Based in Swadlincote, nestled at the southern tip of Derbyshire, England, Gresley takes its name from the Parish of Church Gresley nearby, where the choir was born in 1904. The choir has over 50 members and fulfills on average 22 engagements a year performing for a range of societies from small groups, churches to national bodies, and has toured extensively, in the U.K., Ireland, Europe and U.S.A. including a number of choir exchange visits.
Rehearsals are held in the schoolroom at Newhall Methodist Church Schoolroom, Newhall, Swadlincote, DE11 0TU on Wednesdays 7.30 to 9.00pm. and Fridays 7.30 to 9.15pm. The choir has an extensive repertoire covering classical, operetta, grand opera, music from the shows, popular music, part songs and religious music.
Our History
The first Sunday in February 1904 was Men's Sunday at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Church Gresley and fifteen men formed a male voice choir for the day. The minister was so impressed he urged the men to continue as a choir, as the cliche goes, the rest is history. However, the title of Church Gresley Primitive Methodist Male Voice Choir, was over the years shortened to the one now used as shown above. Within those fifteen men were five Walton brothers, and George Walton was the first conductor of the male choir, a position he held for eighteen years.
In the choir's history of 114 years there has only been six conductors, each contributing an important phase in the choir's history.
Rehearsal Location
Newhall Methodist Church
Chapel St
Why You Should Join
Singing with a choir is ‘on trend’ right now, for very good reasons – keeps you active and healthy; it’s a lot of fun; you meet lots of new folk; and you get to perform some fantastic tunes to really appreciative audiences and raise money for charities at the same time.
If you have an interest in joining the choir, contact the Choir Registrar on email [email protected] and come along and visit us and "try us out"!!
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