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Check out what others are saying about Carlton Male Voice Choir…

Will Prideaux – is a choral conductor, educator, and director of Peterborough Sings!, the award-winning choral organisation behind Peterborough Male Voice Choir, Peterborough Voices, and Peterborough Youth Choir. A graduate of Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, William is known for his work revitalising the male choir sector through inclusive leadership, bold repertoire, and project-based recruitment. He has worked with leading ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra, and has been recognised as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music. A passionate advocate for musical excellence and community engagement, William is shaping the future of choral singing—one rehearsal at a time.

A blog given by Will in November 2025…

Carlton Male Voice Choir: How Determination, Vision, and a Bit of Risk Sparked a Revival

If you ever find yourself wondering whether it’s really possible to turn around the fortunes of a traditional male voice choir, look no further than Carlton Male Voice Choir.

This is a group that didn’t just talk about change —they did it. And at the heart of it all is a determined, visionary music director: Ian Watts.

Let me be very clear: what Ian has achieved with Carlton isn’t down to luck. It’s down to guts, strategy, and sheer musical graft. He took on a choir with a familiar profile—aging, static, and struggling to recruit — and helped reshape it into a growing, outward-looking, musically ambitious ensemble. And the best part? He didn’t compromise the choir’s identity. He expanded it.

Let’s start with one of the biggest success stories: recruitment.

With support from Peterborough, Carlton ran a project-based recruitment campaign that brought in an incredible 80 participants at the start of the programme. And while, as ever, not everyone stayed, a significant number did — and are now fully integrated into the choir.

How did they do it?

They made it attractive. They made it clear. And they made it feel good.

They got the messaging right: “Come and sing with us, no experience needed, learn something new, meet people, and be part of a brilliant performance.” Not: “We’re a struggling choir that needs more men.” That shift in tone made all the difference.

But Carlton didn’t stop at filling seats. They made sure that new members were supported. One of the most impressive aspects of their development has been their music literacy programme.

Now, this is something more choirs need to pay attention to. Too often, “we don’t read music” is worn like a badge of honour in male choirs. At Carlton, they saw it for what it is: a missed opportunity. Ian launched a structured, friendly, and practical training programme that helps singers — new and old — gain confidence in reading music, understanding notation, and developing vocal technique.

This is exactly the kind of skill-building that makes a choir stronger and more appealing to potential recruits. It tells people: “Join us and you’ll grow.” That’s a powerful proposition.

Of course, none of this would matter if the wider culture of the choir hadn’t evolved too — and it has.

Carlton made a conscious effort to reach beyond their usual circles. They’ve built links with local cultural and community groups, performed in new spaces, and made sure that their image — online and in the real world — reflects a welcoming, vibrant choir that’s interested in the future, not just the past.

They’ve moved away from the funeral-and-flag-waving repertoire trap and are exploring new music, diverse programming, and events that appeal to a wider audience.

And crucially, they’ve done it together. Ian may be the driving force, but the choir as a whole has embraced the changes. That’s no small thing. We all know how attached people can be to “how we’ve always done it.”

I’ve spoken to Ian many times, and one thing that always comes through is his deep respect for the tradition of male voice singing — but he’s not afraid to challenge it. He knows that for tradition to survive, it has to breathe. It has to make room for new ideas, new people, new voices.

Carlton Male Voice Choir is a living example of what’s possible when a choir is willing to change — and when it has the right leadership in place to guide that journey.

They haven’t just recruited. They’ve built a community. They haven’t just taught notation. They’ve inspired confidence. They haven’t just updated their repertoire. They’ve renewed their sense of purpose.

And the results speak for themselves — not just in concert attendance or membership numbers, but in the feeling you get when you walk into that rehearsal room.

This is what the future of male voice choirs can look like. Carlton is showing us the way.

Let’s follow their lead…

https://www.peterboroughsings.org.uk/blog/blog-post-carlton

Bank’s Music Publications – Choral music  Specialist Distributers – Established in 1972, Banks Music Publications is one of the UK’s best known independent choral publishers and suppliers. +44 (0)1653 628545. https://www.banksmusicpublications.co.uk

Banks Music Publications has been in business with Ian Watts and Carlton Male Voice Choir for many years and we have seen the business grow at an incredible rate. The success of last years recruitment drive as well as the charity event have seen a marked increase in membership of the choir and the levels of orders we receive for new music. What is so nice to see is the variation of new music: Carlton MVC will tackle all kinds of material from brand new popular songs to titles that although much older, still retain an appeal to an audience, plus pieces from the classical repertoire. If only all choirs were run like Carlton! Dealing with the choir is to deal with people who know their business!

John Bishop (Comedian and Compere at a recent concert)

David Machell (Composer/Musician)

“From tenderly expressive melody to full-blooded harmonies, singing as one, Carlton is a choir like no other. This is the future of Male Voice singing.”

Tim Lole of The Opera Dudes

We had a great time – really enjoyed it. Great concert! And we were serious when we said we’ve never heard the choir better. My wife, who is vocal coach at ENO, said the choir was transformed!!

Best wishes

Tim

The Minster Church Of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Saturday 8th July

I would like to tell you how much we enjoyed our evening at the Minster in Great Yarmouth when you joined the Chorus of St. Cecelia for their Summer Concert. It was an overwhelming evening. I purchased two of your CD’s which are giving me such a lot of pleasure (mainly whilst doing my ironing). Thankyou for bringing your outstanding sound for us all to share. I truly hope Matthew Hardy accepts your invitation for a return event. We shall be the first to get tickets.

Glenis Boyce

YOU WERE BRILLIANT TONIGHT !!!!..Saw you in Yarmouth….got the CD…spoke to some of you…thank you for a memorable night…how to sound welsh but not come from there…I hope you feel very proud of yourselves, because you were mesmerising…loved Daniel in the African chorus..and the pith helmets on “big john”…. Bohemian rhapsody was a great version…cwm RHONDDA …yes some here can spell it !!!….was lovely…great finale with the hallelujah chorus..GREAT!!!…played CD on the way home…would love to hear a full concert with you…thank you. Ps ‘Workin’ worked!

Susan Schomberg, Gorleston-on-Sea Norwich Cathedral, Friday 7th July 2017

Thank you for a wonderful concert last week at Norwich cathedral- such a pleasure and ‘free’! It was an oasis of joy and I especially enjoyed Morte Christe- one of my favourites. God bless your ministry in song both secular and religious- a lovely mix on the day.

Lois ( via email) Festival Concert, Albert Hall, Saturday 29th April 2017

Thank you Carlton Male Voice Choir. I thoroughly enjoyed it, you gave us a brilliant concert. The Albert Hall came alive, listening to your outstanding voices and the hard work shone through. Nottingham has indeed got talent.

Mavis Smith

An amazing evening.

Bryan Brownlow

It was just splendid, the best you have produced while we have been sponsors. We congratulate Ian Watts for his debut concert, what a start, we anticipate great things to follow. All your guests were great, special mention to Christopher Hill, what a talent. Thank you for inviting us, we feel most privileged –

Robert M Sansom, Chairman, Frank Key Group.

Absolutely stunning performance, so proud of you all.

Lorina Parker

Thank you all for a most enjoyable concert. I thought you produced a really good sound. In the opening piece “Speed your journey”, the dynamics were wonderful, what a super start! I really enjoyed your quiet singing it came over really well and with feeling. It was a good and varied programme, with a balance of traditional and more modern. It was obvious throughout that you had been working hard on your diction, it really paid off, well done!

Linda Davies

I’m returning by train home, from a long weekend in Nottingham where the highlight and reason was to attend the Festival Concert. What a treat. The stage was an absolute picture adorned by the most vibrant and beautiful flowers. A perfect final touch to be enjoyed by everyone. The programme was entertaining and excellent in variety of choices and execution. I loved “the rooms” visited, a great idea. As always, beautiful singing of traditional pieces with clarity of notes, diction, sensitivity and excellent diction. The Lords Prayer was magnificent. As it built to the powerful “for thine is the kingdom” every hair I felt stand on end and its overall beauty and sincerity bought me to tears. I did enjoy the new style/music also and I am sure these will continue to grow in confidence and be sung with the same conviction. I felt that the whole concert was entertaining and slick and very polished. Finally, I had been told that there would be some changes and differences etc, and there were. However nothing that distracted from the hard work and quality of this.

Julie Pearson

This was an outstanding evening of music.

Dawn Parri-Sawdon

It was an absolute pleasure to sing with you and we all commented on the atmosphere and general feeling of camaraderie – it really made for one of the most enjoyable concerts we have ever performed.

Sinopia Festival Concert, Albert Hall, Saturday 30th April 2016

Please would you pass on my Congratulations to the choir after a truly wonderful concert on Saturday. The Kanneh Masons were unbelievable for their ages, so amazing to watch, it’s so good to see young people so interested in music and so good that you gave them this opportunity to perform. Braimah was indeed a worthy winner of this years Music Makers award. I think the choir sang exceptionally well for Terry’s last concert at the Albert Hall he must be so pleased.

It was a lovely programme with many old favourites which are always so well received and applauded, it was very pleasing and entertaining, you are so professional on stage.

For those of you who knew Bob, I am sure he would have been absolutely delighted with your performance, perhaps he was listening, he certainly didn’t need to use his “laser!”

Well done everyone, you can indeed be very proud. Good luck for your forthcoming trip to Holland

Best Wishes,

Linda Davies

Just arrived home from concert. great night.fab.fab.fab.

Sandra Withnall

Fantastic last night.

Sharon Ellis

Was great. Well done everybody.

Karen Shakesby Chapell

A brilliant Nottingham evening, amazing Carlton Male Voice Choir at the Albert Hall. A full house and all for charity.

Tony Bates

Great concert. Congratulations to all.

Alan Dawson

A really fantastic concert.

Phil Hopkinson

Braimah was amazing as were the rest of his family, and of course, Carlton Male Voice Choir. A very enjoyable evening.

Jane Nickolls

The award is so well deserved. He plays beautifully and with such feeling. ( Braimah – Kanneh- Mason)

Pat Warsop

Well worth travelling from Devon for. Another wonderful concert!

Sheila Jennings

(Tell My Father). Beautiful. Made me think of my dad. Mum was at the concert and enjoyed it very much.

Jillian Garner

Great concert, up there as one of the best. Terry, you did them proud, what a way to bow out!

Joan Miller

Wow, every one we spoke to, said the best yet, Terry if you see this I thought it was wonderful, a fitting tribute to your hard work with us, over the last two decades, thank you Terry, I can not put into words what you have done for us, our next M.D. will have a lot to do if he or she even equals what you have done, thanks again Terry, – one of the choir, speaking on behalf of many?

Mike Jones

Others have said it all with which I agree but as another friend said, when asked for her opinion, “I was ‘blown away’ and I agree. Well done one and all!

Enoch Price – Life Vice President Festival Concert, Albert Hall, Saturday 25th April 2015

Please accept my apologies for taking so long to write to thank you for inviting me to your wonderful concert, attending on behalf of Sir John Peace. Barry and I were absolutely thrilled with the lovely evening of music making.

The Choir was on great form and the programme of music was most enjoyable and entertaining. I was very impressed with this year’s Carlton Music Maker, Matt Glendening, who made an excellent contribution to the enjoyment of the evening and the icing on the cake was the presence of the superlative Cantamus Girls Choir. The concerted items at the end of the programme were truly inspirational.

Please can you pass on my warm congratulations to Terry and the gentlemen of the choir, to Roger and Ann for their accompanying and Howard for his excellent compering.

Thank you again for your invitation, your hospitality and a memorable evening!

Wendy Start , Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire

Congratulations on a fantastic performance once again at the Albert Hall. We thoroughly enjoyed the programme and the choir did you proud. The bonus of Cantamus and their lovely voices really made the evening special and we especially enjoyed the performance by the joint choirs at the end of the programme. The inspiring performance by the truly talented Clarinettist Matt Glendening was superb. Thank you once again for a truly wonderful evening. Kind regards.

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