Choir History

Late in the 19th century, a choir of over a hundred men was formed in Clydach Vale, by the employees of the local colliery and became ‘The Cambrian Colliery Male Choir’.
They were very active in the arena of local and National eisteddfodau. In the 1930’s it set a unique record as the first choir to win at the National Eisteddfod for three consecutive years.

The present choir was reformed in 1948 under the baton of Mr D.R.Lewis a young man of exceptional talent and dedication and in three years it grew in strength to 110 voices. When there became a shortage of ‘top tenors’ the choir disbanded and reformed immediately under the name ‘Cambrian Gleemen’ with only about 40 voices.
It quickly re-established the tradition of performing at Eisteddfodau, charity performances, appearing on television and singing regularly on radio etc. Many of the celebrities who sang in concert with the choir were world famous names – Sir Geraint Evans, Elizabeth Vaughan, Charles Craig and Delme Bryn Jones were just a few.

In the competitive field the choir won numerous prizes in Eisteddfodau, they grew in number and in stature and were once again named ‘Cambrian Male Choir’

In the mining industry many workers were maimed and killed due to the arduous nature of the work. The Cambrian Colliery had more than its fair share of deaths and the choir lost many men as a result. In 1965, 32 men lost their lives at the No.1 Pit and even though not one of them was a choir member this time, it had a profound effect on their lives. Membership dwindled and interest was at low ebb, when their conductor left them the choir hung together by a thread. In the years to follow, their pianist Mrs Muriel Rees was their rock and the choir began to break new ground musically. One of the choristers, Mr E. Davies took over the conductorship for a while and in 1973 a new conductor was appointed, Mr Paul Bennett. In him they found an exceptional music director and new ideas were soon formulated.

The choir activities are various and widespread. They have sung on numerous occasions at the Festivals of 1000 voices at the Royal Albert Hall. They have given concerts across the length and breadth of Britain and have performed concert tours in America and Germany. They still take great pleasure in the fact that they were the first Welsh choir to perform in Disneyworld Florida. In Germany, they have formed a lasting friendship with a choir there, the Frohsinn Male Voice Choir in Simmern and have reciprocated by hosting the Frohsinn in Rhondda several times.

Amongst other events the choir participated in a stage production of the works of the author Gwyn Thomas. Actor Glyn Houston required a local choir to help him with the production and he chose the Cambrian. The choir has also participated in the Welsh Association of Male Voice Choirs  ‘Choir of the Year’ Competition, winning the title on two consecutive occasions. They were the Majestic Choir Competition Runners Up in 2008. Are busy preparing a tour to Scotland in April 2010 and will be appearing at the Royal Albert Hall , London in October 2010.