Glynneath Male Voice Choir
The choir is a registered charity and as such we perform at various functions on a regular basis. We also perform at weddings and other celebrations. Practice is every Monday and Thursday from 7 p.m. at the Glynneath Rugby Club, and visitors are welcome to come along. We are approximately fifty strong and are always on the look out for new members. The present age range is from 16 to 90 and anyone interested should contact the secretary, or just come along on practice nights, where they will be sure of a warm and enthusiastic welcome.
A Potted history
The choir was formed in 1962 under Mr. David Harrison and began performing at concerts and competitions at which they were extremely successful. Over the years the choir had a succession of very successful lady conductors and they went into serious competition at all the major eisteddfodau. In March 1994, Mr. Gareth Sims took over as head of the well.
The choir has over time built up a reputation for its distinctive melodic sound and clear diction, and has been invited to sing at the Royal Albert Hall on eight occasions. When Gareth took over the baton, the choir continued its winning ways and were placed third in the National Eisteddfod of Wales. In 1996 they took first place in the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl. Gareth’s wife Julie took over as accompanist from Mr. Gerwyn Harries, who then became the Assistant Musical Director.
Recently, the choir produced a new CD "There is a Land" which features some old favourites as well as some new and exciting songs, from spirituals to the major pieces like "Nidaros".
The choir has travelled extensively to Brittany, France, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, and Barbados, and has sung in most of the Cathedrals and concert halls in England and Wales. In January 2001 the choir went on tour with the Opera Box Office Company and gave seven performances of Alun Hoddinot's opera, "Tower". Both choir and conductor received very favourable reviews. In October 2002, we travelled to Prague and performed two cultural concerts in the heart of the beautiful old town. On our return, Mr. Gerwyn Harris became our Musical Director. In February 2007 our deputy accompanist Angharad Davies took over as full time accompanist at the tender age of 16 the youngest ever, However she has proved to be incredibly capable and we are indeed fortunate to have such precocious talent on board. Over more recent years, we have made tours around the Costa del Sol, Spain and county Mayo in Ireland, and Kirkcudbright Scotland, where we were given a fantastic reception by the local people.
Graham Hall - Chairman
