The Male Voice Choir in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Histories of male voice choirs and the movement are documented in much greater detail elsewhere. However, in essence, the movement in the United Kingdom can trace its history back into the 19th century and the development of heavy industries in the north and south west of the country and, a little more recently, to Wales. As the movement spread and became more popular, choirs started to form outside the industrial heartlands and as late as the latter half of the 20th century new choirs were forming, initially as groups of friends or workmates. This chapter documents the state of play in the male voice movement in the United Kingdom in 21st century.