Hart Male Voice Choir has always had aims and objectives somewhat different from most other male voice choirs. The original founder members had previously been members of other male voice choirs, and formed Hart to sing a greater variety of music than the traditional male voice choir repertoire offered. Essentially, they wanted music which was musically challenging, and they wanted to sing it well, but more than anything, they wanted music with audience-appeal.
The choir has always had its unique repertoire. This has always included a high proportion of pieces specially arranged or adapted for them, both by their own Musical Director, and by other composers and arrangers. Their library of music now numbers some 380 pieces which the choir have learned in the past. Their repertoire moves on, but at any one time usually includes music from grand opera, light opera and musicals, films, love songs, folk songs, religious works, pop song arrangements, and other music. This repertoire is in addition to the traditional Welsh songs, hymns and spirituals beloved by all male voice choirs.
Many of the earlier pieces are not totally lost, but are often heard during informal singalongs. These seem to arise after every concert, in some nearby hostelry. Indeed it is the job of the choir's Social Secretary to reconnoitre a suitable venue particularly for this purpose. Choir members have sung in many a Surrey, Hampshire or London pub, much to the surprise and delight of the locals. The choir places great emphasis on the social enjoyment side of choir membership.
Besides careful choice of repertoire, the choir strives for a high standard of musicality. Although there is no required qualification for membership, other than a love of singing and a simple audition, it is required that all pieces are fully committed to memory, and sung to a concert standard before being performed in public. The choir tradition is that no sheet music is ever seen on stage, except as used by the conductor and accompanist. This allows full scope in musical interpretation, the choir then being the fully responsive "instrument" in the hands of the conductor.
Similarly, the choir strives for "professionalism" in presentation. All choir members must be immaculately turned out in choir uniform, and are under the control of the Stage Manager while performing. The total attention and effort of all choir members is always directed towards the concert performance and musical expression of the choir as a whole.
As a by-product of its singing, the choir raises money for charitable causes. A proportion of the income from their own arranged concerts is donated to charity. The choir will give a discount to its concert fee if the concert is for a worthy cause. Income from the published choir's arrangement of the song "Another day" has been donated to "Hope House", a childrens' hospice in Shropshire, of which the choir's President is a patron.
The choir presents 15 to 20 concerts and events per year, some of which are arranged by the choir, and others where the choir has been booked by some organisation, usually for some fund raising venture. When booked by an organisation, the choir will present the full concert, complete with compere, soloists, and supporting artistes as required, which can be for instance another choir or instrumental group. The choir has several very good comperes within its ranks, and can provide amusing or formal, as required, to meet any occasion.
The choir also places emphasis on competing in choral competitions. This is partly a discipline to maintain standards, and partly for the "buzz" and excitement of it. Also, the choir feels an obligation to support choral festivals, which sadly in recent years are in decline. The choir competes nationally and internationally, having competed many times in England, Wales, several times in Germany, and also in Ireland. The choir visited South Africa in 2001.
However, there is more to singing than presenting concerts and entering competitions. More than anything, the choir sings for the pleasure of the audience. There is the "tingle factor", that special something that male voice choirs can sometimes achieve that makes the hairs rise on the back of the neck. This is what Hart strives for, and which needs working for. It is epitomised in the comment made by an adjudicator at the Cheltenham Music Festival (where HMVC won 1st Prize) "Splendid, vivid and stylish singing, I just put down my pen and listened". When the choir evokes such a response, or sees the joy in the faces in its audience, then it has met its aims and objectives.
Copyright © 2008 Hart Male Voice Choir