CHORISTERS

Current Choristers

Through the Years

2013

We are thrilled to have welcomed twelve new choristers during 2013:-  Top tenors David Price, Stephen Edwards, Peter Williams, Frank Wells, John Antell and Garry Veale; 2nd tenors Stefan Edwards, Russell Woodward and Lee Rees; Baritones Craig Howells and Phil Cody and Bass Paul Carlson.

2014

In 2014 we are pleased to have welcomed another twelve new members; 2nd tenor Gary Smith,  baritone Scott Davies, top tenor Robert Stallard, 2nd tenors George Boswell, Andrew Cox and David Woolnough, 2nd basses, David John, Chris Nolan, baritone Andy McDonnell and top tenors, brothers Nick and Nigel Antell who join their brother John and Dylan Balgobin.  Regrettably, due to many other commitments, David John, Jason Dawe, and Garry Veale have decided not to continue with the choir.

2015

Recruitment in 2015 started in April with the introduction of 2nd tenor Robert Baldwin.  In May we were joined by baritones Harry Giblin, Sam Atkins and Liam Evans and top tenor John Searle.  Let’s hope for many more to come. Regrettably bass chorister Kevin Jones has left the choir for personal reasons and tenor Frank Wells has left to pursue pastoral work in Egypt. Aldwyn Caswell, Phil Cody and David Woolnough have retired on medical grounds. Dylan Balgobin has left the choir due to other commitments.

2016

Following the Annual concert in April 2016 the choir has recruited four new members in 2nd tenors Alan Loy, Richard Loy, Baritone Darren Lloyd and Bass Stuart Parry.  Regrettably, we are saddened that Doug King has retired from the choir on health grounds.  Doug was presented with the Choir’s Lifetime Achievement Award and endowed as an Honorary Vice president at the Annual Concert in 2016.  Also in 2016 former Bass chorister Richie Llewellyn announced that he will shortly be moving to the Isle of Man.  

Our latest recruits are baritone Chris Richards who joined us in July 2016.  He has since been joined by even more in baritone Mark Antell, brother of tenors John, Nick and Nigel, 2nd tenor Andy Friedman, top tenor Bob Hillier and basses  Peter Fagan and Oliver Edwards joining in September and October.  Richard Loy has informed us that due to work commitments and distance he is unable to continue with the choir but new recruit Oliver Edwards brought along his friend Nathan Smith who joined us as a top tenor. This incredible recruitment of ELEVEN new members since April maintains our numbers, despite retirements and moves away up to an amazing NINETY.  The Choir is also delighted that after an absence of over three years, top tenor Kevin Bajjada has returned to the choir.  Nathan Smith and Bob Hillier have decided that they are unable to commit to the choir.

Sadly, we have been informed that bass chorister for well over 30 years, David Scott has decided to retire from the choir at the end of 2016.  He will be greatly missed and we all wish him well for the future.

2017

Recently new second tenor Maurice Penny, who joined us in January passed his second voice test and becomes a new member in March 2017. Maurice has since left the choir to join Chepstow MVC. Second tenor Paul Priest who joined in March 2017 and bottom bass Colin Hart who joined us in April 2017 both passed their second voice test in June.

Due to ill health and other personal circumstances, it was announced on April 27th 2017 that second tenors George Boswell and Lee Rees have retired from the choir.  Choir numbers in September 2017 are now 82 choristers eligible to sing at concerts.  Also we are sad to announce that due to ill health, long serving baritone of 19 years service and former PRO, John Ashcroft has decided to retire from the Choir. Both baritone of over 12 years Allan Saye and bass chorister of well over 25 years, Terry Plummer have also decided to retire on health grounds.

2018

2018 started with the news that due to ill health 2nd tenor Ron Palmer retired from the Choir. Ron was a chorister for about 15 years, many of those as Treasurer and he took great pleasure and pride in collecting all sorts of memorabilia to archive for the Choir’s history.

However, since the start of the new year, we have recruited a second tenor in the form of Ron Ashton who recently moved from Bristol to Caldicot. Ron switched to Chepstow MVC in 2021.

Regretfully, Bass chorister John MacCarthur has informed us that due to continuing ill health and the distance from Coleford to Caldicot he is unable to continue with the choir.  Long-serving chorister and one-time committee member he will be missed.

We were joined in September by new chorister, second tenor  Alasdair Stewart. Alasdair has now passed his second voice test in January. In November we were joined by baritone Peter Hewett who passed his second voice test in March 2019.

2019

Due to work commitments top tenors Nick and John Antell resigned from the choir in January 2019.

2020

In January 2020 we have learned that long standing top tenors Granville Sherborn and Brian Press can no longer serve the choir due to ill health, Brian has also moved to Bridgend. Both served the choir for well over 30 years and will be greatly missed.

On March 2nd 2020, the first of the four potential choristers who walked in through the door during January, bottom bass Nigel Keen passed his second voice test to become a full member of the Choir. Nigel is professional musician (flute) so his knowledge of music made his task much easier.

Unfortunately the Choir had to shut down on March 20th due to the Corona Virus pandemic and the new recruits will have to wait until the choir re-opens to take their second voice tests.

During the pandemic shutdown choristers Vince Lewis and Tommy Hole announced their retirement.

2022

The Choir is thrilled to welcome bottom bass Mark Campbell who passed his second voice test at practice on February 7th 2022. Mark is the first recruit for almost 2 years because of the pandemic. Congratulations also to Bass Andrew Yearsley who passed his second voice test on 21st March 2022.

Bottom Bass Paul Carlson has retired from the choir in March 2022 since he has moved to Porthcawl.

Congratulations to Wayne Phillips who passed his second voice test on 7th July 2022 to join the second tenors and attended his first concert at the Newport Yemini Welsh Festival in August 2022

Pleased to announce that Stephen Cadogan passed his second voice test to join the baritones on 26th September 2022. Stephen had previously been a member of other male voice choirs so this was an easy step. However Stephen has resigned from the choir in February 2023 due to personal circumstances. Also pleased that baritone Nick Dance also passed his second voice test in December 2022.

Baritone Rob Brown tendered his resignation in December 2022 due to over-riding other commitments. Rob had recently been awarded a long service certificate for completing 25 years with the Choir.

2023

The Choir is delighted to welcome new members Paul Light, Matthew Johns, Owen Johnson, Keith Gibbs, Adrian Hallworth who passed their first voice tests in January 2023 and Stephen Hawkes who passed his first voice test in February. We also welcome back top tenor Ben Walker on his return after an absence of 3 years due to work commitments.

On 27th March 2023, Paul Light, Matthew Johns and Owen Johnson were presented with a certificate and choir tie in recognition of their passing the second voice test to become full members of the choir.

On 13th May Adrian Hallworth was presented with a Certificate in recognition of his passing his second voice test and on 22nd May bass Stephen Hawkes passed his second voice test. Bass chorister Shaun Clarke and top tenor Paul Davies joined in late July.

On 17th August new baritone chorister Kevin Evans passed his second voice test to become a full member of the choir and made his first public appearance at the Anniversary Concert.

Congratulations to new bass chorister Shaun Clarke for passing his second voice test on 2nd October 2023. The tenth this year.

2024

The Choir was thrilled to welcome Olivia Dance as principal accompanist on January 8th 2024.

On the 4th April second tenor Richard Mount passed his second voice test and was presented with his certificate and tie on 2nd of May..

Sadly second tenor Garry Keeble has resigned from the choir due to health concerns. Baritone Andy McDonell has resigned for personal reasons.

On 16th September new chorister, baritone Stephen Bowen passed the second voice test but baritone Kevin Evans has moved away from Caldicot and left the choir.