Ian Grice joined Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir in September 1985. He has always had choral music in his blood growing up in a strongly Methodist family where parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins were actively involved in The Hill Methodist Church in Kirkby in Ashfield for many years. If you visit the church, you will see several plaques and boards of honour bearing family names; Ian’s mum, brother and sister-in-law still worship there.
His Christian beliefs brought him to the choir as, at that time, many male voice choirs had their roots in churches and in this area the mining industry. Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir can trace its formation back to Rainworth Methodist church where, the choir was inaugurated in 1926 before combining with Mansfield Orpheus in 1944. In 2024 our choir celebrated its 80th anniversary and a moment’s reflection reveals that Ian has been involved for half the life of the choir and 2/3rd of his life…………that is belief and commitment personified.
He began as a 1st tenor, progressed to principal tenor soloist, became Deputy Musical Director in 2007 which he held for 10 years and upon the retirement of Mrs Meryl Chambers in 2017 took up the baton and leadership of the choir. He is highly respected in the Mansfield area, particularly in many of the local churches and the wider male voice choir community, not only in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and with many UK based choirs, but also with the major choirs of Wales and the Welsh Association of Male Choirs (W.A.M.C.). His network has afforded our choir access to participate in the W.A.M.C. festival concerts at The Royal Albert Hall, London, on no less than three occasions and we are well placed to continue in these performances in the future. He has a wonderful ear for music and can pick out an error in a section, or even individual choristers and works with us until it is right. This quality is reflected in our sound. Each chorister can absolutely rely on his conducting skills and feels confident in delivering what he requires to get the best of out of the music in the way the composer and/or arranger conceived the piece. Consequently, our reputation goes before us, and we are welcomed when we seek partner choirs for our annual “away matches” with fellow male voice choirs across the country.
Ian has an enduring, boundless enthusiasm not only for choral music, but also for people; he just likes meeting and getting to know folks. It is his overtly friendly and encouraging nature which sustains the core values of camaraderie, respect and mutual support of which our choir is justly proud. His contributions to the life of our choir are highly valuable to us all and long may it continue. We know that many other choirs would be delighted to have you as their leader.
In the photographs below Ian is presented with a certificate (frame to follow) and a trophy conductor’s baton by David Marriott, President (left) and Geoff Hursthouse (Chairman), right. The dress is informal as it was a relaxed social evening attended by choir members, the choir Supporters’ Group and families and friends. A more formal presentation of engraved glassware was presented to Ian at our 80th Anniversary concert in Southwell Minster on 5th October 2024. Here we were joined by Bestwood, Eastwood Collieries and St. Edmundsbury male voice choirs and the Ravenshead Swing Band and an audience of over 450. That is testament to our performance capability, social networks and a love of choral music which Ian consistently perpetuates. Thanks Ian and sincere congratulations.
And the best friend you could ever wish for. Good man Ian, the confidence you give every choir member is evident, when we perform joint items, the other Choirs are in no doubt about your expectations. It is great to be a part of your team!
Lovely write up, summing Ian up perfectly.
Long may he reign !!!!
🎊 Congratulations on your 40 years with the choir Ian. Thank you for being a lovely friend too
Such a lovely write up from Geoff.
Congratulations Ian. I consider you as a friend and colleague in equal amounts and grateful for what you do for the choir. Your enthusiasm is boundless and is what keeps us focused. Long may it continue.
I’m finding it impossible to put in a few words a true picture of the many years that I’ve had a musical relationship with Ian. This has grown and deepened as the paths we both took met and interacted…Ian’s love of music is not only inherited but totally innate. Whether listening, partaking with other voices, singing solo, or directing, he is completely involved. My personal moments with him were times when we met to rehearse solos for concert performance. Those sounds and his facial expressions will stay with me. Thank you Ian. You have given much joy to many people. Your daughter Heidi will follow you too. Many blessings Meryl x
I feel so proud and honoured to serve and to have this amazing choir. I appreciate too the great friendship that happens amongst us all, a terrific team and set of singers, that is also for my whole term too as well as now. I always give my all and I know you give back too .Thanks to everyone for all you do for MDMVC .x
I joined the M&DMVC just over a year ago. Ian is such a wonderful choirmaster who has time for everyone, and as has been said, he has become a great friend. Ian has such a great way of brining out the best in our choir, and I’ve been so proud to be part of it. After each and every performance, there is a full standing ovation from the audience.
During my period with M&DMVC I have been fortunate to travel to other choirs including performing 3 concerts in South Wales earlier this year and there was no doubt whatsoever how much Ian was appreciated by members of the other choirs for his direction.
Congratulations, Ian, long may you continue as the Musical Director of our wonderful choir.
FOOTNOTE: Men, if you are reading this, and are not a member of M&DMVC, but love singing and would love to join us, come and meet us on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm at St. Augustines Church Hall on Abbott Road at Mansfield and give it a try. You don’t need to be able to read music. I love being s member, and to me, it’s one big loving family.
Congratulations Ian.
Your enthusiasm and commitment never fail to amaze me. Your attention to fine detail along with your confident and precise direction holds us all together and brings out the best in us.
It is a privilege to work with you and to be part of this awesome choir.
Here’s to the next 40 years!
Love and respect,
Maureen Lockwood (accompanist)
Such an insightful write up from Geoff and one with which we would all agree. Ian’s musicality, enthusiasm and encouraging manner are innate. His preparation for each rehearsal is so thorough that he seems to know the pieces inside out even before we have begun to rehearse them thus giving confidence to the singers which is reflected in performance.
Well done, Ian.
Congratulations Ian, money couldn’t buy you for what you put in and give us in your talent and enthusiasm long may you continue with us.
Congratulations Ian on a great milestone achievement. You have brought your enthusiasm and friendship to the choir for a long time. I enjoyed working with you and appreciated your support and friendship.
I loved accompanying your solos before you became the director but also enjoyed working as a team with you and the choir members.
Wishing you continuing success with the choir.
Love Margaret
Well done Ian I echo all the above you are a brilliant leader with boundless enthusiasm your love of music is infectious top guy
Congratulations and well done that man. What a brilliantly fitting and profound sentiment bestowed on a guy who couldn’t be more worthy.
Although surrounded by good voiced and well rehearsed tenor voices, I found Ian an inspirational mentor and all round good mate as he is to everyone.
Onwards and upwards Mr. G. so pleased you made it to MD of Mansfield MVC.
Congratulations Ian on such an outstanding achievement. 40 years dedication to one choir is something to really celebrate. Your support and encouragement to to other choirs is also appreciated.
Terry Chell on behalf of the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir.