JOE'S THE MANN FOR THE JOB AS NEW CHOIR ROLE ANNOUNCED

An award-winning choir from Chester has appointed a new Musical Director ahead of a series of upcoming concerts.

Chester Male Voice Choir recently announced that Chester based musician Joseph Mann has accepted an invitation to become its new MD ahead of a series of upcoming performances.

Joe, who is also a professionally trained actor, studied at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. Since graduating, he has worked extensively in the performing arts industry in touring musicals, repertory theatre, pantomimes, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Theatre In Education.

As a musical director, Joe has worked with a wide variety of ages, groups and projects, both professional and community, ranging from large-scale musicals, charity fundraisers, and fringe productions, through to adventures in the land of Oz, peril on the high seas and even fighting off monsters in outer space. Credits Include The Chester Mystery Plays 2018 Cycle (Assistant Musical Director), One Voice Community Choir (Frodsham), Fireflies Community Choir, Footloose Musicals, Quartz Youth Theatre, Bitesize Youth Theatre, and the Bitesize Musical Theatre Singers Choir, Pants On Fire (Carol Tambor Best Of Edinburgh Award).

Speaking about appointing Joe as their new Musical Director following the retirement of longstanding conductor Rodney T Jones, choir Chairman Blair Wilson said, “These are exciting times and we look forward to working with Joe as he takes the choir forwards. There has never a better time to join the choir than now. New members are always welcome and we look forward to new members joining us as we embark on this new and exciting venture”.

Speaking about taking up his new role, Joe said "I am so thrilled to have been appointed as MD; the choir has such a long, rich history and I am honoured to be part of that legacy. I have had the pleasure of working with the choir already for a couple of months, so I am very excited to see in what new directions the choir can grow."

Meanwhile, the choir recently celebrated being honoured by the Cheshire Voluntary Arts Network after they were recognised for their contribution to music in the County and beyond, winning the Music Category at the Cheshire Voluntary Arts Network Awards for 2022. The award was presented to the choir by Jeannie France-Hayhurst, The High Sheriff of Cheshire at a glittering awards ceremony held at Theatre Porto (formerly Action Transport Theatre) in Ellesmere Port. The choir was also invited to sing at the event which celebrated the contribution to the Arts made by voluntary organisations including choirs, theatre companies, dance companies, youth theatres and many more, throughout Cheshire. 

Following on from their recognition at the awards ceremony, the choir has several concert performances to look forward to including an appearance at a special fund-raising dinner on 26 November at Clink Restaurant adjacent to Styal Women's Prison. The restaurant is a registered charity that rehabilitates offenders by training them in hospitality industry skills and claims to reduce reoffending on release by more than 50%. The choir will also be staging its traditional Christmas concert which this year takes place at St Columba's R C Church in Newton on 2 December at 7.30pm when they will be joined by special guests Sale Brass Band. Continuing the Christmas theme, on 10 December, the choir have been invited to perform at a fund-raising event at Tatton Park for the Christie Cancer Charity alongside the award winning Foden's Brass Band.

Full details of the choir and all upcoming events can be found at 

www.chestermalevoice.com 

...where tickets can also be booked online.

Pictured - Chester Male Voice Choir.