IF YOU’VE ever wondered what it’s like to sing in the country’s biggest male voice choir contest, then here’s a flavour of it.

According to Colne Valley Male Voice Choir’s chairman John Lees, it’s a bit like Cup Final day.

Here’s how he described how it felt to be part of the team of singers who had travelled down to the far south of the country to represent the Colne Valley in the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival.

“The is the ‘big one’ for male voice choirs, the bi-annual five day event peaks over the May Day weekend,” said John.

“This year 60 choirs from across the world performed in 50 events at 40 venues all over Cornwall.“

“For the Saturday afternoon competition Colne Valley Male Voice Choir queued in turn, first for the rehearsal room and then for their opportunity to sing.”

And there will be differing views on whether being drawn next to last is a good or a bad thing.

Some think it’s good to be able to size up the competition. Others find the tension of waiting to sing almost unbearable.

“The tension rises as if awaiting the final whistle at the Cup Final,” said John.

“An unusually flawless rehearsal only serves to agitate the butterflies.

“We sing our four “own choice” pieces all eyes glued to Thom’s (Meredith) every movement and expression and suddenly, it’s all over!

“All we can do now is wait an hour or so for the adjudication.”

The result, when it finally came, was a great one for Colne Valley, their conductor Thom Meredith and accompanist Keith Swallow.

“When it comes we learn that we are a close second to a German choir ,” said John.

“But we win the Pendenis Trophy for best UK large Choir and the Peter Gould Trophy for best UK Choir overall.”

The choir also topped the bill at the International Gala Concert in Truro Cathedral, having been invited to sing the world premiere of a composition by Paul Drayton.

The piece, called The Reaper, was commissioned especially for the festival.

Concerts at the Eden Centre and All Saints Church, Falmouth, on the Sunday, completed a hard but rewarding five days for Colne Valley.