Penzance Orpheus Ladies Choir formed in 1953, evolving from Penzance Girls Choir. Under the leadership of John J Matthews who was Musical director for 34 years, the Choir took part in many major music festivals and tours, travelling all over the UK and further afield to Malta and Belgium. A particular highlight was singing at the Royal Albert Hall on two occasions as part of the Burma Star Reunion Celebrations.
Over the years, we have continued to tour widely and have been delighted to be invited twice to join the massed choirs at the Festival of Brass and Voices at the Royal Albert Hall. Our most recent tour, after our return from covid-19, was in 2023 to Bournemouth. There we sang on the first night at Winton Methodist Church in a concert specifically arranged for us by The Cornish Society. This raised £800 for a charity supporting the homelessness in Bournemouth. On the second night we were guests of Bournemouth Male Choir at the prestigious Christchurch Priory. It was a daunting venue, but despite only twenty five of us singing, we rose nobly to the occasion and gave an amazing performance!
With now over forty singers, the Choir has grown in numbers over the last couple of years, but is always keen to welcome new members. We sing a wide and varied range of music, from Abba to Zip-a dee-doodah, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and love to share the joy of music-making. Although reading music is an obvious advantage, it is not essential, and learning C.D.s and downloads are available to help with learning new pieces at home.
Stephen Lawry has been our MD since 2008. A Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, he is also the MD of Mousehole Male Voice Choir and somehow manages to find the time to sing with Buccas Four and Mounts Bay Singers, as well.
Rebecca Mayall has been our accompanist since 2014 and we are fortunate to be supported by someone with such talent, enthusiasm and patience.
Bex Gibson has been our Deputy MD for well over a year now and has been a delightful addition to the Choir. She not only helps to conduct, but she also accompanies some pieces on the flute.
Tours over the past 25 years
2009 Return visit to Penzance by La Chorale La Croche Choeur
2010 Tour to Midsummer Norton and Bath with Westfield Ladies
2011 Tour to Worcester with Worcester MVC
2012 Tour to Isle of Wight with Newchurch MVC and Wight Harmony
2013 Tour to Bournemouth with Bournemouth MVC and Casterbridge MVC
Tour to Bath with Salvation Army Band
2014 Tour to Yorkshire and Lancashire with Steeton Male Choir and Nelson Arions
2015 Tour to Wells Cathedral, Avon and Somerset police Choir, Mendip Male voice, in Bath, April
Cancer Research Festival Brass and voices Royal Albert Hall, in November
2016 Tour to Wales singing with Pontypridd MV and Builth MV
2017 Tour to the Cotswolds
2018 Short tour to Barnstaple
2018 Short Tour to London, singing at The Royal Albert Hall - Festival of Brass and Voices (Cancer Research fundraiser)
2023 Tour to Bournemouth singing at Winton Methodist Church and with Bournemouth Male Choir
Over the years, we have continued to tour widely and have been delighted to be invited twice to join the massed choirs at the Festival of Brass and Voices at the Royal Albert Hall. Our most recent tour, after our return from covid-19, was in 2023 to Bournemouth. There we sang on the first night at Winton Methodist Church in a concert specifically arranged for us by The Cornish Society. This raised £800 for a charity supporting the homelessness in Bournemouth. On the second night we were guests of Bournemouth Male Choir at the prestigious Christchurch Priory. It was a daunting venue, but despite only twenty five of us singing, we rose nobly to the occasion and gave an amazing performance!
With now over forty singers, the Choir has grown in numbers over the last couple of years, but is always keen to welcome new members. We sing a wide and varied range of music, from Abba to Zip-a dee-doodah, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and love to share the joy of music-making. Although reading music is an obvious advantage, it is not essential, and learning C.D.s and downloads are available to help with learning new pieces at home.
Stephen Lawry has been our MD since 2008. A Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, he is also the MD of Mousehole Male Voice Choir and somehow manages to find the time to sing with Buccas Four and Mounts Bay Singers, as well.
Rebecca Mayall has been our accompanist since 2014 and we are fortunate to be supported by someone with such talent, enthusiasm and patience.
Bex Gibson has been our Deputy MD for well over a year now and has been a delightful addition to the Choir. She not only helps to conduct, but she also accompanies some pieces on the flute.
Tours over the past 25 years
2009 Return visit to Penzance by La Chorale La Croche Choeur
2010 Tour to Midsummer Norton and Bath with Westfield Ladies
2011 Tour to Worcester with Worcester MVC
2012 Tour to Isle of Wight with Newchurch MVC and Wight Harmony
2013 Tour to Bournemouth with Bournemouth MVC and Casterbridge MVC
Tour to Bath with Salvation Army Band
2014 Tour to Yorkshire and Lancashire with Steeton Male Choir and Nelson Arions
2015 Tour to Wells Cathedral, Avon and Somerset police Choir, Mendip Male voice, in Bath, April
Cancer Research Festival Brass and voices Royal Albert Hall, in November
2016 Tour to Wales singing with Pontypridd MV and Builth MV
2017 Tour to the Cotswolds
2018 Short tour to Barnstaple
2018 Short Tour to London, singing at The Royal Albert Hall - Festival of Brass and Voices (Cancer Research fundraiser)
2023 Tour to Bournemouth singing at Winton Methodist Church and with Bournemouth Male Choir
Newlyn Fish Festival
in concert Westbourne Bournemouth 2013
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singing outside West Cornwall Hospital
Worcester tour
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