The choir has also welcomed a number of new members and has an exciting new year to look forward to.
To celebrate a successful 2008 the choir, patrons and friends recently met for lunch at The Queen's Hotel.
Life membership awards were made by choir president Ken Northey to choir chairman Brian Gendall and secretary Bryan Marshall.
The outstanding contribution of accompanist Marian Rae, now in her 50th year with the choir, was acknowledged by a presentation of a beautiful basket of flowers.
In the past year the choir has raised more than £1,200 for local charities, mounted the popular Newlyn Male Choir Buccas Fair in July at The Centre, and appeared at more than 20 concerts. Plans for this year include two concerts in the International Choir Festival and a trip to Bath and Bristol.
Neil Shepherd said he was delighted to have joined the choir and, as befits Newlyn's maritime heritage, said: "I want to take the choir out of port and out to sea."
With the revived sense of confidence and direction, inspired by Neil's enthusiasm and many years of choral experience, Newlyn Male Choir's journey into the future seems set fair.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN