About us

The Choir was formed in 1941 at the de-Havilland Aircraft Factory in Stag Lane, Edgware and was originally known as the ‘de-Havilland Male Voice Choir’. Throughout the subsequent decades, the Choir changed its name to the Beverly Singers, Apollo Male Voice Choir and more recently to the Harrow Apollo Male Choir to signify the strong links with the Borough of Harrow. The Choir recruits from all over North West London and performs to audiences in London, South East England and overseas.

Based at the Harrow Arts Centre, Hatch End, Middlesex, the Choir is non-denominational and currently has over 40 singing members. The common bond is the desire to sing for enjoyment, give pleasure through singing to others and to raise funds for charity. The Choir has long established itself for its quality of sound and its broad musical repertoire.

Throughout its history, the Choir has sung at venues as diverse as the Royal Albert Hall, Cologne Cathedral, Arsenal Football Ground and Wormwood Scrubs Prison! About 12-15 concerts are given each year mostly in England although the Choir has also performed in Germany, Ireland, USA (1998), Belgium (2002), Normandy (2005), Scotland (2008) and Jersey (2010).

The Choir is frequently engaged to perform at weddings, corporate events and massed male voice choir events.

The Choir has and continues to raise substantial funds for national and local charities including the Paul Strickland Scanner Appeal, Teenage Cancer Trust, SSAFA Forces Help and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The Choir has recently produced its second CD en-titled 'In Reflection'.

Choir Personalities

DAVID HEASMAN - MUSIC DIRECTOR

David first sang as a boy soprano at the age of 6 and his choral education was as a church chorister. His maternal grandfather was Welsh, and his father sang with the Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir so singing is in his blood. He has sung with many amateur Choruses in performances of the Beethoven 9th 'Choral' Symphony, Verdi Requiem, Bach Mass in B minor, Handel's Messiah etc..

He joined the Harrow Apollo in 1963 as a chorister, shortly after leaving school and sang in the Baritone and Second Tenor sections and as a soloist. He was the compere at their concerts before stepping in to conduct a Concert at short notice when the Music Director was taken ill. He took over as full-time Conductor in 1973 and has not looked back.

Philomena MacRae - Accompanist

Philomena MacRae has been the accompanist to the Harrow Apollo Male Choir since 1965. She first played the piano on the stage when she was 5 years old and gave her first recital at the age of 6. She has broadcast from Ireland, Germany and the BBC and given recitals in London and the Provinces. She obtained an ARCM at age 19. Her first teacher was her mother (a cellist) and thereafter studied with several teachers including Iris Loveridge, the celebrated concert pianist. Philomena's father was Scottish and she is immensely proud of this connection.