Harmony Men - Jersey, Channel Islands

In June 1992, a dozen or so male voice enthusiasts gathered in the real ale bar of a quiet country hotel to discuss the idea of setting up a male voice choir, an ingredient which had been missing from Jersey’s otherwise rich musical mix for the best part of a decade

The result was the formation of The Harmony Men, a name chosen as a suitably upbeat reflection of the founders’ musical intentions a

nd their determination that the emphasis should be firmly on entertainment. Nineteen years on, and under the baton of musical director Trevor Prouse who took over the helm in 2010, The Harmony Men remain true to their original philosophy. The repertoire is dominated by quality arrangements of modern and well-known songs - with just enough of a presence from the more weighty composers to satisfy the traditionalists. As a result, The Harmony Men have built up a faithful following allowing them to raise many thousands of pounds for worthy causes. In addition to their regular appearances on the concert platform, the men have also released three CDs, the latest of which - Christmas With The Harmony Men - sold out within a few weeks of reaching the shelves last year, raising £5,000 for Robin Ward at the General Hospital in the process. Although they now have a membership of around 40 singers, The Harmony Men remain essentially a group of close friends. They take their music seriously but - to the delight of supporters and unsuspecting members of the public alike - will happily ring a few chords in the odd country inn when the opportunity arises and they never miss the chance to serenade a lady.