Annual Concert May 18th 2019

Report courtesy of Bucks Free Press:

Orpheus sing their hearts out at their 96th anniversary
By Sandra Carter

The annual concert of Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir on Saturday was far more than a showcase for our local singers of a certain age.

The choir, now in its 96th year, has long had a passion to support young musicians. And this year’s programme at The Swan had three youthful treats in store for an enthusiastic audience.

And there was more: on the stage were not only the 40-strong Wycombe choir.

They had invited the Brecon Male Voice Choir to join them, making an ensemble of 70 voices. Now that’s powerful stuff. When they joined together in their opening Anthem from Chess, we knew we were in for an amazing evening of soaring music.

Stand-out numbers included He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother, Rise Like a Phoenix, and a totally original take on Bohemian Rhapsody.

Freddie Mercury would surely have loved this fresh approach and fine performance. The piano accompaniment had to emulate the orchestral treatment of the original, and Orpheus’s talented new piano accompanist, Rebecca Holt, rose magnificently to the challenge. The final piece sung by both choirs, Rachie, was spine-tingling music.

While welcoming a new accompanist, the choir said farewell to their musical director, Louise Langley, retiring after 16 years in the role. This is very much the end of an era for the choir and tributes were paid to the passion and professionalism of her leadership.

The first youthful interlude came from the High Wycombe Music Centre Saxophone Choir. These youngsters were incredibly talented, performing three lively jazz numbers with faultless skill and verve.

Clearly our local male voice choir is in fine fettle - but they are looking to recruit new members, as well as a new Musical Director. See www.wycombeorpheus.org.uk if you’d like to join them.

London Welsh festival of Male Choirs - 13th October 2018

The Orpheus Choir was proud to participate in the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 13^th October. 15 Choirs from all over the world joined the London Welsh MVC under their Director Edward-Rhys Harry in a magnificent celebration of song, with touching Remembrance items vying with powerful Welsh hymns and popular items from the world of musicals. Accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards, Annabelle Thwaite on piano, and James Hearn on the mighty organ, the sound of 800 voices thrilled a capacity 5000-strong audience. Excellent soloists added their own talented contributions.

A truly memorable day and we hope to be invited back on a future occasion!

Vauxhall MVC 75th Anniversary Concert – 16th June 2018

At the invitation of the Vauxhall MVC, Wycombe Orpheus returned to Dunstable after 5 years to celebrate VMVC’s 75th Anniversary last Saturday, along with St Edmundsbury MVC with whom we have also performed in joint concerts. With a combined force of 100+ voices, some of the traditional choruses raised the roof in the splendid acoustic of Dunstable’s Methodist Church. Yet there was superb quality in all three Choirs – quiet reflective pieces, French, pop (yes that was us!) and an overall feeling that we delivered a great concert to an appreciative audience. View some Photos here, thanks to Richard Stevens who took them.