A Century of Song, Fellowship and Community: Castleford Male Voice Choir (CMVC) 

​

As Castleford Male Voice Choir prepares to mark its Centenary, the focus is firmly on what has sustained the choir for a hundred years: Friendship, shared purpose, and the power of singing together.

​

Founded in 1926, Castleford Male Voice Choir has long been a cornerstone of community life in Yorkshire. Generations of men have found camaraderie, wellbeing and belonging through weekly rehearsals and performances that reach far beyond the concert platform. The Centenary year builds on that legacy, not as a retrospective exercise, but as a living celebration of unity and connection. Developed through “Project CAS100” which is a two-year, community-led singing initiative developed and delivered by CMVC. The project carries the message “COME AND SING”, celebrating the power of music to enhance mental, physical and social health.

​

Throughout the year, CMVC will collaborate with brass bands and fellow musical organisations, reflecting a long tradition of partnership across different genres. These shared performances highlight a common ethos: Music as a means of bringing people together, regardless of age or background. Variety, accessibility, and audience connection sit at the heart of the programming, ensuring that choral music remains relevant, inclusive, and warmly received.

​

A centrepiece of the Centenary celebrations is a large-scale community day. Designed to be intergenerational and fully accessible, the planned event brings together Choirs, Musicians, Dancers, Craftspeople, and Local Organisations in a joyful expression of community life. Alongside performances, the day champions social connection, supports charities addressing loneliness, and celebrates shared heritage through activities that appeal equally to young families and older residents. It is a vivid statement of what a Male Voice Choir can offer its community in the Twenty First Century.

​

The Centenary programme also embraces Castleford’s wider identity, joining forces with local sporting and cultural institutions to celebrate a shared sense of place. These collaborations underline the choir’s belief that singing is not separate from everyday life but woven into the story of the town and the people who call it home.

​

Beyond Yorkshire, the choir will take its Centenary spirit on tour, strengthening international friendships with fellow Male Voice Choirs. Joint concerts and shared travel experiences reaffirm the long-standing tradition of Male Voice Choirs as ambassadors of goodwill, where music creates instant bonds and lasting memories across borders.

​

Alongside headline events, the choir will continue its regular presence in Churches, Civic spaces, and Community venues. These performances remain central to its mission: Supporting wellbeing, offering moments of reflection and joy, and reminding audiences that choral singing is, above all, a collective experience.

​

As the centenary year unfolds, Castleford Male Voice Choir is clear that this milestone is not simply about longevity. It is about people standing shoulder to shoulder, voices blending into something greater than the sum of its parts, and communities strengthened through song.

​

The choir enters its second century with confidence, purpose, and an open invitation. New voices are always welcome. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to sing, to listen, and to be part of a brotherhood built on harmony, laughter, and mutual support.

​

​

​

​