Lord Mayor to attend Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir Concert in Exeter

The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Lesley Robson, will be in attendance at the Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir’s (BSMVC) Concert on Saturday 5th August at Exeter Cathedral.

The gala Concert, which is being held in support of Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) in celebration of their 25th year of service, is sure to be a sensational event. Tickets are on sale at Exeter Cathedral box office at £15 for front nave and £12 for side and rear nave, with concession discounts at £10 and £8 for students, £6 and £5 for children.

The concert, at 7:30pm on Saturday 5th August, will feature BSMVC, directed by Michael Graham, performing a mixture of popular and traditional songs from their wide repertoire, set to entertain a broad audience.

The concert will feature special guests Tim Mirfin, Bass, and Iryna Ilnytska, Mezzo Soprano, both of whom have appeared in concerts and operas around the world, and David Davies, previously Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral, playing the organ.

Representing Devon Air Ambulance will be Trustee Rachel Short, Paramedic Lee Hilton and volunteers Simon and Mary Card.

BSMVC was founded in 1974 and performs predominantly in the East Devon and Exeter area with additional nationwide performances, largely for the benefit of local and national charities, raising thousands of pounds each year.

The choir's musical director, Michael Graham, a Lay-Clerk at Exeter Cathedral and Director of Chapel Music at Exeter University, trained at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, and was subsequently awarded an organ scholarship at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, before coming to Exeter. He is an accomplished organist and tenor singer and is in demand as a soloist. Michael joined BSMVC in September 2013, and, with his dynamic style and contagious enthusiasm is inspiring the choir to new heights.

The Choir's Publicity Officer, John Sanders said “The Choir is looking forward to singing in Exeter Cathedral, one of the most prestigious venues for our concerts, while raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance.  We are delighted to be joined by our two superb guest soloists and David Davies who is well known to Exeter audiences. This will be a fantastic musical extravaganza not to be missed!"

DAA Fundraising Director Caroline Creer added “We are delighted to have been selected as the beneficiaries of Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir’s Concert at the Cathedral in celebration of our 25th year of service. The Cathedral is a magnificent venue for such a concert and we have no doubt what an exceptional night this will be. We look forward to having a presence on the evening and hope to see many of our supporters there for a joyous evening.”

DAA are incredibly proud to be independent of government and National Lottery funding and it costs £5.5million every year to keep their helicopters flying. Due to the fantastic support they receive from the people, businesses and communities of Devon, DAA celebrate 25 years of service this year and in November 2016 they extended their operating hours until midnight, meaning they can help even more people.

Doors will open at 6:45pm with the concert starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from Exeter Cathedral’s box office, visit https://exeter-cathedral.cloudvenue.co.uk/BudleighMVC or phone 01392 285983. Alternatively, you can also purchase tickets on the door.