Imperial Male Voice Choir takes its name from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, part of the University of London and situated in South Kensington. It was here that the choir’s founder members met in the 1970s whilst rehearsing stage productions with the College Operatic Society. The Society’s traditional summer tour to Devon offered the gentlemen of the cast the opportunity to take a break from Gilbert & Sullivan and explore the repertoire for male voices in four part harmony.

Performing initially as an octet at charity concerts in the local parish church during the 1978 and 1979 tours, the choir more than doubled its membership in 1980 and gave its first public concert in London. It was at this time that Deborah Miles-Johnson began her long association with the choir as musical director. Harnessing our youthful enthusiasm, she led the choir to a series of successes in competitive festivals, initially in London and the Southeast, but later further afield. Cups and awards were won at festivals, which included Cheltenham, Bath and the inaugural Elgar festival in Worcester Cathedral. It was noticeable that we often boasted the youngest average age of competitors in our class by at least 30 years and adjudicators frequently commented on our distinctive sound and energy of performance.

In 1986 our first recording was made, a second following in 1996. In conjunction with our current recording, they form a unique cross-section of music for male voices from the 16th century to the present day. The choir annually presents two or three charity concerts, usually in the South-East of England. Over the years thousands of pounds have been raised for good causes and a number of up-and-coming soloists have featured in our performances. Most rehearsals are in the upstairs bar of The Morpeth Arms on Millbank in Westminster. In 1998, the choir performed several concerts in a short tour to France. More recently, in 2004, the choir travelled to the Neuchatel area of  Switzerland to perform two concerts. Each January sees us taking over a youth hostel for a popular ‘workshop’ weekend. 

For twelve years the choir rehearsed in the upstairs room of The Morpeth Arms in Westminster until its redevelopment in 2005 forced us to look elsewhere.

• Click the Soloists button for a complete list of soloists who have appeared with IMVC

• Click the Singers button for a complete list of singers who have performed with IMVC at various times

• Click the Achievements button for a complete list of our achievements and past events

• Click the Testimonials button to read what judges, critics and audiences have written about our performances.