WHAT SOME OF THE MEN HAD TO SAY
Why?
I’ve always wanted to try a choir and this seemed like a great way to try it and for a great cause. Lots of new people in the same boat made it less intimidating.
I have prostate cancer and been involved in PS fund raising- and enjoy karaoke singing.
I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer 6 years ago - I wanted to give something back and my brother, who himself died 5 years ago of cancer, was a life long member of a male voice choir.
I have prostate cancer, I appreciate, enjoy and benefit from many sorts of music, I have not been able to play a musical instrument. So all that remains is my voice - some say the finest musical instrument - which seems in some degree to have risen to the challenge. And an opportunity to support prostate cancer research.
My brother-in-law had prostate cancer and died suddenly three weeks ago; my sister passed away years ago from leukaemia. Also, my wife is in remission having survived having acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (including a successful bone marrow transplant). I wanted to give something back to a charity that is working hard to support anyone with cancer and their carers.
Never been a choir member since school. Prostatectomy 20 yrs ago.
I know a few people who have got or have had prostate cancer. I wanted to raise money for the charity and also to put myself outside of my comfort zone in the process.
I saw the leaflets and thought what a fantastic opportunity to do something I’ve not done since infant school and to challenge myself, out of my comfort zone.
Singing at Southwell Minster and the Albert Hall, Nottingham. When else would I get such an opportunity?
Enjoyed most?
The comradeship, organisation, enthusiasm, friendliness, support, communication, commitment and the fantastic outcome at Southwell Ministerđź‘Ť
Being part of an incredibly supportive group and being completely out of my comfort zone whilst also supporting a very just cause. What a fantastic team achievement that I’m proud to have been part of.
Singing in such a large number, the arrangements and the professionalism of the committee and mentors.
The coaching was exceptional and motivational. The support of the mentors has been invaluable.
The first time we sang The Rose and the harmonies kicked in..sent shivers through me and made me cry…but Crossing the Bar turned me into a complete snivelling mess..!!!!
The friendships, the achievements, the sound. It’s been hard work but I would not have missed it - the music team have been wonderful and taught me a lot.
Singing with guys who have never sung before and seeing genuine emotion in practice and then on another level in the performance at Southwell.
Learning how a choir works and hearing the progress we have made week on week. I don’t read music and I now have a basic understanding which is great. I also enjoy the rehearsals and having a laugh - great fun to be a part of!
Firstly, I’ve enjoyed the challenge of the singing, learning the lines. Secondly, and it’s something I didn’t really think about since I’ve finished work, but it is the camaraderie/banter and of course the Pub and it is something I’ve realised that I have missed. The performance at Southwell just astonished me. I was blown away by it all. I couldn’t talk about it for days without getting very emotional. It is probably one of the biggest achievements of my life.
Hearing my wife sing some of the songs.
The thing I enjoyed most was how much I learnt about music and reading sheet music. I’ve been wanting to learn how to for years and it never made sense to me. But after taking part I know I’ll be able to do it!
Trying a new experience whilst feeling really well supported, appreciated and unified by the group and its leadership. Public singing is a daunting thing, but my nerves evaporated within minutes of our first rehearsal.
The sound that we make, and the feeling that I'm a part of it. Right from the first rehearsal, when I heard so many male voices together it was an unforgettable experience and still, even in the warm ups, when me move from humming to vowel sounds, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
The intensity of it all. The superb music team of Kieran, Deborah and Sue. The mentors and the brilliant organisation. The fact that at my voice test I was told I had a lovely voice. Nobody has ever said that to me before!
I have also been amazed by how emotional I have found the music and found myself moved by the sound that we have created in such a short length of time.
Could have done better?
Songs that circle around death coming from a charity performance for cancer support is a weird appearance. Yeah, I get it, PC kills men and we're singing about our fallen boys. However, surely themes of fraternity and bonding together to face this ordeal as a team (dare I say 'chorus') sends a message far exceeding that of just accepting a condition.
I think a variety of songs which elicit a wider range of emotion would have made it even better, to take the audience through a journey.
Some more modern or up tempo music would have been very welcome. Swing/big band, Motown, gospel or even just some less miserable show tunes for example - doesn't have to be totally modern to feel more inviting.
Looking back…
Another amazing moment in my life that was beyond my imagining at the start of this year. The AH concert was a privilege to be a small part of, showing what hidden talents so often lie latent until a unique chance like Men United comes along. Yet again thanks to all who have contributed so much in organising the whole project to provide me and others with a chance to discover new facets of ourselves.
I am one of those who can’t read music and can’t really sing but feel as though I managed to make a contribution both vocally and financially which I am very proud of. Southwell was a night to remember and will stay with me forever! You have all created a magnificent achievement and I wish you all the best for the future in all your endeavours. Keep up the great work.
I wanted to thank all the fantastic people involved in enabling and creating that incredible experience last Friday. It was a terrific evening and very emotional. Whilst singing ‘Tell My Father’, I saw my 6 year-old granddaughter watching, I nearly couldn’t sing as I choked up looking at her. My daughter later told me that my granddaughter‘s eyes were full of tears when she went back to her seat. I shall always remember it.
For me, last Friday night at Southwell Minster was a special evening that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Seeing the audience give us a standing ovation at the end was a bit of an "out of body" experience. You organisers and helpers have all been wonderful from start to finish. Kieran has given us all so much fantastic help and encouragement. He and Deborah have been brilliant.
I would have enjoyed the Albert Hall even more if more emphasis had been given to the rest of the choirs apart from Peterborough, as we all worked hard to achieve the levels.
Very enjoyable. Nice for Peterborough to invite us to their concert. My wife said our diction was immaculate!
Hey Malcolm, I wanted to say how much impact you had on my decision to join, as first contact with you was so very responsive, welcoming and supportive! I'm sure it played a big part in the numbers we ended up with as you made it so easy to decide, especially I'm sure for those who'd never sung before.
The effort and organisation provided by the Radcliffe choir and the music team has been immense, and has made the process much easier for 'us amateurs’.
It has certainly taken me away from worrying and discussing my health with family and friends - the discussion now always seems to be around singing and Men United choir.
Emotionally uplifting, confidence boosting, sense of purpose, fantastic community of like-minded and a genuinely supportive bunch of people. A deeply rewarding experience.
"Mate, it's sick. You get to fully belt out Les Mis".
What a great experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'd do it all over again, hard work but extremely rewarding. Great to be involved with a committed, enthusiastic and friendly bunch of men.
Given me so much confidence and enjoyment in an activity l never thought l would be involved in. This is particularly so relevant in such a challenging time in my life both for my family and myself. I will always be so grateful to yourselves ❤️
Being united with fellow men is like something I'd never experienced before. Men can be compassionate and empathetic, as this event showed.
It is the best thing I've been involved in in recent memory.
I'll be singing 'Who's pigs are these?' for a very long time.
I used to sing in a community choir however, due to the approach of some, I totally lost my confidence in singing. This project has totally restored that.
A little daunting to start with but the friendship, camaraderie and the feeling of euphoria by singing with the choir is second to none and I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it for anything.
I think the whole project, the reasons why I applied , the challenge , the camaraderie and then the performance at Southwell and the standing ovation meant the world to me.
It's been one of the most satisfying and joyous things I've ever been a part of. It has literally changed my life!!!
The satisfaction of reaching goals I felt initially, were beyond me, but most unexpectedly a much deeper, emotional, human experience of working and cooperating together with a band of men to create a collective outcome that could not be done alone.
One of the best things I have done in my life (86yrs)
Being in the Men United choir has opened a whole new world to me and I would love to carry on with the journey
I did not know what to expect when I joined the choir as a complete novice, however it’s gone way past my expectations. It has been one of the highlights of my life
I appreciate this was a ‘pilot’ but kudos to everyone involved. Utterly slick. Totally welcoming. And you’ve supported us throughout. You should be very proud of yourselves.
And thank you…..
Just thank you so much to all the people who have set up and ran such a professionally well organised and incredibly exciting and rewarding event. Loved and am loving every minute.
Thank you to Sue for being such a wonderful pianist for us, you’ve inspired me to try to learn the piano again!
Kieran, Deborah and Sue have been fantastic and supportive. We were lucky to have such talented and approachable people. Likewise our Radcliffe Choir mentors have been great as well
Special shout out to Keiran in particular, for making the process fun, relatable and emotional. He's a natural in this environment and we've all benefitted from it!
Thank you for all the hard work given freely by ROTMVC , especially the back room boys who have worked so efficiently to produce newsletters and links to keep us all up to date .
Everyone involved in ROTMVC in setting up and running this project has done an amazing job. Thank you.
A heart felt thank you to all concerned. It has been a blast!
