Massed Male Choir
Our Brass & Voices Prom will feature a specially created 200 voice massed male choir, to be conducted by Welsh Proms Artistic Director Owain Arwel Hughes CBE. Details of the individual choirs making up the massed ensemble can be found below.
The choir will feature together with the Massed Bands of Lewis-Merthyr & RAF St Athan, and Organ on Wednesday July 24th. For full event information and repertoire, visit the events section of the website here
The choir will feature together with the Massed Bands of Lewis-Merthyr & RAF St Athan, and Organ on Wednesday July 24th. For full event information and repertoire, visit the events section of the website here
Bridgend Male Choir
This 90 strong Welsh male voice choir has been established in since 1960, when it was originally named the Bridgend Police Choir. The name was changed in 1987 to the Bridgend and District Male Choir. In 2006 it simplified its name to Bridgend Male Choir (Cor Meibion Penybont)..
The Choir celebrated its 50th Birthday in 2010 and was awarded a Citizenship Award from the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council for 50 years of fundraising, generating in excess of a £1Million for charity.
The quality of the choir is reflected in the choir's regular competitive success, notably its recent successes at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2014, and the National Eisteddfod of Wales, where Bridgend Male Choir won first prize in 2014 at Newport, and went on to repeat this success in Swansea in 2006. The choir also achieved 'Best Male Choir' in S4C's Cor Cymru competition in 2005 and again reached the final in 2007.
This South Wales choir in fact has a long history of competition success, also winning the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival of Music & Performing Arts in 2006, and is the only Welsh choir to have scored a remarkable double victory at the 1991 Concorso Internazionale Di Canto Corale, a prestigious festival held in Verona featuring 20 leading choirs from 6 nations.
In addition to its success in competition, Bridgend Male Choir see themselves first and foremost as a concert choir; and boast an ever-expanding repertoire of classical and folk pieces, traditional Welsh anthems, spirituals and popular songs from the shows.
The choir's visits abroad have expanded the Bridgend choir's repertoire in a number of languages, and have included three visits to Bridgend's twin town of Langenau, Germany, and additional visits to Berlin, Canada, France, Jersey, Italy, Eire, Spain, Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Shwieberdingen, Weissacht-Flacht, Northern Ireland, and Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
The majority of the concerts Bridgend Male Choir perform are in aid of deserving charities. The total raised through these choir concerts since 1960 amounts to a figure in excess of a £1million pounds. The choir have also performed with leading Welsh artists Katherine Jenkins, Max Boyce, Shan Cothi, Dennis O'Neill, Sir Willard White, Huw Edwards and Mike Doyle
The Choir celebrated its 50th Birthday in 2010 and was awarded a Citizenship Award from the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council for 50 years of fundraising, generating in excess of a £1Million for charity.
The quality of the choir is reflected in the choir's regular competitive success, notably its recent successes at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2014, and the National Eisteddfod of Wales, where Bridgend Male Choir won first prize in 2014 at Newport, and went on to repeat this success in Swansea in 2006. The choir also achieved 'Best Male Choir' in S4C's Cor Cymru competition in 2005 and again reached the final in 2007.
This South Wales choir in fact has a long history of competition success, also winning the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival of Music & Performing Arts in 2006, and is the only Welsh choir to have scored a remarkable double victory at the 1991 Concorso Internazionale Di Canto Corale, a prestigious festival held in Verona featuring 20 leading choirs from 6 nations.
In addition to its success in competition, Bridgend Male Choir see themselves first and foremost as a concert choir; and boast an ever-expanding repertoire of classical and folk pieces, traditional Welsh anthems, spirituals and popular songs from the shows.
The choir's visits abroad have expanded the Bridgend choir's repertoire in a number of languages, and have included three visits to Bridgend's twin town of Langenau, Germany, and additional visits to Berlin, Canada, France, Jersey, Italy, Eire, Spain, Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Shwieberdingen, Weissacht-Flacht, Northern Ireland, and Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
The majority of the concerts Bridgend Male Choir perform are in aid of deserving charities. The total raised through these choir concerts since 1960 amounts to a figure in excess of a £1million pounds. The choir have also performed with leading Welsh artists Katherine Jenkins, Max Boyce, Shan Cothi, Dennis O'Neill, Sir Willard White, Huw Edwards and Mike Doyle
Cor Meibion Morlais
Côr Meibion Morlais traces its history back to February 1928 when Mr Alfred Morgan staged an evening of entertainment at Ebenezer Chapel, Tylorstown, Rhondda, with a group of a dozen singers calling themselves the Mustard Club.
Such was the success of the Mustard Club concert that “Alfie” Morgan decided to constitute his singers as a permanent Choir, choosing the name “Morlais Glee Singers”, which remained in use until 1970 when we adopted the title Côr Meibion Morlais.
Under the direction of Alfie Morgan, the Morlais established twin traditions of innovation and success, traditions which have continued to this day. By 1931 the new Choir was winning prizes at Eisteddfodau and was in great demand throughout Wales and southern England. Then, in 1932, the Choir began a series of Annual Concerts in Ferndale with principal solo artists of international repute – Dame Gwyneth Jones, Heddle Nash and Stuart Burrows to name just three. The Morlais Annual Concerts have continued without a break to this day.
Alfie Morgan moved away from the Rhondda in 1939 and the conductor’s baton was taken up first of all by Trevor Lewis (1939-56), then by Trefor Jeffery (1957-80), Neil Johnson (1981-5) and John Asquith (1986- ). The Choir managed to keep going throughout World War II, and in the post war period was able to undertake engagements as diverse as the 1951 Pageant of Wales and a concert for the inmates of Cardiff gaol later the same year!
In 1962, the Morlais visited Stuttgart on the first of a long succession of overseas tours. At the end of the final concert in Stuttgart’s Liederhalle, the South German Association of Choirs presented the Morlais with the Wilhelm Nagel Medal, an award for outstanding levels of performance: it hangs in the Morlais Hall still.
Beginning in 1978, Côr Meibion Morlais organised annual Gala Days in Ferndale’s spectacular Darren Park. Not only did the Morlais Galas help raise funds for the Choir, they also provided immensely enjoyable days out for the people of Ferndale. Sadly the spiralling cost of staging events of this kind meant that the Galas were discontinued after 1991.
In 1981 the Choir purchased the disused North Road English Congregational Chapel in Ferndale and turned it into rehearsal premises. A great deal of work needed to be done to make the building serviceable and it was not until June 1982 that the Choir was able to move in. The building was then re-named the “Morlais Hall” and has gone on to become an invaluable resource for many local groups and associations in the area. For the Choir, the Hall is a permanent home for rehearsals and small concerts, and also a place to welcome visiting musicians, most recently the Russian State Cossack Song and Dance Ensemble and the Coro Cum Jubilo from northern Spain.
In 2010-2011 the Morlais received from the Welsh Government’s Heads of the Valleys Fund a substantial grant towards the cost of refurbishing the Morlais Hall, which has been transformed into a light and airy, modern concert hall, together with a meeting room, kitchen and music library under the same roof. The building is used by many local organisations on a regular basis and the new technical facilities, including contemporary sound and lighting equipment, have also made it possible for the Hall to become home to the highly successful Rhondda Stage School for Young People.
Over the years Côr Meibion Morlais has been fortunate to recruit enthusiastic and loyal choristers who have ensured the choir’s survival through tumultuous decades of unemployment, war and social change. Fashions in music come and go, but the thread of enjoyment and fulfillment has never broken, and is as strong as ever as we face the challenges of the future: the history of the Morlais is one which is far from over.
Such was the success of the Mustard Club concert that “Alfie” Morgan decided to constitute his singers as a permanent Choir, choosing the name “Morlais Glee Singers”, which remained in use until 1970 when we adopted the title Côr Meibion Morlais.
Under the direction of Alfie Morgan, the Morlais established twin traditions of innovation and success, traditions which have continued to this day. By 1931 the new Choir was winning prizes at Eisteddfodau and was in great demand throughout Wales and southern England. Then, in 1932, the Choir began a series of Annual Concerts in Ferndale with principal solo artists of international repute – Dame Gwyneth Jones, Heddle Nash and Stuart Burrows to name just three. The Morlais Annual Concerts have continued without a break to this day.
Alfie Morgan moved away from the Rhondda in 1939 and the conductor’s baton was taken up first of all by Trevor Lewis (1939-56), then by Trefor Jeffery (1957-80), Neil Johnson (1981-5) and John Asquith (1986- ). The Choir managed to keep going throughout World War II, and in the post war period was able to undertake engagements as diverse as the 1951 Pageant of Wales and a concert for the inmates of Cardiff gaol later the same year!
In 1962, the Morlais visited Stuttgart on the first of a long succession of overseas tours. At the end of the final concert in Stuttgart’s Liederhalle, the South German Association of Choirs presented the Morlais with the Wilhelm Nagel Medal, an award for outstanding levels of performance: it hangs in the Morlais Hall still.
Beginning in 1978, Côr Meibion Morlais organised annual Gala Days in Ferndale’s spectacular Darren Park. Not only did the Morlais Galas help raise funds for the Choir, they also provided immensely enjoyable days out for the people of Ferndale. Sadly the spiralling cost of staging events of this kind meant that the Galas were discontinued after 1991.
In 1981 the Choir purchased the disused North Road English Congregational Chapel in Ferndale and turned it into rehearsal premises. A great deal of work needed to be done to make the building serviceable and it was not until June 1982 that the Choir was able to move in. The building was then re-named the “Morlais Hall” and has gone on to become an invaluable resource for many local groups and associations in the area. For the Choir, the Hall is a permanent home for rehearsals and small concerts, and also a place to welcome visiting musicians, most recently the Russian State Cossack Song and Dance Ensemble and the Coro Cum Jubilo from northern Spain.
In 2010-2011 the Morlais received from the Welsh Government’s Heads of the Valleys Fund a substantial grant towards the cost of refurbishing the Morlais Hall, which has been transformed into a light and airy, modern concert hall, together with a meeting room, kitchen and music library under the same roof. The building is used by many local organisations on a regular basis and the new technical facilities, including contemporary sound and lighting equipment, have also made it possible for the Hall to become home to the highly successful Rhondda Stage School for Young People.
Over the years Côr Meibion Morlais has been fortunate to recruit enthusiastic and loyal choristers who have ensured the choir’s survival through tumultuous decades of unemployment, war and social change. Fashions in music come and go, but the thread of enjoyment and fulfillment has never broken, and is as strong as ever as we face the challenges of the future: the history of the Morlais is one which is far from over.
Ogmore Valley Male Choir
Ogmore Valley Male Choir / Cor Meibion Cwm Ogwrare a relatively young choir, only being formed in 1982. Since that time however, the choir has been busy, touring to Canada, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, France and Croatia.
They were featured in the movie Very Annie Mary starring Jonathan Pryce, performed the opening music of the film Dirty Sanchez and have been guest artista supporting Merril Osmond.
The choir regularly perform extensively throughout the UK and Europe and have produced several CD recordings, and are proud to own their own concert hall and venue in their local community.
Some of the prestigious venues the choir have performed at include Cardiff Castle, Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff Arms Park, Craig Yr Nos Castle, Royal Albert Hall, St David's Hall, Manchester MEN Arena, Basilica of Montserrat (Spain), Lake Garda, Sirmione Church (Italy), Marseillan (France), Marylake Shrine (Toronto), Church in Sorrento (Italy), National Museum of Wales), Torrevieja (Spain) and Lloret de Mar (Spain), Latvia, Kutina Church (Croatia) & Karlovac Music Academy (Croatia).
The choir are thoroughly looking forward to making their debut performance at the 2017 Welsh Proms in July.
They were featured in the movie Very Annie Mary starring Jonathan Pryce, performed the opening music of the film Dirty Sanchez and have been guest artista supporting Merril Osmond.
The choir regularly perform extensively throughout the UK and Europe and have produced several CD recordings, and are proud to own their own concert hall and venue in their local community.
Some of the prestigious venues the choir have performed at include Cardiff Castle, Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff Arms Park, Craig Yr Nos Castle, Royal Albert Hall, St David's Hall, Manchester MEN Arena, Basilica of Montserrat (Spain), Lake Garda, Sirmione Church (Italy), Marseillan (France), Marylake Shrine (Toronto), Church in Sorrento (Italy), National Museum of Wales), Torrevieja (Spain) and Lloret de Mar (Spain), Latvia, Kutina Church (Croatia) & Karlovac Music Academy (Croatia).
The choir are thoroughly looking forward to making their debut performance at the 2017 Welsh Proms in July.
The 200 voice massed male choir will feature, together with Wales and the world's number one brass band, the Cory Band, in the celebratory Brass & Voices concert on Wednesday July 26th.
For full event information and repertoire, visit the events section of the website here
For full event information and repertoire, visit the events section of the website here