A Century in Song: Leeds Male Voice Choir Roars into Its 110th Year
Leeds Male Voice Choir marks an extraordinary 110 years of music‑making with a landmark anniversary concert at Pudsey Parish Church in Leeds on Saturday 21 March at 19:30.
Founded in 1916 by Thomas Crossland as the Broom Excelsior Male Voice Choir at Broom Colliery in Middleton, South Leeds, the ensemble adopted its current name in 1947 under Musical Director John Hickes. Between 1966 and 1986, the choir flourished under the leadership of John Wheeler, expanding its membership, performing widely across Yorkshire, and undertaking a series of cultural exchanges with Dorstfeld Male Voice Choir in Dortmund, Leeds’ twin city in Germany.
Since 2014, under the baton of Yorkshire‑born composer and choral director Tim Knight, the choir has broadened its repertoire and performed extensively throughout Europe and the North of England. Now with more than 70 singers and a vibrant annual programme, Leeds Male Voice Choir has become one of the region’s most popular male voice ensembles and continues to champion participation through regular free workshops encouraging men’s choral singing.
The choir also looks ahead to an exciting year of performances across Leeds and all parts of Yorkshire, with concerts in Todmorden in the west, Cottingham in the east and Harrogate in the north. A tour of the Scottish Borders and a performance in England’s most northerly town, Berwick‑upon‑Tweed, further highlight the choir’s growing reach.
The anniversary programme showcases the choir’s hallmark breadth, featuring music by Dan Forrest, Vaughan Williams, Clara Schumann, Tim Knight, Felix Mendelssohn and Sarah Quartel, alongside pieces made famous by film and musical theatre—promising a unique musical celebration.
110 Years of Leeds Male Voice Choir takes place on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 19:30 at Pudsey Parish Church, Church Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 8BE.