Cambrian Male Voice Choir and MacMillans.

Cambrian Male Voice Choir was recently invited to give a charity performance at the Dunraven Conservative Club in Penygraig, to help raise funds for the MacMillan Nurses Charity, writes choir publicity officer Roy Gibbins. This was one of many charitable events supported by the choir. With the choir taking to the stage dressed smartly in their unique uniform of grey chequered jackets white shirts and black trousers, they opened the first half of their performance with Let All Men Sing. The rapturous applause from a packed hall set the tone for the remainder of the evening. Musical Director Fred Nicholas welcomed everyone to the concert and introduced each song as the evening progressed. With delightful anecdotes and witty jokes he soon built up a great rapport with the audience. Accompanist Brian James was in fine form as ever, even though he seemed to have trouble with a rotating ceiling fan directly above where he was sitting. A new number, included in choir's repertoire, was a medley of international song anthems which was very well received. The choir finished the first half with that well known Welsh favourite Sospan Fach.

After a short break for bingo and a raffle, the choir opened the second half with Rhythm of Life. Second tenor John Skinner accompanied Brian Downes in the singing of Finnan Haddie that had the audience roaring their approval in appreciation. After Gwahoddiad had everyone's hair standing on the back of their neck, the choir finished the evening with an encore of Anthem. The choir left the stage to a standing ovation. The night was a great triumph of song and laughter, all for a great cause. A huge vote of thanks to Macmillan Nurses for our invite and we hope the charity has benefited greatly from the evenings proceedings.

Cambrian Male Voice Choir. - The Offwell Trip. - 7^th May 2011

Offwell Concert Our choir made the annual journey over the bridge to Offwell, a small village near Honiton in Devon. This traditional concert was in aid of The British Heart Foundation. Arriving mid-afternoon we were warmly greeted by the event organizers who had laid on a welcome buffet. A long skittle alley was too inviting to be missed and soon a pre-concert tournament was organized. The choir split between bass and tenor section with our accompanying ladies also getting in on the act by forming their own team. A very competitive game was held, with the tenor section fortuitously outright winners, followed by the ladies team and the bass section in last position. Outstanding scores for the tenor section came from Keith Humphries and Allan Jones. For the ladies Lynne Rees scored the maximum nine pins much to the surprise of husband Kelvin. The bass section was littered with experienced skittlers though you would not have recognized it from some of them. Lyndon Norris, a regular skittler for the Top Club, brought his consistently poor form to bowl a disappointing score. He was not alone, and was joined by Sam Hewitt and David Bryant in scoring low. Many believe it was these three culprits who were responsible for the poor showing from the Bass team. After much gloating from members of the tenor and ladies team it was time for the concert.

A full hall welcomed the choir. With every seat taken we commenced with our time-honored opening number 'Let all Men sing'. Rapturously received, the first half of the concert continued with traditional Welsh hymns and classic hits from Broadway musicals. Interspersed between numbers were anecdotes from our Musical Director Fred Nicholas, which were warmly applauded. After a short break, the second half programme included a new song. 'Sick of the song of the seas' is a shanty number which involved us performing a number of physical actions during the song. One part has the choir pretending to sway heave-ho to an imaginary rope. I am pleased to report that no one was heaving when they should have been hoing. All too soon, the finale saw us perform 'Anthem' from the musical Chess. The audience marked the end with a wonderful ovation which was greatly appreciated by the choir.

After a quick change into casual clothes the choir was again treated to a hearty feast. We all then departed into the bar where thirsts were quenched and songs were sung. The brave ones amongst us succumbed to the temptations of Rosie, though they were probably sorry the following morning. With the bus leaving at 11.15pm we trundled back up the M5, happily singing our way home in the knowledge that another successful concert had been achieved.

Arthur Hayward Tribute

Arthur Hayward - Cambrian Chorister.

Arthur Hayward, the veteran Cambrian Male Voice Chorister, passed away on 7th March 2011. There are certain individuals who are described as the corner stone of an organisation, and Arthur was one such person in the Choir. He was a founding member of the choir and joined Cambrian Male Voice in 1947 while they were practising out of a house in Jones Street. He was a former miner at Cambrian Colliery. His dedicated service to the Choir was unquestionable. He toured with the Choir to all events both at home and abroad. His pitch perfect baritone voice allowed him to lead the choir at any time, in any situation. The picture shows Arthur at a special function in 1997, to celebrate his 50th anniversary in the choir ranks.

He was a strong and well respected member of the choir who supported everyone around him. He would listen to individual concerns and would advise on the best way forward. He had the experience and would nurture and encourage new members.

He leaves a lasting legacy with the Cambrian Choir. Though Arthur leaves us, his presence will be forever felt within the choir.

A Cambrian Debut - Roy Gibbins, Choir Publicity Officer

It finally arrived. Sunday 6th March 2011 and six new members are making their debut for Cambrian Male Voice Choir. I am one of them and rising at 7.00am. I am surprisingly relaxed about it all. A bath, breakfast, another look at the music and its time to get the gear. I check to make sure I have my jacket, my white shirt, my trousers, shoes, tie and belt. Then I check to make sure I have them again. I must have checked them six times, with my wife also checking once. Its down to the Bush Hotel at 10.15am to wait for the Edwards bus. I clamour aboard and a few choristers are already there. There's a friendly bit of banter and I sit near the toilet. Did I say I was feeling relaxed? The old butterflies are just awakening.

We pick up the remaining members and wives and finally arrive in Cardiff Bay at 11.30am. Then it's straight into the Wales Millennium Centre and we are taken to our dressing room. I've never been in a theatre's dressing room before. I wonder if there will be lights around the mirrors? Ah no! Our dressing room resembles a cold airplane hanger, and we share it with three other choirs. Our dinner is at 12 o'clock so we head straight to the canteen. We queue for 15 minutes before tucking in to an enjoyable beef dinner. I look to the experienced members to see what is happening next. We have an hour before rehearsals. Will we take in the sights of Cardiff Bay, or perhaps visit a museum? Instead we head for the nearest watering hole to sup a few j2o's. Fred holds court and the conversation flows.

We return to the Theatre for the 1.45pm rehearsal. It's a bit of a jostle for the seats but we finally settle. The empty theatre is spread before us, It is a magnificent sight. We chat to fellow choristers from Hereford Police and London Welsh. A good set of lads. I take a few photographs. Dr Alwyn Humphreys then conducts us through the program with some constructive advice and cutting humour. The 1st bass section is seated three rows from the front. No hiding place! Why do I think he's staring at me every time he looks our way? On some numbers the tenor section sing alone. Their vocals reverberate through the empty theatre. It sounds wonderful. The magnificent Cory band is in front of us leading the way. They are incredibly talented musicians and worthy World Champions.

A concert producer spells out some rules at the end of rehearsals. Every chorister must be seated by 4.45pm. Jackets are to be worn with the buttons done up. When sitting, hands are to be placed on knees. Hang on now pal, I'm having trouble remembering all the words never mind remembering how to sit! Two hours later rehearsals finish. I look to the experienced members to see what is happening next. We have an hour before curtain up. Will we take in the sights of Cardiff Bay, or perhaps visit a museum? Instead we head for the nearest watering hole to sup a few j2o's. That sounds familiar!

We return to the dressing room at 4.20pm. I clamour to change surrounded by more varicose veins than I care to remember. Then to our seats. A hush descends and the curtain opens. What a sight! The hairs on the back of my neck are vertical already. A near capacity audience clap their welcome. We sing three numbers then sit. Internationally acclaimed soloists David Kempster (baritone) and Elizabeth Donovan (soprano) superbly perform their numbers. If that is how a baritone is supposed to sound I have some way to go! Some of our songs have a great crescendo and with the choirs going full blast the noise fills the theatre. Polo mints are handed around between songs. All too soon the last song 'Y Tangnefeddwyr' is sung, and the concert concludes. I feel ecstatic. What a fantastic experience. We go back to the 'dressing room' to change. Some of our members are lost in the maize of corridors backstage. I meet my family briefly in the foyer. All of them thought it was a brilliant concert and the acoustics were incredible. My daughter thought the crescendos were deafeningly brilliant.

We leave the Theatre 8.25pm and head to the Coedely Club for more j2o's. Many choristers tell us, they wish they had joined many years before they actually did. I now know why. An unforgettable occasion! The day was filled with song and laughter. A good way to describe Cambrian Male Voice Choir ' Song and Laughter. Long may it continue!