We send our condolences to Lisa, his daughter, and to the rest of his family. Ken was a long time member of the choir, singing in the 2nd bass section. Ken was an enthusiastic member and regularly sang at local concerts as well as our large annual concerts and the mass choirs of the English Association of Male Voice Choirs. He will be sadly missed by all his friends.
Rest in Peace Ken.
​

Jean Banister
For those who remember Jim Banister, along standing ex. choir member and former chairman,I have to inform you that his wife Jean passed away on the 5th December.Jean had been ill for sometime with dementia.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Jim and his family at this sad time.
John Warr.