About Us

"Born 1933 and still going strong!" -  to borrow a well-known Kilmarnock phrase!
The Choir can trace its roots back to 1933 when it was formed as an evening class under the control of the local Education Authority. Members paid a fee of 7/6d (37p) to the Authority and the same amount to the choir as an annual subscription.
At a time when male voice choirs were popular throughout the UK, around 52 men signed up. The current choir number is 48. However, the “about right number would be 55” so, as you can see, there's a space just for you!
The first conductor was W. McLeod Nicholson and the Choir prospered under his leadership until the outbreak of World War II when all such activities were suspended.
The Choir restarted after the war with W. Bennet Brown as conductor, and some time later became independent of the Education Authority, with full responsibility for all expenses including hiring conductors and accompanists.
We have been fortunate over the years in obtaining highly talented and dedicated musicians for these positions. In fact, in addition to the two already mentioned there have only been seven conductors of the Choir - Alex Boyd, John Cleland, James Clark, Peter Black, Alex Ferguson ,David Walker & Alistair Peter.
Today, male voice choirs can have an ageing image but we are constantly recruiting new younger members. We have a Student Scheme for students joining us for a season from school or college where, in addition to gaining experience of our choral harmony, they also receive £200. Needless to say, this is not to write off older men who have much to offer.
The choir has always had a strong connection with singers from the town itself as well as men from the surrounding area - Ayr, Troon, Irvine, Fenwick, Kilmaurs, Stewarton, and the Irvine Valley. Individual choirs develop their own style and sound and we are lucky in Kilmarnock to have several excellent choirs. The all-male choir singing in harmony has its own special sound and appeal which we hope will continue to attract singers and audiences.
Over the years, venues for concerts and meetings have taken place in many parts of Auld Killie. Nowadays the choir performs at venues all around the west of Scotland and has taken part in major music festivals in Glasgow and Hamilton.
At the choir's Annual Concert, usually at the end of March, guest soloists had for some years been final year students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. However, in recent times we have enjoyed the wonderful singing of local artistes Gordon Cree and Cheryl Forbes, and the singers of the multi-talented Loudon Musical Society.
The choir tries to sing a mix of all genres of song. With the benefit of the internet, learning your own choral part has never been easier as it is played to you for singing along on the choir's website learning page.
So the choir is moving on, and the enthusiasm of members can be seen in three particular characteristics:
The love of singing - there are some good solo singers but members are not, in the main, soloists. They do, however, enjoy putting their voices together to create something special.
 Loyalty and commitment - Tuesday night practices show an attendance rate of around 90% through autumn and winter.
Camaraderie - evident through the music, fellowship and good-natured banter.
It's also a well-known fact that singing is hugely stimulating to the mind and body.
The choir practises every Tuesday night during the Winter Months from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Howard Centre, 5 Portland Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 2BT. Full contact details can be found at: www.aeolianmalevoicechoir.org.
If you're male, living in the area, and enjoy singing, we'd love to see you!