Welcome to
Felling Male
Voice Choir
We are looking forward to regular concerts this year as your new look Felling Male Voice choir, under the careful guidance of our Musical Director Michael Scott.
Photography taken by Mel Cockbain
Felling Male Voice Choir 2025
Michael Scott – Director of Music, Felling Male Voice Choir
Michael Scott has been a cornerstone of Felling Male Voice Choir since 1977, making him our longest-serving active member — a title well-earned through decades of unwavering dedication.
Beyond his musical talents, Michael served the choir diligently as Secretary for over twenty years, and now continues to support the team in his role as Assistant Secretary.
His choral conducting journey began with Newcastle’s Northern Opera Ltd., where he sang for over three decades. He spent the final five years as Chorus Director, helping to shape the company’s artistic output until its closure in 2006.
Michael brings a wealth of experience in oratorio, opera, operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan, and musical theatre. With numerous staged performances under his belt, he’s also known to step into the spotlight as an occasional baritone soloist.
In 1981, he founded The Grainger Singers — a mixed-voice choir that continues to perform across the North East. To this day, he remains at the helm as conductor, championing choral music and nurturing talent with both passion and precision.
Raymond Albert Dean
BA; LTCL; ALCM; DAES
Deputy Director of Music
He was born (1943) and raised in ‘The Felling’.
His musical journey commenced when he
was just seven years of age, learning to play cornet in Felling Salvation Army band.
On leaving school he served an engineering apprenticeship but was made redundant from
Churchill TI in 1972. At which point he made a complete career change and took up studies
at Newcastle College of Art and Technology where he gained diplomas of LTCL and ALCM.
In 1982 he also gained a BA (open) studying Music and Mathematics.
He was involved in the brass band world until 1988, playing baritone with Westoe Collery
Band. He went into a teaching career, teaching Music, Mathematics and Information
Technology in Secondary Education during which time he also started teaching music in a private capacity. Mainly pianoforte and brass instruments.
He has been organist (self-taught) at the Church of the Ascension, Kenton, Newcastle for
over 20 years. He has also been keenly interested in Irish Studies playing flute and tin whistle and studying the Irish language.
Visit to Wales – April 2025
On 26th April, a party of 50, including 34 singers from Felling Male Voice Choir, boarded a coach bound for North Wales. We were warmly welcomed by our friends at Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir, returning the hospitality they had enjoyed during their visit to us eighteen months ago. The anticipation for this trip had been high — and it did not disappoint!
Under the leadership of Acting Director of Music, Mike Scott, Felling delivered a spirited and varied programme. It was fascinating to hear the contrasting styles of both choirs throughout the evening, showcasing the rich diversity of male voice choral traditions.
The concert, held at St. Peter’s Church in Holywell, featured a broad repertoire from both choirs. Felling’s programme included a special nod to our North East roots with performances of Adam Buckham O, The Caller, and The Great Langbenton Leek (sung by Mick McCabe). We also bravely ventured into Welsh with a performance of Se Hi Lwli Mabi, much to the delight of our hosts.
Trelawnyd’s set included several pieces sung in their native Welsh, as well as Just a Working Man I Am and We Ain’t Got Dames. A particular highlight was the stunning contribution of a 17-year-old soloist, whose performance was truly memorable and warmly received.
The evening concluded with both choirs joining forces for a moving rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables. Appropriately, Trelawnyd then gave a rousing finale with the Welsh National Anthem, sung with the passion and pride only the Welsh can deliver.
We are deeply grateful to our assured and talented accompanist, Julie Lawrence, for her support throughout the evening. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir for their generosity and friendship. We sincerely hope it won't be too long before our paths cross again.
Joint Concert Triumph: Felling Male Voice Choir & Ponteland Ladies Choir
We at Felling Male Voice Choir are still on a high after our recent joint concert with the ever-energizing Ponteland Ladies Choir. The two choirs sounded fantastic together, and the response from the audience proved it was more than just our own excitement talking!
First off, a massive thank-you to our brilliant Assistant MD, Mike Scott, for his leadership on the night. A particular highlight from us at Felling was debuting our new piece, “Bow the Knee,” which was very well-received—clearly, we’ll have to keep that one in the repertoire!
We also want to give a special shout-out to Deputy Accompanist Emma Straughan, who stepped in beautifully for her debut performance with Felling. Playing alongside her was a joy, and her confidence (plus a few dazzling flourishes) added something extra to the evening.
Joining us from Ponteland were MD Liz Milner and Accompanist Brian Mercer, whose combined efforts brought the Ladies Choir’s repertoire to life. Their rousing final number, a “Medley from Sister Act,” absolutely brought the house down—talk about leaving an audience wanting more!
If you want to see where we’re off to next, head over to Felling Male Voice Choir’s website for all upcoming events. And be sure to check out the vibrant Ponteland Ladies Choir on Facebook to see what they’re up to next. We can’t wait to share another stage with them soon!
Want to Join?
We are looking for new members to join the family
If you would like to Join us we are always looking for new members, whether you are new to singing or experienced email here or contact us on social media.
You can find us on Friday nights at rehearsals 19:00-21:30
Felling Methodist Church, Coldwell St, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 9HH
Chairman's Update
2024 and Beyond
The Choir has now ended another successful year of concerts with their Christmas-themed appearance at St.Mary’s Church, Heworth. The Choir is in good heart under the direction of Michael Scott as acting Director of Music and looks forward to 2025 with enthusiasm.
Westerhope Golf Club is the venue again for the first concert for charity, on 22nd March when we
will be performing in aid of the Dragonfly Cancer Trust, which is a charity for children with
terminal cancer.
In April the Choir are to journey to North Wales to pay a return visit to Trelawnyd Male Voice
Choir, who inform us that they are to be the subject of a film shot over a year recording their vocal life and performances, against the regrettable decline in numbers of those engaged in choral singing.
NUFC & FMVC
Kit Launch Video
We had the pleasure to feature in this fantastic kit launch video which celebrated the return of Adidas to Newcastle United FC. We had a great time and were honoured to be invited to feature in such a historic video.
(click the image to the left to watch the video)
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved.
St Oswald's Hospice
16-03-2024 Westerhope Golf Club
We were honoured to perform at Westerhope Golf Course for St Oswald's Hospice.
A Fantastic well supported concert for a great cause.
July
2022
Welcome to Felling Male
Voice Choir's Website
Interested in becoming a patron of the choir?
If you are interested in being a Patron of FMVC the Cost is only £10 per year.
As a Thank you you would get Two free tickets for patrons concert
For more information contact us on the email below
patron@fmvc.org
Julie Lawrence
JULIE LAWRENCE – Principal Accompanist
Julie re-joined FMVC in 2015 having been a short-term accompanist in 2009 and she is, currently, Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Church, Stanley.
She studied music with the late William Cowell, organist at Fulwell Methodist Church, Sunderland and has an affiliation with that church to this day. Julie also played keyboards as part of a resident band backing many acts on the North East Club circuit from 1980 to 2000.
In addition to work with the main Felling choir she also acts as accompanist to “Pieces of Eight”.
A Wedding to remember for all involved
Photograph courtesy of Lewis Palmer Photography.
Felling Male Voice choir were invited to sing at a wedding in October, we love being part of happy couples special day.
The wedding of Jess and Chris will also live in the memory of FMVC members for a long time as it had a musical connection.
Jess is none other than the great niece of Opera star Owen Brannigan OBE. The opera singer from Annitsford was internationally renowned and a favourite of many choir members in FMVC.
The wedding was beautiful and we wish Jess and Chris all the happiness in the world.
We always appreciate feedback and this is one that really made us smile.
"We had the perfect day and I think it is no exaggeration to say your singing was the highlight. I lost count of how many people said they had never heard anything like it, and it was the absolute cherry on the cake for us."
Centenary Award
The first ever winner of our Musical Achievement Award goes to Kyle Ruddy.
Kyle was the youngest member of our choir, and after many years in the Bass section moves to University in Cumbria.
We would like to wish Kyle all the best for the future and hope to see him back in the future.
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