A Day on The Maes – Reflections on Risca Male Choir

At the National Eisteddfod, 2024 - Pontypridd

This brief blog is a personal reflection on the choir’s participation in, and success at, this year’s National Eisteddfod. I and a number of others are newcomers without previous choral experience, so we were going into our first competition of any sort on 10th August.

The Eisteddfod is of course an annual celebration of song, dance, poetry, and other art forms central to the cultural life of Wales, all expressed through the Welsh language. The latter point is central as any choir taking part, whether in concert or competition, has to do so through the medium of Welsh.

Risca Male Choir (RMC) has its roots and base in a community in Wales, but one that is largely English speaking, and only has a few Welsh speakers as members. Though the RMC repertoire includes a number of songs in Welsh, there is a challenge for many in mastering and performing these.

Going back just a couple of months, we new boys – not yet full choir members – were aware that this year’s big aim was Eisteddfod competition. The rules are simple: Three songs in Welsh in 12 minutes

The repertoire was already set – Hiraeth, Gwinllan a roddwyd, and Y Gair Oedd Duw. The first of these was known to the RMC, but not the newcomers. The second was known in full to the RMC, but only in part to newcomers: The third, in Welsh, was new to everyone (previously sung in English!), and was sung unaccompanied. It was quite a challenge…..and that’s putting it mildly.

Matt Harrison, our Music Director, impressed on all of us the need to follow his lead and advice. He offered us new boys individual sessions to assess our progress and help us generally. That was greatly appreciated.

We went through repeated and more frequent rehearsals. Practising at home, or wherever, using recordings by Matt became part of the routine. There was discussion, sometimes animated, and ironing out areas that weren’t working well – but above all, discipline was key, and that point was driven home.

Basically sing-listen-repeat. Look at Matt. Follow instructions. Get your breathing right………….if you want to succeed at the National Eisteddfod.

By the big day, 10th August, we had all become full choir members. Didn’t make me, or others, any less nervous mind you! So up to HQ, get on the coach and off to Pontypridd – 50 men in black, plus Matt, and Mackenzie, off to compete against nine other male choirs from across Wales. The weather turned out nice, which meant that the afternoon competition in the Pavilion on the Maes would be hot – in all respects.

We find out we are drawn eight out of the ten choirs competing. That means we’re on after 5pm, so a lot of hanging about, nerves building. We have a 30 minute practice slot in a nearby church. Goes reasonably well, but last minute adjustments to remember for later called for.

Finally, we are called into a very hot, cramped changing area, and wait. Someone from another choir tells us it’s even hotter on stage! Winding us up? Who knows?

Trevor Baker (Bass) lines us up into the four rows we’ll be in on stage. Last minute checks – phones OFF, stand properly, smile and engage with the audience, but eyes on Matt!!

Another move, into the dark behind the stage as the previous choir are going through their set – then we hear the applause as they leave and we take centre stage.

Applause then silence. Mackenzie plays the opening chords to Hiraeth on Matt’s direction and we’re away - two more pieces, seems so quick, and we’re done – we leave the stage to applause and cheering, trying to take everything in…relief. Time for a beer afterwards – of course!

Wait again until 7 pm for the adjudication – results given, in Welsh, and in reverse order we guess………and the announcement we’ve been waiting for…..

In first place, Côr Meibion Rhisga!

Couldn’t believe it. Lots of shouting and cheering as Matt goes up to receive the cup, which he displays in true FA Cup Winner fashion – and he gets the medal for director of the top choir. He’s in bits afterwards – great release of emotion. We all feel it. We have won. We have won. Keep repeating it. Eisteddfod Champions has a real ring to it. We’re all elated.

Where next – off to the beer tent, obviously!

David Hopkins
2nd tenor