PETER JORDAN
reporting in the Nottingham Evening Post
traces the 'career' of the music-maker extraordinaire

Robert Hywel Davies M.B.E.

MR MUSIC'S RISE AND RISE

(reported:12:00 - 22 July 2005)

No one has done more for choir music in Notts than Bob Davies, a fact recognised when he received an MBE. The name Robert Hywel Davies has been synonymous with choirs and music-making in Notts for more than 40 years but, it was in the playground of a Staffordshire school almost seven decades ago that he first took up the baton to conduct a band at the tender age of seven.

To mark his outstanding contribution to music, Bob was honoured by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List with an MBE. Born in Silverdale, Staffs, in 1930, Bob was a product of a musical family, his father, sister and brother all involved with choirs, either as singers or conductors. Teachers at Silverdale Board School recognised his potential and allowed the eager seven-year-old to take up a wooden baton and lead a 40-strong contingent of fellow pupils in rehearsals for a school's music competition. They won the competition for schools in the Newcastle area, Bob earning top marks as its conductor.
After learning to play the piano in 1942, Bob joined Silverdale Methodist Church's Sunday School choir and later Newcastle Male Voice Choir, before helping to form the Silverdale-based Daleians Choir in 1957. Bob's reputation as a singer and conductor was growing and after moving to Nottinghamshire in 1961 he took over as conductor of Calverton Methodist Church. He became a prolific award-winner, achieving success as a solo bass singer in competitions and at music festivals and was actively involved with both the Co-op Arts Theatre and the Bairnswear Theatre Group.

In 1972 Bob was invited to become musical director of Carlton and District Male Voice Choir and, through his inspirational leadership, it established a reputation as one of the foremost choirs in the Midlands. The choir's ranks grew from just 24 singers when Bob joined to around 70 when he handed over the reins 21 years later. The name was shortened to Carlton Male Voice Choir, and Bob guided it through exciting times, Nottingham's Albert Hall becoming a prestigious venue for many outstanding concert performances. He was directly responsible for bringing famous names to the city and among those who teamed up with Carlton, mainly for charity concerts, were Roy Castle, John Boulter (Black and White Minstrel Show), Helen Shapiro and Humphrey Lyttleton. Down the years the choir has raised thousands for good causes, and Bob has been a driving force, always willing to offer help and support to those in need.

He was a member of the executive of the Midlands Group 10 of the National Association of Choirs, for many years and a former president. He still managed to hold down a full-time job and for 29 years was a marketing representative for the Esso Oil Company.
Married to Linda, a radiographer at King's Mill Hospital's Breast Unit, Bob became involved with Selston's Music Festival after moving to live in the area.
He was honorary treasurer for Selston's Musical Festival for a number of years and is still a much valued committee member. While experiencing the first stages of Parkinson's Disease in 1993, Bob retired as Carlton's musical director. Soon afterwards, he was asked to assist Chesterfield Male Voice Choir during difficult times and became temporary leader for six months. He is the Carlton choir's conductor emeritus and a life vice-president. Choir chairman Mike Curtis said: "No one has done more for choir singing and music." Donald Grundy, chairman of Selston's Music Festival committee, said:

" The MBE is the crowning glory for a music-maker extraordinaire."

Carlton MVC announce the death of Bob Davies>>>

Obituary by John Hardiman