About Us
Founded in 1898. Still singing. One of England's oldest male voice choirs.
Founded in 1898. Still Singing.
In the Autumn of 1898, six men gathered in a front parlour in Eustace Street, Warrington, to practise glee singing. Nobody would have predicted much from it. By the turn of the century there was a rival choir in town, formed in 1900. The two competed for years before amalgamating in December 1911 as the Warrington Male Choral Union, a name that stuck for seventy years, until 1981, when the choir became Warrington Male Voice Choir.
The bombing of Warrington town centre in March 1993 changed the choir. In the days that followed, the choir committed itself to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Members made repeated visits to Belfast and Dublin, singing at cross-community concerts that brought people from both sides together. The choir was nominated for the Tipperary International Peace Prize, and in 1996 Terry Waite CBE accepted the role of Patron. He said the choir's work showed that music could breathe harmony into the soul.
Today the choir has forty-seven voices across four parts, rehearses twice a week in Warrington, and performs at concerts, competitions and private events throughout the year.
The People Who Lead Us
Russell Paterson
Russell Paterson has been Musical Director of Warrington Male Voice Choir since 1994, bringing over thirty years of dedication, innovation and musical leadership to the choir. Holding a BA and PGCE, his approach has driven the choir to new heights of choral excellence, most recently winning first prize at the prestigious North Wales Choral Festival in both 2019 and 2024. A performer as well as a conductor, Russell was recognised with the choir's Higham Award in 2023 for his outstanding commitment and contribution.
Elizabeth Paterson
Elizabeth Paterson serves as the choir's Accompanist, working in close partnership with Musical Director Russell Paterson. Her skilled and sensitive accompaniment is central to the choir's sound, both in weekly rehearsals and at performances and competitions throughout the year, including the choir's prize-winning appearance at the North Wales Choral Festival in 2024.
Amanda Davies
Amanda Davies serves as Secretary of Warrington Male Voice Choir, the vital organisational link between the choir and the wider world. She manages the choir's correspondence, membership and administration, and is a passionate advocate for everything the choir achieves.
Presidents and Patrons
Cllr Mo Hussain, 141st Mayor of Warrington
It is our custom to invite the Mayor to be President of Warrington Male Voice Choir during their year of Civic Office. This year, we are delighted to have Councillor Mo Hussain, who is the 141st Mayor of Warrington, as our President until his term of office ends
Sir Terry Waite, KCMG CBE
Terry first became involved with the Warrington Male Voice Choir following the tragic death of the two young boys, Tim Parry & Johnathan Ball, who became victims of IRA violence on 20th March 1993. Many people in Warrington wanted to turn this tragic event around and the Warrington Choir led this movement by making many visits to Northern Ireland and The Republic to sing at concerts for Peace and Reconciliation. As Patron of the Choir, he accompanied us on many of these visits.
Barrie Johnson
Barrie Johnson provided WMVC with inspired and dynamic leadership for twenty-seven years. Born in Warrington, he sang in a local church choir from the age of seven, joining the Male Voice Choir in 1972. He was elected Chairman in 1984, and was determined to create the conditions to restore the choir to its former standing as one of the UK’s foremost concert choirs.
What We Sing
Come and Hear Us
Forty-seven voices in full harmony. Come to one of our concerts and hear what a male voice choir actually sounds like.