Wicklow Male Voice Choir is a community choir serving the area from Bray in the North to Arklow in the South and Roundwood, Rathdrum to the West.

New members are always welcomed. No experience is necessary. Just bring your voice and enthusiasm and the choir will provide the rest.

New members do a private audition after attending a couple of rehearsals. The function of the audition is to help the musical director decide which line the new member should belong to – 1st Tenor, 2nd Tenor, 1st Base or 2nd base. Once a new member is assigned to a line,he will be given a buddy / mentor from the line to help him settle in and to help him learn to read music when required.

While the choir strives to achieve the highest possible standard, we always remember that the primary objective is to have fun and an escape from everyday troubles and woes. When you leave a Wicklow Male Voice Choir rehearsal, you don’t walk out – you float out!

Concerts:

We hold our main concert each Christmas and contribute to local charities from revenues earned. Since 2014, we have made significant contributions (many thousands) to the Society of St.Vincent De Paul, Wicklow Lions Club, Wicklow Ukraine Appeal and the Wicklow Mental Health Society. This concert is our main show piece and is hugely anticipated by both choir members and audience alike. We always have a high profile national guest (often international). In the past we have had renowned sophranos Regina Nathan and Cara O’Sullivan and RTE Concert Orchestra Lead Violinist Alan Smale.

In addition, on invitation we also do concerts for specific charities. Recent charities to benefit include the Wicklow Lions Club, St Catherines Newcastle, Wicklow Cancer Support and Wicklow Ukraine Appeal.

Competitions:

The choir enters up to 3 competitions each year. The concerts are a favourite with the choir as we often score highly (winning many) and it always provides us with the opportunity to show off our prowess. In addition, the competitions involve some travel which usually leads to an opportunity for all to enjoy a social singsong! In the past, we have competed in New ross, Navan, Arklow, Sligo, Derry, Castlebar, Kiltimagh and Bangor in County Down.

National & International Weekend Tours:

Some of the competitions lead to weekend tours but in addition we often tour abroad as ambassadors for Wicklow and the choir. We have travelled to Wales, France, Poland and Germany and further trips abroad are always being considered. Our most recent tour was to Montigny in France in April 2018. Every tour has been a major success and all are fondly remembered by both the choir members and hosts.

Rehearsals:

We rehearse every Tuesday night from September to May in the Pastoral Centre, Wicklow from 8:00pm to 10:00pm.

AGM:

The AGM is held no later than the end of February. All members are asked to participate.

Costs & Uniform

Annual membership is €50, payable in January.

Members pay €5 at each rehearsal to help pay for the hire of the room and other costs.

You will receive a full set of digital music shortly after you join. Spare copies of sheet music, learning CD’s, etc. are available from the Choir Librarian.

Full uniform consists of Blazer & Tie (supplied), white shirt, black pants, socks, shoes. Uniforms are organised by Simon Forde. There is a white polo shirt, Jumpers  for informal wear (e.g. travelling). This latter is optional at €45.

If you want to join or need more information, please contact any member of the choir or committee. We would love to hear from you.