A happy band of ordinary people who enjoy singing a wide range of music
!
A BRIEF HISTORY
Towards the end of the 19th century Quakers, such as Cadbury,
found the Early Morning Adult Schools, offering the opportunity for adults
to acquire that education missed when they were younger. Following the
success of this movement further activities were included - painting, leatherwork
and music.
Icknield Street School was part of this movement and in
the early 1900 formed a Male Choir calling themselves "Icknield Street
Early Morning Adult School Male Voice Choir". This choir performed many
concerts within the Hockley area.
1910 saw the setting up of the Adult School Union Musical
Festival with Cadburys furnishing a large Challenge Shield for the Male
Voice Choir Competition. Under the expert guidence of conductor Mr. F.
Norton the choir won their first of many trophies.
"PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES"
At the outbreak of the 1st World War the choirs activities
were suspended, reforming again during 1919/20. A local businessman Mr.
Albert Lancaster, took up to baton, and by the end of 1921 the choir were
performing 30 -40 concerts a year with their accustomed high standard and
extensive repertoire. During this time there was little Sunday entertainment,
Cinemas were not allowed to open unless for charity. The Sunday Observance
Society would arrange concert, and the Choir were to be heard at many of
the local Cinemas and Theatre Palaces on Sunday evenings. The Choir regularly
entertained the inmates at Winson Green Prison who were a very apppreciative
(if captive) audience. The Choir under Albert Lancaster entered many Musical
Festivals winning many competitions, until at the age of 65 Mr. Lancaster
had to retire. The Choir had anticipated this and had been grooming Mr.
Harold Winters to pick up the baton.
Icknield Street Early Morning Adult School Male Voice Choir,
Shield winners in 1934. Note: our concert
secretary Mr. Stewart Bissell recently managed
to trace this sheild and there is a Website
detailing more of its history HERE
"WE'LL MEET AGAIN"
Thus the Choir continued, winning more trophies until
the outbreak of the 2nd World War. During this time small groups would
continue to perform concerts. At the end of hostilities the Choir re-assembled
and were happy to be singing once again. They resumed their former greatness
with successes at Tamworth, Bournville and Leamington Festivals to name
but a few. Their highlight was being asked to perform a concert in Wales
(Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire). Sadly Harold Winters died shortly before
this event but his inspiration lived on, the Choir did not let him down.
"THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING"
Due to the changes in Education Departments and Adult
Evening Classes the Choir had many homes over the next few years.
In the late 50's the Choir changed its name to The
Icknield Male Voice Choir, still keeping their contacts with their roots.
This time saw the arrival of both Les Beech and Michael Adams as conductors.
Following further changes in the Evening Institutes
and ever increasing fees the Choir were on the move again, ending
up at Elmwood Church, Hamstead Hill, until 2001, when another move brought them to the Grimshaw Room near Birmingham City Centre.
A few notable performances more recently have included CHOIR OF THE
WORLD at Cardiff Arms Park in 1992 & 1993, a tour of ATLANTA in
1994, and a visit to Ilfracoombe in 2000
There have been many changes over the years, conductors,members
etc, but one thing lives on from those early days - the love of making
beautiful music.
This thriving, lively and friendly group still carry
on those strong traditions under the expert baton of Steve Roche and ably
accompanied by David Rosser.
