The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir

Annual General Meeting held on 29 October 2007
  Chairman's Report
 We have a busy pre-Christmas schedule, so I hope we can move swiftly through the reports and other business that needs discussing and get on with what we do best, singing. I know our Secretary has a detailed report to present so I will be brief and trust that too much repetition doesn't occur. Thank you to all those who make this Choir tick. Without the dedication of those people, who are prepared to step up to the plate, this organisation would not exist. Yes, of course, we can't manage without the musical talents of Andrew, John, Bill and Anne, they fill a vital role and do a sterling job, but without the hard work and commitment that so many other members give, we wouldn't be the smooth-running unit that we are. Thank you everyone. The future - it cannot have escaped anyone's notice that the word 'recruitment' has cropped up a lot just lately. Gentlemen, we could do with a few more members. We all know of the pleasures, the friendships, and the enjoyment that are gained from being part of the Dalesmen. Spread the word if you can and try to influence someone you know to come and give it a try. Please distribute both of the leaflets we have available, wherever you think they might attract attention. It has been proposed that we have a discussion regarding this topic at the end of the meeting, so I don't intend to say anything further just now. If we all keep working hard in every aspect of the Choir's activities, I am convinced our future will be assured.
  Secretary's Report
Gentlemen - 20 Singing engagements - 12 Committee Meetings - 2 less Concerts than last year. Committee meetings have all been well attended by your committee representatives. This year sees 3 new nominations to the choir committee and I would like to impress on all the committee members that regular attendance is needed at all committee meetings whenever possible. We have now had one full year under the leadership of our MD Andrew, and reports back from all our concerts say how improved our singing and the content of our programmes are. We must also extend our thanks to our Deputy MD John Lloyd who has so ably backed up Andrew, not only at our concerts but also at our practices. Both MD's, the choir and the soloists, I am sure, would like me to thank our Principal Accompanist, Bill Templeman, for his dedication to our choir with his talents on the keyboard. I think it must be his 11th year with the choir. Thanks also to Mary for turning over the pages for all those years. The appointment of Anne Osborne, as Deputy Accompanist, has meant Bill can take the odd concert or practice off to enjoy his recently acquired motor home. We thank Anne for her contribution to the successful concerts we have had; it has been a particularly stressful time for her recently in moving from the area. Our President, Reg, receives our congratulations on reaching that marvellous 105 not out, and like any great batsman must renew his concentration and aim for the next target, 110. Reg, thank you for all the inspiration you give to us all in the choir, we all love you and wish you a very happy concert on 1 November and a marvellous birthday on 4 November. Our Chairman, Paul, works unceasingly for the betterment of the choir, often uplifting us and keeping us on an even keel. He still continues to transport and house our staging and is always looking for further funding to benefit our choir. Recently he, with a small committee, has produced some marvellous publicity pamphlets to help with recruitment of new members. Our Treasurer, Gordon, in his first year, has dealt very efficiently with the choir accounts and he has ideas he will bring into effect in the year ahead, which will help in the day to day running of the choir accounts. The Secretary has a very close working relationship with the Treasurer and it has been my pleasure to work with Gordon. Our Minutes Secretary, Sid, not only produces such excellent minutes, he is Editor of our quarterly Newsletter, in charge of our website, arranges and plans our transport and is always willing to give a hand when needed. John Dickinson has done a sterling job with the discipline and presentation of the choir at concerts. When watching other choirs, I feel quite proud of what he has achieved with us. Most of us know that as you get older, the joints do not readily respond to movement after standing for a while. During the year John with John Lloyd have visited most of the venues to view their suitability to hold a concert, and if so plan the staging, seating and parking arrangements well in advance. Many miles have been covered, at their own expense, and we owe them great thanks. We also need to give our Publicity Officer a big thank you as he retires after five years in office. We know this can be a frustrating job at the hands of Newspaper Editors, but Alan has done an excellent job and always done his best to promote the choir in and on all the media. We look forward to our nominated Publicity Officer, Paul Redshaw, taking over the reins with all that youthful exuberance and keenness. Librarian, John Crockford has had a busy time issuing and recalling music and keeping our music library up to date. Your Voice Representatives are there to represent you and your views to the choir committee so please use them. Special thanks to them for their input this year. Norman Laud is standing down this year and we especially thank him for the times he accepted the post of acting chairman at our committee meetings. Special thanks to Roger Francombe for handling our ticket sales, Chris Hayward for handling our uniform, videos & CD's, Geoff Hirst for helping with our printing and copying, and Mike Greenwood for producing our weekly attendance record. I would personally like to thank John Cresswell who has relieved me of the job of producing posters and tickets, and also for producing such good pictures of the choir for publicity purposes. Everyone of you is a special part of this successful choir, and we are always looking for others to help in the everyday running of the choir, so if you feel you could help in some way and so share the workload, please see Paul or myself. Our sales of DVD's, CD's, etc. have kept up quite well this year and we thank Ethel and Christine and others who have helped with carrying and manning our sales counter this year. Many of our Ladies have been involved on the catering side, raffles, etc. and a special 'thank you' to them. Where would this choir be without the faithful following and help of our Ladies. I am hoping this coming year they will form a committee of their own to organise some social events, take care of catering, raffles at concerts, etc and generally help with fund raising and the building up of the fellowship we already have in this choir. Gentlemen you have all worked hard this year to help produce the sound Andrew is aiming to get. Andrew says you are getting there. He wants to get you to the top. Have you got the same ambition? If you have, it will mean we have to work harder to get there, not only on a Monday but more homework and better attendance at Concerts. Are you still willing? I am sure you are. Gentlemen. Let's go for it!
  Musical Director 's Report
As the Musical man of actions, I will be brief. After another season, many thanks to the Committee, to Reg for his unswerving support and the tremendous hard work by all choristers. Special thanks to John, Bill, Anne and Mary, "the music team", for creativity, inspiration and musicality. Our performance - although the voice is the most expressive and flexible of musical instruments, it can also be the most mundane and dull, especially as an ensemble. My personal brief, after studying other male voice choirs, was to engage audiences with a greater emotional journey. The tools for this are; a well-planned repertoire, musical shape and the projection of expression. Giving simple musical structure, music psychology and building up chorister confidence, we have achieved this. Congratulations to you all. I will guarantee that you will never give a boring musical performance. The future - we must remember that music is a marketable product at any level. We can hold our heads up high, knowing that we are at a high level in our field. Although I can take care of the music side, I am greatly concerned about some choristers' perception of the way forward. This Choir was a sleeping giant and now it has been awakened. Therefore, we must all move in the same direction with relentless enthusiasm to reach the stars. We must remove the parochial attitude to our music and performance. Enjoyment is paramount but musical development needs a concerted personal approach too. Fitting that into your section makes a strong team. I have confidence in all of you, it is now time to have confidence in yourselves and go to another level. My general music choice and purchases will be more modern. I am concerned about increasing the membership and, being an angler, the bait will be music, to attract new members, who have particular eras they like, e.g. Rat Pack, Frankie Valli, Bob Dylan, Queen, etc. We have to move away a little from tradition to survive, if we don't do it, others will, and gain membership. Once again I've kept my ear to the ground for the future. Finally, this is the AGM, a speakeasy for the future. All of you have an invitation to discuss matters and give your opinions. It's your Choir, don't sit like lemons. I have enjoyed every bit of my time with the Dalesmen MVC so far and I don't think that will change. Let's all have a happy, empathic and musical future. Thanks for listening.