Shiney Row Male Voice Choir was founded in 1959 from a small singing group set up by “The Wilson Brothers”, at the Trinity Methodist Church, Shiney Row, Houghton le Spring.

Since its inception, the choir has always been based for rehearsals at the Methodist Church, Shiney Row.

There have been four Conductors of the Choir:

Fred Wilson                   1959 to 1980

Brian McAree                 1980 to 1987

Joe Parker                     1987 to 1994

Stephen Wroe                1994 to date.

Stephen was appointed Conductor and Musical Director in 1994.

As for Accompanists:

George Thompson was the first (as he was Organist at the Church where the Choir started) from 1959 to 1961.

From 1961, Robert Chicken was Accompanist until 1967, when he moved away from the area to work.

George Gent was invited to take over at that point and he remained in post for 38 years.

In 2005, when George Gent became ill, the Choirs then Deputy Accompanist, Dennis Whittaker, took over for a year and in 2006, Robert Chicken returned to the position until 2009.

In September 2009, Richard Forster was appointed Accompanist.

The Choir’s current active membership stands at 49 members, who come from the Tyneside and Wearside area, including Sunderland, South Shields, Houghton le Spring, Gateshead, Chester le Street and Durham.

Two of the present Choir members are Life Members -  Raymond Gair and Robert Jobson. Raymond and Robert were awarded Life Membership in recognition of stalwart and faithful service to the Choir over many years.

Robert as a former Chairman of the Choir for many years, and Raymond as Honorary Treasurer to the Choir for 32 years in addition to being a Soloist for the Choir over some 49 years.

Other Life Memberships have been awarded by the Choir to former Conductors Brian McAree and the late Joe Parker and also to George Thompson, former Accompanist.

The Choirs Patrons are Bonaventura Bottone and Jennifer Dakin.

Our President is Hazel Thompson and John Mawston is our Vice President.

Our Honorary Chairman is Jack Hindmarch.

Our Honorary Secretary is Ron Wilson.

Our Honorary Treasurer is Roger Ford.

Of the 47 current singing member of the Choir, 27 are Bass/Baritone and 20 are Tenors.