Our History

Imerys Engineering Male Voice Choir was formed in the early 1960s to compete in the China Clay Works Choirs Class of the St Austell Music Festival. It is one of three remaining choirs in the St Austell area to be supported by Imerys Minerals Ltd, formerly ECC International. At one time membership was exclusive to ECC International's engineering employees, but this is no longer a requirement.

What we do now

Predominantly a concert choir, contest work still features in our choir's calendar and we have been successful in music festivals throughout the South West and on one occasion had the honour of being Cornish Champions. As a concert choir, we have raised many thousands of pounds for worthy charities and to this end continue to give concerts at a variety of venues across Devon and Cornwall.

Recognising the importance of fellowship in good music, the choir members have always been enthusiastic travellers and the choir has toured extensively in the UK and occasionally in Europe. We have also appeared in the BBC Look North programme set in Yorkshire and in two of BBC Television's With Brass & Voice programmes, where we were accompanied by the fine sound of St Austell Brass Band. The choir has also performed with others from Cornwall in BBC Television's Songs of Praise in Truro Cathedral and at the Eden Project and One Thousand Cornish Voices in the Royal Albert Hall.

We have produced two recordings, both of which have proved to be a great success. Above all we enjoy our music and hope that, singer or listener, you do too.