RIVERTONES 40th ANNIVERSARY

The Rivertones Chorus is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary having been formed back in November, 1983.

Shortly after their formation, the chorus appeared at the Brewhouse Theatre in a Marjory Tattersalls 1984 Spectacular. Within just over a year, the chorus had built up to a membership of around 22 singers and were appearing in their own show – ‘Barbershop Comes To Town’ – at the Brewhouse with guest acts including the Apple County Chorus, a ladies barbershop club who had also recently just formed. Also on the bill were the Great Western Chorus from Bristol who at that time were winning gold medals as they are these days, one of the best barbershop clubs in the country.

As well as their normal chorus harmony singing, The Rivertones (Taunton Barbershop Harmony Club) featured quartets during their rehearsal evenings, which in those days were held on a Tuesday evening in the North Street Congregational Church hall in Taunton. The Rivertones now rehearse on a Thursday evening at the Oakwood Church, Obridge, in Taunton. It’s current musical director, Peter Gover, was a member of the club during it’s early days, under the directorship of Ron Avis. Nick Graves – and later Jim Kirkby – both current members, also featured on the early years. In recent years, despite once reaching a membership of around 55, since the Covid pandemic numbers are now at around the 30 mark.