Welcome to KSMVC Website

Copyright Alec Fraser 2012: all rights reserved

Are you interested in singing? We invite you to come along to one of our rehearsals on a Wednesday at 7.30 pm in Kendal Town Hall. Singing is an enjoyable pastime and it’s good for your health! You don’t have to read music! You can just join in – it’s up to you! If you are interested contact: The Secretary, Geoff Irvin – 01931 714071 or just pop in. Website: kshoesmvc.org

ABOUT US

K Shoes Male Voice Choir -or KSMVC for short - is based in Kendal. KSMVC was 40 years old in 2009. The choir gives about 12 concerts each year in and around Cumbria and North Lancashire. The choir was created in 1969 from the Netherfield Male Voice Choir which was previously for employees of K shoes. 40 singers meet each Wednesday evening to rehearse led by Ian Allan our musical director.

Ian has plenty of local experience as he is M.D. for Arnside Choral Society. Before settling in Cumbria Ian spent twenty three years as a conductor, trombonist, pianist and harpist in the British Army. He has performed professionally with jazz bands, pop groups, big bands and orchestras on an array of different instruments. He has conducted professional bands and choirs at all levels from primary school demonstrations through to Royal Occasions encompassing a wide variety of genres. The British Army had two professional choirs, one of which was formed by Ian and he subsequently conducted the choir both nationally and internationally until his retirement in 2005. In 2004 Ian’s choir was chosen to sing at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Ian has toured the world as a musician and has performed Fanfares for the Royal Variety Show and led the fanfare team that heralded the reopening of the Brandenburg Gate in 1989.

He is a prolific arranger having had several arrangements recorded commercially and for several years he led a team of musicians onto the stage of the nationally acclaimed Sights and Sounds of Christmas at Thursford, Norfolk where he and his wife, Tracie Penwarden, met. They now live in Milnthorpe and have a 5 year old son, Austin, and a 5 week old daughter, Mabel.

Brian Gray is the Reserve Conductor, who, in Ian's absence, will take rehearsals and concerts.

David Weare is the Deputy Accompanist for rehearsals if Daiva Petkeviciute is not available.

How to buy one of our CDs here

More details about our emblem here

Our history here with some notes about Netherfield Choir and K Shoes the business

(for more detail about our recent doings use the Newsletter link from the Past Events page)

Parts of this site last revised (R36) on April 17, 2012