- MKA Winter Harmony Concert
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Date Posted: Fri, 18 Oct 2024
The nights are drawing in....the days are getting shorter.....and it will soon be time for the the MKA Winter Harmony concert.
Our poster hopefully tells you all you need to know.
For more information, see: www.mkacapella.com/harmony
- WECC Future Plans
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Date Posted: Tue, 24 Sep 2024
Last night MK was rather wet, closed roads after 10cm of rain in. day, but it didn't stop us from rehearsing, was a quiet one but we were joined by Revd Canon Catherine Butt from St Frideswide's Church (our rehearsal venue) she was sharing more details about the exciting £2M plan to re-develop the church to make it even more useful as a community hub. We are lucky to be able to rehearse at the Church and use the excellent facilities there;we look forward to supporting them with their plans in the next few years. We'll be helping (in a small way) to help them raise money when we run our Christmas Concert on Dec 7th - more information to follow.
- Love to Sing 2024
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Date Posted: Thu, 29 Aug 2024
MK Acapella are running yet another popular Love to Sing course, we've done this for the last 3 years to get the men of Milton Keynes singing....and our style of singing is acapella which is just so much fun. If you or someone you know wants to give this a try then please head over to https://www.mkacapella.com/love2sing and sign up. This is a FREE six week course to give you a chance to experience singing songs in four part harmony. We'll be learning a couple of fun Christmas songs and a classic show tune - then you'll get to perform them in a concert just before Christmas to wow your friends and family. MK Acapella are welcoming bunch of guys so just stop putting it off and find your inner voice and give it go. YouTube Video URL: Attachment: 
For more information, see: www.mkacapella.com/love2sing
- Milton Keynes Choirs Festival
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Date Posted: Tue, 20 Jun 2023
MKA were in action at the MK Choir Festival held at Campbell Park on June 17th. This was a hot muggy day but we felt cool on stage with the gentle wind and our smart stage wear. There were a dozen choirs or more from the area in a celebration of choirs and singing from all ages and disciplines. It was great to support this event and it was amazing to have a bass section with just two of our more recent members holding their own after just a year of singing with us (well done Scott & Iain).
- Love to Sing Course - What a Success
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Date Posted: Wed, 20 Jul 2022
MK Acapella have just finished their Love to Sing Course, it ended with a performance of All About You for the friends and family of the guys who attended the course. Well done to everyone who came along to give it a go, it was a fun filled six weeks learning the song and getting to grips with all the techniques of acapella singing not to mention even trying to master a few basic dance steps as part of learning the art of performing the song. In fact the final performance on Monday 18th was done is blistering conditions as it was (briefly) the hottest ever day in the UK (it was even hotter the next day) so we'll hold on to the memory of singing our hearts out in 30C whilst trying to stay cool and calm.
The video speaks for itself but I'd also like to thank Tanya, James, Rick and Hector who's hard work each week made the course such a great experience for all involved. Also many thanks to all the guys who gave this a go, we're now looking forward to welcoming quite a few of them back to our regular rehearsals from next week.
We've got the rest of the summer to enjoy now before a busy Autumn as we get ready to sing for the Newport Pagnell Mayor's concert in October and hopefully our own little Christmas concert in December - more details to follow.
Many Thanks
Glenn Martin
MKA ChairmanYouTube Video URL:
- Love to Sing Course 2022
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Date Posted: Sun, 15 May 2022
Love to Sing Course
Having had a brilliant time at the BABS Sing2022 Convention at the end of April in Harrogate, where we achieved a personal best with a score of 61.8%, we are now focussing on sharing our love of singing with the men of Milton Keynes!
If you, your significant other or a bloke you know enjoys singing and wants to give it a go - please visit www.mkacapella.com/love2sing or email Iwant2sing@mkacapella.com for further details.
The Love to Sing course starts on Monday 13th June for six weeks from 7.30pm to 9pm. Our rehearsals are at the Water Eaton Church Centre, Drayton Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 3RR
Also the following video will give you more information about MK Acapella & the course.
YouTube Video URL:
- MKA 35th Anniversary Party
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Date Posted: Sun, 5 Sep 2021
MK Acapella have been enjoying singing in four part harmony since 1986 so this year are celebrating their 35th Anniversary.
Celebrating the club's 35 years of singing is a good reason to have a party, not least given the challenges we had over the last 18 months. Despite those challenges, we were able to keep going and used Zoom and other technologies to keep making music, so a party is certainly overdue.
Given the current COVID situation we are hopeful our party can go ahead as normally as possible and are planning accordingly but if arrangements have to change then we'll adjust things as needed or re-schedule if we have to.
This is an open invitation for any ex-members or friends to get in touch and come and join us to reflect on past memories of MK Acapella and see some old faces and even, perhaps sing a song or two. The flyer below tells you all you need to know so please get in touch ASAP, space is limited so book early to avoid disappointment
Attachment:
- A tribute to Sion Yates
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Date Posted: Tue, 22 Sep 2020
It is with great sadness to share the news that one of our members has recently passed away.
Sion Yates, a long-time member and friend of the club, passed away a couple of weeks ago and will be greatly missed by everyone at the club. He had been a member for many years and although in later years he wasn't always able to sing with us, when he could attend, he was always our biggest fan and critic. He would give us praise when we deserved it and feedback when we needed it to improve our performance. He was a lovely man with a wonderful bass voice who loved singing with us.
The current Covid climate makes it rather difficult for us to get together and sing, but on the evening, we found out about Sion’s passing we all agreed that we should create a tribute for him. We decided we’d make a recording of the Irish Blessing, it’s such a short but emotional and beautiful song. So, a number of us have made individual recordings of our parts and through the magic of technology they’ve been blended together to form a recording that we dedicate to the friendship and musical memories we have of Sion.
We send our condolences to Sion’s family, friends and everyone who was privileged to have known him.
YouTube Video URL:
- MKA Acapella Suspends Rehearsals
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Date Posted: Tue, 17 Mar 2020
Covid-19 Update
Unfortunately due to Covid-19 and public health adivce, MKA Chorus have decided to suspend rehearsals until further notice.
We have only just appointed a new MD (Roger PInsent) and were looking forward to re-invigorating our rehearsals with Roger's many years of experience. However, we will get back to this hobby of ours later this year but meanwhile, like so many other hobbies and pasttimes we have to take a break. We hope we can resurface once the threat has subsided and really hope we can put on a learn to sing course as well as our winter concert later this year.
Meanwhile - best wishes to all our members and supporters, stay safe, stay heallthy and see you all soon.
Glenn Martin
MKA Chairman.
- MKA appoints a new Musical Director
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Date Posted: Sat, 7 Mar 2020
MK Acapella is delighted to announce the appointment of Roger Pinsent as their new Music Director. Roger will commence with Milton Keynes’ very own male barbershop chorus on Monday 9th March 2020 at their rehearsal venue, “The Crypt” at the Chrysalis Theatre, Milton Keynes. Roger takes over from Lyn Kidby as the Music Director, after she retired at the end of 2019, after over 5 years during her second time as the MD.
Roger was born and brought up near Leatherhead in Surrey. Shortly after gaining an Associate London College of Music qualification in Voice at the age of 20, he hitchhiked around Cornwall and stayed there for 30 years. He was awarded a BA (hons) in Music at Dartington College of Arts in 1990, and has continued studying during his career – most recently being awarded a Masters of Music in Conducting (MMus) last year. He is a qualified teacher (PGCE) and has a MA in Composing for Film and TV.
Roger started his career, teaching voice and keyboards on a peripatetic basis with the Cornwall Music Service while also playing keyboard in a couple of bands. He started his Music Director career in 1995, as the arranger, composer and director of the Maritime Festival Choir. Since that time, he has been the Music Director for various choirs from Operatic Societies to School based choirs, as well as running numerous “Come to Sing” courses. Roger is also a partner in “Yarnweavers” an audio book production company. Roger returned to Surrey in late 2016 and currently conducts two Guildford-based choirs, the Surrey Fringe Barbershop Chorus and the Everyman Choir, as well as the Croydon Male Voice Choir.
Glenn Martin, MK Acapella’s Chairman said “We are delighted that Roger has agreed to join us as our Music Director. We are an aspirational chorus, who are looking to; improve our sound, increase our membership, and develop ourselves as singers and as a chorus. Roger has a special skill set of knowledge, passion and communication which will enable us to move towards our objectives and achieve our potential.”
- We're looking for a new Musical Director
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Date Posted: Mon, 4 Nov 2019
New Musical Director
MK Acapella is Milton Keynes’ very own all male barbershop choir who are dedicated to singing in 4 part harmony and promoting this unique sound across the city and beyond. Founded in 1986 we have been entertaining crowds across MK for over 30 years. The aim of the club is to encourage the singing and enjoyment of Barbershop Harmony in both Chorus and Quartet form.We are seeking to appoint a new Music Director of MK Acapella to provide the artistic and musical vision, leadership, and inspiration, as well the technical and teaching skills, to continue to advance the Chorus’ artistic excellence. The Director will be the artistic and musical leader of the Chorus, ultimately responsible to the Members and the Executive Committee for all musical, artistic, interpretive and visual performance activities.
You will need to commit to being the MK Acapella’s Music Director and inspirational leader - planning and directing the Chorus rehearsals and performances whilst educating the Chorus members to execute your artistic, musical and performance vision. To be successful in this role, you will need to have proven and demonstrated musical skills with outstanding teaching, rehearsal and delivery skills. We are looking for someone who has integrity, loyalty, decisiveness, accountability, strength of character and the ability to work effectively with others in a member-driven organization whilst having a vision for the advancement of the Chorus’ overall mission, reputation and community impact.
For further information or an informal chat about the role, please call James Boyle, Public Relations Officer, on 07545 602045 or email on pro@mkacapella.com. Closing Date for applications is Monday 6th January 2020 with a view to appoint from March 2020.
- Newport Pagnell - Mayors Night of Music
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Date Posted: Fri, 4 Oct 2019
MK Acapella were delighted to perform for the Mayor of Newport Pagnell (Paul Day). This is an annual festival of music from local choirs and was a fantastic evening of varied music. We were given the tricky job of closing the show but were thrilled when the audience were shouting for more. The concert was in aid of the Mayor's charity Dementia UK and raised £539 for a very worthy cause.
- Rugby World Cup & MK Acapella
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Date Posted: Wed, 21 Aug 2019
MK Acapella are getting ready for the 2019 Rugby World Cup which kicks off in September.
We're geting into the spirit of the competition because many of us love the noble
game of rugby so just had to have our own club branded shirts. We hope to be
able to do a few sing outs at rugby events in the coming months because as well
as loving rugby we'd also love to get more men singing.
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- Hilda's 100th Birthday Party
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Date Posted: Tue, 5 Mar 2019
It was a great pleasure and privilege to sing for at her 100th birthday party, a friend of one of they guys asked if we would sing for her, and how could we possibly refuse. Hilda, her friends, family and even the staff really appreciated our performance which was followed of course by a lovely cake, Obviously, we had to get a photo of such an important milestone, we don't do 100th birthdays that often....but are always open for bookings....you don't have to be a 100 for us to sing for you at your birthday.
- What a Wonderful bit of Winter Harmony
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Date Posted: Tue, 11 Dec 2018
On Sunday 9th Dec we had a wonderful evening at our Winter Harmony Concert which was made even better because we were performing to a sold-out auditorium of over 200 people. The venue was the Chrysalis Theatre which is also our new home where we rehearse each week, but we couldn't have wished for a more successful event to make our mark there. The men of MK Acapella were joined by a few quartets and two of these were mixed quartets but all of them involved some our members. We were also delighted to welcome a friend of the club, Nikos Gourgiotis who really kicked off our second half with some fantastic piano playing and singing. We were also delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes - Sam Crooks - who also played an active part with the audience during the festive sing-a-long Twelve Days of Christmas.
We also must thank the many many supporters of club for buying tickets, running the bar, the coffee shop, doing the raffle and organising the car parking. And finally we must thank our MC for the evening, Richard York, who kept the evening on time and running smoothly.
We are so proud of our first concert at the Chrysalis, we hope it will now become a fixture in our but the video we've linked to in this post sums up the fun, laughter and music we all enjoyed at the concert.
YouTube Video URL:
- Getting ready for Winter
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Date Posted: Tue, 16 Oct 2018
We're getting ready for Winter and of course Christmas is not that far away either so we thought what better way to get people in the mood than a Harmony Concert, come and listen to us and our guests sing a mixed selection of Christmas and other songs
Tickets are now available to buy at our box office - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkacapella
- Having fun at the BABS Big Sing
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Date Posted: Sun, 14 Oct 2018
MK Acapella are affiliated to the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) which is made up of about 50 choruses from around the country, some choruses are very large (80+ members) others are much smaller. But having the chance to sing with 150 other singers is an opportunity not to be turned down. So when Coventry's Three Spires club organised a Big Sing on October 14th at their home venue (Willenhall Social Club), a group of us just had to go.
We spent the day learning a song called I'm On My Way from the film Paint Your Wagon, being coached by one of the leading Barbershop MD's in the country (Zac Booles) not to mention his mates from the gold winning quartet (The Locksmiths) who helped coach each section. With 150 people singing, it just sounded amazing. The photo shows everyone on the risers at the end of a busy day being entertained by the Locksmiths, showing us why they're a Gold Winning BABS Quartet.
