Choir History
40 Years of Song and Community
The Radcliffe on Trent Male Voice Choir began its journey in 1983, thanks to the vision of Welshman Clive Sims. Inspired by the rich tradition of male voice choirs, Clive gathered a group of enthusiastic singers, and by November that year, 28 men took the stage for their first concert in Radcliffe. Under Clive’s energetic leadership, the choir quickly grew, performing across Nottinghamshire and beyond, and even making its mark in Wales with a memorable 1988 tour to Llantrisant.
As the choir flourished, it welcomed new musical directors who each left their own legacy. Richard Howarth, a baritone with a background at the Guildhall School of Music and Kent Opera, took the helm in 1989. Over two decades, Richard led the choir through more than 345 performances, expanding its repertoire and encouraging members to perform from memory—always with his signature call, “watch me!”
Carrying the Baton Through the Years
More recently, the choir has benefited from the leadership of directors like Victoria Barlow and Michael Bonshor—a champion of the health and wellbeing benefits of singing—and Deborah Davies, who steered the choir through the challenges of the pandemic with creativity and resilience.
The choir’s musical journey has been supported by outstanding accompanists, including the internationally acclaimed Eleonora Babitskaya, who played with the choir for over twenty years. Today, the choir is accompanied by Sue Bennett, whose musicianship, support and dedication are invaluable to the choir’s ongoing success.
Since August 2024, the choir is led by Musical Director Kieran Seymour, who brings fresh energy and expertise to the role, supported by Deborah Davies and her wide ranging skill and experience. The choir continues to welcome men of all ages to experience the joy of singing together. Remarkably, the last founding member still singing with the choir only retired in early 2025.
540 Performances, 220 Venues, 18 Countries
Over four decades, the choir has performed more than 540 times in over 220 venues across England, Wales, and 18 overseas locations. Its repertoire is as diverse as its membership, spanning four centuries and multiple languages—from Byrd to The Beatles and beyond, and from Latin to Zulu. Annual tours have taken the choir to iconic cathedrals such as Liverpool, York Minster, and Exeter, as well as other memorable venues like Cardiff Arms Park (with Shirley Bassey!), the Royal Albert Hall, and even aboard a cruise liner on the Thames.
The Choir's International Adventures
The choir’s international adventures have included tours to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, and the USA, often forging lasting friendships with choirs from around the world. Hosting visiting choirs in Radcliffe has also enriched the choir’s musical and social life.
40th Anniversary in 2023
The 40th anniversary in 2023 was celebrated with a spectacular concert at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe, featuring Derwent Brass and a semi-chorus of superb soloists. The event not only brought together singers old and new but also raised over £1,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
Charity and Community
Charity and community have always been at the heart of the choir’s mission. Since becoming a registered charity in 1996, the choir has helped raise over £450,000 for local and national causes, with annual Christmas charity concerts and other local performances becoming beloved fixtures in the community calendar.
2024 - Men United in Song
In 2024, the choir participated in a national “Men United in Song” project to introduce more men to singing together and to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The choir hosted a “pop-up” choir of over 100 local men who took on the challenge to learn nine songs in nine weeks and perform with the choir in packed concerts at Southwell Minster and Nottingham’s Albert Hall. After the national project finished, the partnership continued locally with a ‘flashmob’ in Nottingham’s Victoria shopping Centre that featured on BBC East Midlands Today. Several men joined the choir following the Men United experience and the choir featured on Jeremy Vine’s national TV show as ‘Christmas Stars’ for our performances and for raising a remarkable £60,000 for the national fundraising effort.
Our Choir Today
Now a very strong and diverse choir of over 70 men, with a formidable music team leading them, the choir looks ahead to its 50th anniversary; the choir remains committed to sharing the joy of music, supporting good causes, and welcoming new members. With a rich history behind it and exciting performances ahead, the Radcliffe on Trent Male Voice Choir continues to thrive, united by friendship, music, and a passion for singing.
This is an abridged version of a more in-depth history, available to read here »