about us
Our Story
The Rise of Yorkshire’s Premier Men’s Choir
Since its inception in 1934, the Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir has been a cornerstone of musical excellence and community spirit in Huddersfield and beyond. Our journey is not just about music; it’s about fostering a love for the arts, supporting charitable causes, and enhancing the cultural fabric of our community.
Our Core Principles
Musical Excellence
Our choir is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the vast repertoire of male voice music, from timeless classics to contemporary arrangements.
Community Engagement
Beyond the music, we are committed to giving back, supporting various charitable institutions through our performances and events.
Cultural Ambassadors
We take pride in representing Skelmanthorpe and its surrounding areas, bringing national recognition through our competitive successes and concerts.
Our History
The Foundation
Formation of the choir with the vision of nurturing musical interest in Skelmanthorpe, aiding charitable causes, and achieving national acclaim through choral competitions.
The Golden Era
The golden era of celebrity concerts, featuring leading artists from Sadler’s Wells Opera, enhancing the choir’s reputation.
Leadership & Legacy
Leadership under three influential conductors – Jack Haigh, Alan Simmons, and Stephen Williams – propelling the choir to the forefront of Northern England’s choral scene.
A New Repertoire
Steven Roberts’ tenure introduces a contemporary concert repertoire, broadening the choir’s appeal and setting a new direction in its musical journey.
21st century choir!
Under the guidance of Jane Hobson, the first female musical director, the choir continues to thrive, winning top honours in numerous competitions and expanding its membership beyond Skelmanthorpe.
A New Era
A fresh approach to MVC singing in Skelmanthorpe; rock classics and modern tunes arranged with gorgeous harmonies are carefully curated and added to the repertoire under Nicola’s enthusiastic and energetic leadership
Our Musical Team
Nicola
Mills
Musical Director
Nicola Mills is originally from Oldham and attended The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, then went on for 10 years to sing for opera houses including Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Dutch National Opera, The Flemish Opera and Opera Monte Carlo.
Whilst living in Belgium she began singing on the streets which became Opera for the People. She’s sung at events in France, Belgium, Germany, Crete, New York, Holland, Luxembourg and the UK and will be back in Germany and Bulgaria next year too.
She also performs a Julie Andrews show called A Spoonful of Julie, which she wrote whilst living in New York.
In August she was asked to step in for Lesley Garrett by the BBC with the Bantam of the Opera choir at Bradford Live for the BBC with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra.
She loves performing her one woman Opera for the People show, where the audience choose the songs from her Song Menu, interspersed with stories from her life. For more info on upcoming performances see www.iamnicolamills.com
Lindsay Browning
Accompanist
Lindsay Browning was introduced at a young age to the piano by her music teacher mother. Taking up the flute and then the bassoon, she continued her studies at Chetham’s School of Music and then took a music degree at Sheffield University. Lindsay decided to pursue a career in teaching, obtaining a PGCE from Cambridge University.
For the last 15 years she has worked at Wakefield Girls’ High School and she first encountered SMVC when the Under 11 choir began singing with them in their annual Christmas Concert in Wakefield Cathedral. The opportunity to become their accompanist was too good to miss!
Tim Wilkes
Accompanist
Tim started playing the piano when he was 8 years old. He later started playing for his daughter and other performers at competitions and then for choirs.
As well as SMVC he is now accompanist for HCS Voices (the community/academy choir of Huddersfield Choral Society), Almondbury Ladies choir, Pennine Singers (Huddersfield) and Oaks choir at Old Earth primary school. He is also musical director and organist for St Barnabas Church.