The choir grew in numbers over time, with members from other major Christian churches who travelled from Echuca, Bamawm, Rushworth, Tatura, Stanhope and Kyabram.
Not only do the men in the choir love to sing, but the members of the congregation love those opportunities when they can sing along.
The Cooma Choir enjoyed a reputation for work of the highest excellence.
It re-formed each year in the early spring for the Cooma anniversary then made appearances in other centres throughout the district.
The first conductor was Alf Poole and the original organist was Beryl Robinson. Alf conducted the choir for nearly 50 years. Lindsay Clapp assisted from 1971 then took over as conductor in 1974. Lindsay’s wife, Kathleen, meticulously wrote out music by hand for the male voice parts of the choir. In 2002 the choir decided on a uniform of a white shirt and red tie. In that same year Stewart Anderson became conductor of the choir and continued for 10 years, after which his son Peter took over the position.
The Cooma Choir organists have always shown versatility to play the many different instruments they encountered, namely Tom Manly, Beryl Poole, Mavis Miller, Elsie Andrew, Ivy Anderson (nee Clapp) Olive Brown (nee Marke), Margaret Marshall (nee Manley), Graeme Brewer, Shirley Burchett and Geoff Anderson.
Thank you to Christine Anderson for the photograph and information compiled in her book titled Cooma Male Choir – A Witness in Song 1926 – 2015 and to all who contributed to the book in any way.
• Compiled by Eileen Sullivan, Kyabram Historical Society voluntary librarian.
