ABBEY Road studios in London may be forever famous as the place where The Beatles made most of their million selling recordings.

But Abbey Road school hall in Malvern has merit for another, more local, musical memory. Because it was there on a chilly January day in 1948 that Malvern Male Voice Choir made its first live radio broadcast to the nation, beamed over the airways on the BBC’s Home Service and introduced by announcer Richard Maddock, manning a microphone in Birmingham. 

A report in the Malvern Gazette of the day concluded: “By this (the broadcast), the Choir have added to their already considerable prestige and have again enhanced the musical reputation of Malvern.” Which was no mean feat considering the town and the Hills have long been associated with inspiring Elgar to write some of his most memorable works.

Formed in 1922, Malvern Male Voice Choir is still going strong as it creeps up on its centenary. Currently there are 35 members ranging in age from late teens to mid Eighties, although it is always looking to add new members. Everyone who enjoys singing is welcomed, whether they're long-time singers  have no experience of choirs at all, or just think they sound decent in the bath. So if you'd like the social life and sense of achievement that singing in a choir can bring, contact membership secretary Graham Purcocks on 01684 892140.

You might also get a chance to sing some of your favourite songs. “Our repertoire is large and our library contains more than 300 titles,” Paul explained. “Currently we are working on an arrangement of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and we do material by Simon and Garfunkel, Lennon and McCartney, Gilbert and Sullivan, songs from films and TV and, of course, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“The fact there’s everything from the full blooded sound of sea shanties to show stoppers from the musicals and classics from the great Welsh male voice choirs.”

Although it doesn’t make a habit of entering competitions, when it does Malvern Voice Choir gives a good account and has won several times at the prestigious Bristol Eisteddfod, leading to a showcase appearance at the city’s Colston Hall. More locally it has sung at the Forum Theatre in Malvern and St Edmund’s Hall and is a firm favourite at retirement homes and private functions, weddings and even the odd funeral.

Paul added: “We are always open to other opportunities and places in which to perform, entertain and inspire.”

The choir meets on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Malvern Link, for about two hours rehearsal under director of music Charles Pavey.

It’s gearing up for a concert there on Saturday, December 14 for the first of two performances that month with recently formed women’s choir Sabrina Voices. This will start at 2.30pm and admission is £7, with 18s and under free. It’ll be a seasonal treat to get you in the mood for Christmas.