AS soon as the bus stops, they start singing. So it is said of the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir.
They will fill any space with their powerfully resonant sound, whether it is a cathedral, or a church hall - or the Snickleway Inn on Goodramgate where they go to lubricate their larynxes and entertain regulars after Monday night practise in St William's College.
They were singing their hearts out on Saturday, at a concert attended by the civic party to celebrate 80 years of the choir making wonderful music. The numbers included Shall We Gather At The River, Do You Hear The People Sing, The Rhythm Of Life and Hello Dolly. So we should be grateful that the Guildhall roof is still in place today.
The passion for singing which has kept the choir thriving over eight decades was apparent right from the start.
In April 1925 six enthusiastic singers from Leeman Road Adult School decided they wanted to get better. One Sunday morning, three of them went by ferry to Clifton to invite Cecil Fletcher to be the conductor of a new choir.
He agreed and brought with him three prospective members. The following Monday the choir was born - and Monday remains choir night to this day.
By June 1927 membership had more than doubled and the choir had an established routine of singing and socialising. In that month Malton Bowls Club beat the choir on the green and were entertained by four pieces sung during the interval.
Before 1930 the choir had entered their first competition. They came second out of 11, beaten to top spot by the York Old Priory, since disbanded.
The choir has always worked hard to maintain high standards, but the emphasis is on enjoyment. Founder member the late Henry Brough remembered a moment of musical mirth: "A certain bass soloist was singing The Lute Player," he said.
"His dentures were slack fitting and the first word of the piece was 'she'. He put so much emphasis on this word that he blew his teeth out - but managed to catch them on his copy."
The choir kept going throughout the war, despite depleted numbers. On one night, only four could make it. By good fortune there was one member in each part - soprano, alto, tenor and bass - so the rehearsal could go ahead.
Originally known as the Leeman Road Adult School Choir, it was soon renamed the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir. When the founding musical director died in 1944, it was subtitled the Cecil Fletcher Memorial Choir.
"We have a feeling we are the longest-established choir in York," said bass singer and choir chairman James Rayne.
Colin Hockridge, a second tenor who joined the choir in 1974, knows why the choir has prospered for so long.
"To me there are three reasons: passion, commitment and continuity," he said.
"There's a great passion which takes place on the performance platform or in the pub on the social side. It's always been that way.
"There's a great commitment. People do put themselves out, even coming back off holiday for rehearsals. It's a lifetime commitment for many people.
"And continuity. We've got ten members at the moment with more than 30 years' service."
The oldest member of the 70-strong choir is Wilf Buckle, 85. The youngest is 25. His brown hair stands out, notes the choir's chairman James Rayne: "When you look at the heads of hair they're mostly silver, although we have several members under 40."
The all-male choir has had three women as musical directors, including the present one, Berenice Lewis. Their repertoire covers everything from grand opera to show tunes and folk songs. Although non-political and non-religious, the choir performs a range of church music.
Members know about 40 pieces off by heart. This is a particular feat as they took the decision 20 years ago to sing without sheet music, meaning everything - melody, harmonies, words - must be committed to memory.
Although constantly refreshed, the repertoire underlines the continuity of the choir. Feasting As I Watch was performed at the Malton Bowls Club in 1927, and at the Golden Jubilee Concert in the Assembly Rooms. That programme also included Hymn Before Action, the first piece sung in competition. And The Bandits Chorus, familiar to Snickleway regulars, has been sung for 40 years and counting.
One of the highlights of the year is Carols In Kirkgate, a celebration of Christmas in song at the Castle Museum which sells out in double-quick time. This is now in its 46th year.
Through the carol service and other fundraising efforts, the choir has raised at least £150,000 for local charities.
One early member wrote: "Another good financial venture in those days was carol singing in the Leeman Road area. We set out at midnight on Christmas Eve and with Mr Fletcher leading on the violin we sang until 2am when we had a rabbit pie supper then off again until 4am."
Today the choir performs more than 30 times a year, at everything from wedding receptions to grand occasions. They also travel to sing across Europe, with York twin towns Mnster and Dijon regular ports of call. Such a busy schedule leaves less time to compete in competitions, although they always do well when they enter.
The choir's 80th birthday dinner at York Racecourse takes place in July, a good time to look back.
But Colin prefers to look to the future. "When we are singing our centenary concert - because the choir will still be going strong at 100 - I will still be there, younger than some of those singing at the 80th birthday concert."
Do you have any memories or souvenirs of the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir? Chairman James Rayne would love to hear from you because an archive of the choir is being pieced together. Call him too if you are interested in joining the choir, on 01904 490676
Updated: 11:36 Monday, May 23, 2005
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