Rookie Men’s Choir Stuns Audience in Prostate Cancer Fundraiser
A popular singing project, launched earlier this year, has produced a brand new men’s choir with 46
highly motivated, Northamptonshire-based men all aiming to raise money in support of Prostate
Cancer UK. The project – ‘Men United in Song 2024’ - is part of a National Programme, funded by Arts
Council England, involving five existing Male Voice Choirs:- Northampton, Peterborough, Radcliffe on
Trent, Welwyn Garden and Worcester.
The majority of the men in the Northamptonshire ‘Men United in Song’ choir are totally new to choral
singing and performing in public. They nevertheless took on the enormous task of learning ten songs
in just ten weeks to perform at a Rotary Club of Rushden charity concert as special guests of
Northampton Male Voice Choir (NMVC). To prepare for their debut concert the men worked hard in
rehearsal each week under the leadership of NMVC’s Musical Director, Stephen Bell. And, at its first
ever concert - on 11 May in St Mary’s Church, Higham Ferrers - a ‘sell out’ audience was blown away
by the new choir’s amazing performance.
Speaking after the concert, MD, Stephen said ‘What a journey it’s been. The ‘Men United in Song’ lads
did a really great job. Zero to performance - 10 songs in 10 weeks – unbelievable! They just didn’t
know that it was impossible! And now they go on to take part in a concert in Nottingham as part of a
huge massed choir with upwards of 400 other men from the five areas involved in this project.’
Reflecting on the new choir’s performance NMVC Chairman, Mark York, said ‘Despite my having been
involved with these guys since the outset of the ‘Men United in Song’ project, I was completely taken
aback by their energy, enthusiasm and fantastic singing. I can’t congratulate them enough. One of the
main objectives of the project is to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in support of its fight to combat
this terrible disease. We’ve already raised in the region of £3000 and our efforts are ongoing.’
Anyone wishing to help can donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/great-north-run-
2024-55960
While sharing their experiences in the ‘Men United in Song’ project, these are just a few of the
comments made by the Northamptonshire-based men involved:-
? Terrifying and awesome. Sign me up for more.
? The whole experience has just been amazing. I’ve really loved and enjoyed every bit of it.
? My 17 year old lad said ‘proud of you dad’. Not sure I’ve heard that before. How satisfying was
that?
? I'm so pleased to have been part of this whole experience and look forward to taking 'next
steps'.
? This has been a massively positive experience for me, throughout.
? When we were waiting in the wings and could see the audience I felt like a gladiator getting
ready to enter the arena. The whole experience from day one has been very special for me.
To watch Northamptonshire’s Men United in Song Choir performing ‘Tell My Father’ (from the musical
‘The Civil War’) go to https://bit.ly/44Ohi9l