Choir History
The Voice of the Holme Valley
Based in the historic village of Honley in the Holme Valley, Honley Male Voice Choir (HMVC) is widely recognised as one of the leading and most forward-looking choirs in West Yorkshire. A welcoming, community-based choir with members of all ages, HMVC regularly performs a wide-ranging repertoire designed to appeal to the musical tastes of all age groups.
Scroll through our interactive timelines below to find out more about the choir’s history, then read on for information as we celebrate 90 years of singing.
1936 – 1986
1987 – Present
90 Years of Song
Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026, HMVC now focuses on performing up to 12 concerts per year rather than participating in choral festivals and competitions. That’s not to say that the choir has not enjoyed considerable success in the past. For example, by winning the first National Male Voice Choir Championship in 1991 and the Champions of Champions contest a year later.
In its long and illustrious history, the choir has also performed in many prestigious venues including Wembley, Twickenham and Old Trafford, and performed with international singing stars including Lesley Garrett.
But despite its undoubted success in the past – including an album of rugby songs recorded with the Royal Marines (Portsmouth) Band – the choir prefers to look forward rather than back. Comments Choir Chairman, Stephen Broadbery: “In this fast-moving digital age, when people have so many different ways to listen to music, it’s crucial that we stay relevant and perform music that both the choir and our audiences want to hear.”
The choir’s enthusiastic and committed singers not only dedicate themselves to the laudable task of promoting male choral singing in and around West Yorkshire, but to raising funds for deserving causes through public performances. Over the years HMVC has raised thousands of pounds for The Kirkwood, West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust Children’s Hospice, Fairfield School and Platform 1, the Huddersfield mental health charity.
Says Stephen Broadbery: “As we move towards our 90th anniversary, the choir can be proud of its many musical achievements and its contribution to the local community. And following the success of our ‘Find Your Voice’ initiative, I firmly believe the best is yet to come.”
