Welcome to
Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir's website
Based in Derby, the choir has been singing and helping raise money for charity since 1956.
New members are always welcome. No experience is necessary but a pleasant voice, a willingness to learn and be part of a close-knit team are essential. Please see further information in the Joining the Choir section.
#BRINGBACKMYCHOIR
This year we're supporting our heroes within the NHS and will be donating £6 for every one of our new CDs that we sell.
Click on Image to see previous Tracks of my Years
Second tenor and choir treasurer, Michael Ireland, is the latest in our series of "Tracks of my Years". It's amazing how much is revealed of a person's personality when they share their favourite music with the world
He Who Picks A Rose – Jimmy Ruffin. Vinyl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnEvF1Hfzng
From the age of 14 I have been into Northern Soul. There are so many songs to choose from but this is the one for my top ten. It is a typical Northern Soul song, and it is great to dance to.
Keepin’ It to Myself - Average White Band. 1974 Album on Vinyl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktZMdV7QTdI
The Average White Band were the first group I went to see live. The concert was at the Birmingham Odeon. Their most famous song is ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ but ‘Keep it to Myself’ has always been a favourite of mine.
Fantasy – Earth Wind and Fire. 1977 Album on Vinyl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r58GQYFZeLE
This song is sung by Phil Bailey (who also had a number 1 with Phil Collins, Easy Lover). I saw Earth, Wind and Fire in concert at Bingley Hall in 1977 and at the NEC in 1981.
I have chosen the next 3 songs as they are memories of the New Years Eve parties I had with the family at my Mum and Dad’s which went on into the early hours.
Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Junior. Single on Vinyl 1988
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9We2XsVZfc
‘Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! The chorus was always sung with great gusto especially when the family grew with nephews and nieces.
Saturday Night Fever- The Bee Gees Vinyl 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkypZuY6ZvA
The ladies were dressed up in overcoats, hats and wellington boots and with my choreography we would copy John Travolta’s dance moves. My nephew was married in 2019 and this was played at the reception. The Ireland clan and extended family were straight to the floor. My niece is now a dance teacher, so we were a bit more polished on this occasion.
Everybody Want to Rule the World – Tears for Fears Vinyl 1982
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awoFZaSuko4
A family favourite that was sung in full. Great memories. I was fortunate to be able to see Tears for Fears at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham in 1992 with Janet
I am now sharing my romantic side with the next 2 songs.
A Different Corner George Michael CD 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPWHkK-_a_A
The building company I worked for in the mid-1980s had contracts to refurbish the Steak Restaurant chain of Berni Inns. In 1987 there were two properties to be completed, a restaurant in Shrewsbury and a hotel in Middlesbrough. I was earmarked to go to Shrewsbury as the Site Manager but at the 11th hour it was changed to Middlesbrough. Janet was the Manager of the Hotel in Middlesbrough. The rest is history. We always say this is our song because if I had gone to Shrewsbury….
Never Gonna to Give You Up. Rick Astley CD 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
This was No 1 when Janet and I got together. We still play it and sing along and dance usually when we are washing up! That’s enough of that.
The Greatest Star of All. From the musical Sunset Boulevard CD 1993
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zATHH4-SFJk
I needed to include a song in from one of the many shows I have seen. And I have seen Sunset Boulevard several times. It is a favourite. Most recently in 2019 in Sheffield with Danny Mac as Joe Gillis and Ria Jones as Norma Desmond. This song is sung by Norma’s butler, and former husband, Max von Mayerling.
Word of Mouth. Mike and the Mechanics CD 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTr-HQEE7IU
I went to see Mike and the Mechanics at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham with Mark Kohrs in 2018. I didn’t know any of their songs before I went to the concert, but I now play their songs regularly. This is my favourite and we have been to see them again since.
Due to the current restrictions all choir activity has been cancelled.
Below are some highlights of our previous seasons.
