Risca Male Choir - Blog #27
What a busy month we have just had - 4 performances in the space of 10 days!! There have been a range of events we have been part of - the Jubilee celebration in Risca, a performance on the radio with Wynne Evans, the Falklands Memorial Service and a private event at Tiny Rebel. We were so busy preparing for these events that coming back to normal rehearsals has been a bit of light relief. Of course, we never stand still, and we have 2 more events booked in July on the same day! Hopefully we can keep our high standards for these events as we love the positive responses we have received recently and we want to make sure they keep coming. If you want something done, ask a busy choir to do it!!
By now, I imagine that you have seen that I am in the process of moving back to my hometown, meaning I will be leaving the choir. As I have told the guys already, I wish that I could bring them all up north with me so that I could continue my work with them, but as it isn’t possible, Risca Male Choir are in the process of recruiting a new Music Director. I am sure that the person that follows me will succeed as they will inherit a hard-working, loyal and talented bunch of singers who are there to enjoy themselves too. It is a recipe for good performances. I wish the next MD well and I will be doing my best to come and see the choir as much as possible in the future - they won’t get rid of me that easily!!
And finally, it was a pleasure to be part of the choir’s AGM as we got to see many awards handed out, including those who have served the choir for many years and those who have shown exceptional dedication by offering their services that are often times away from singing. Here, you will see those who have been given awards along with their achievement. Paul Phillips, the choir Chairman, was giving the awards on that occasion. CONGRATULATION to all those well-deserving choristers.
Welsh Musicians of the Month - Cerddorion Cymreig y Mis
Gwyn Hughes Jones (1969-present)
Born in Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey, Hughes Jones made his professional debut in 1995.
He made his Royal Opera House debut in 2005 as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly and has since performed Wagnerian and Verdi roles with the company.
Hughes Jones has appeared in concert with Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is often seen doing recitals and sings in the St David’s Day Concert at St David’s Hall with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales frequently.
Dafydd Iwan (1943-present)
Born in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, Iwan is a political folk singer that began in the late 1960s.
He is best known for his song ‘Yma o Hyd’ which has recently been used to raise the spirits of the Welsh football crowds in the run up to Wales progressing to the World Cup in 2022.
Using his architecture studies, in 1971 Iwan was one of the founders of Cymdeithas Tai Gwynedd (Gwynedd Housing Association) and was involved in other projects to provide homes for the local population in north-west Wales.
He was also the president of Plaid Cymru between 2003 and 2010.
