On Sunday 7th June the town’s male voice choir made their third appearance at the country’s premier concert hall, when they performed at the world famous London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs. The choir were honoured and delighted to be invited back to this prestigious event and were immensely proud to have 68 choristers singing, the second largest contingent after the host choir. With 18 other choirs they formed a massed choir of almost 800 voices.

Choristers came from all corners of the UK, Norway, Sweden, Hong Kong and Australia to support this, the 27th, festival hosted by London Welsh Male Voice Choir. For almost eighteen months choristers had been learning the 17 song repertoire, 8 in Welsh – no small feat for a choir with only 6 native Welsh speakers!

However, their diligence and hard work culminated in a fabulous concert performance. For this, the choir must thank their superb music team; Lewis Hutton MD, Allan Waters Deputy MD and Ben Pinnow Accompanist for preparing them so well. After a long and exhausting afternoon rehearsal, the massed choirs took the stage to a rousing welcome from the capacity audience that filled the arena.

Dr Edward Rhys-Harry MD brought all to their feet for the National Anthem and the domed roof of the famous hall visibly shook! Wonderful, booming Welsh favourites, Y Tangnefeddwyr, Deus Salutis (Llef), Bydd Myrdd o Ryfeddodau, Calon Lân and Rachie were interspersed with the intense feeling expressed in O Love and Myfanwy and the upbeat rhythm of the spiritual Ride the Chariot. However, most emotion was reserved for Don’t Go Chasing Shadows, composed by Edward Rhys-Harry as a commemoration to the Aberfan tragedy 60 years on.

Very few choristers or audience members were let with a dry eye. To close the evening, the great organ, played by Huw Williams, boomed out the opening cords of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and the 5000 plus voices erupted in a cacophony of sound and passion.

For those making their first appearance at this most famous venue it provided lasting memories, the following quotes indicating some of their feelings for the event and of being part of Monmouth Male Voice Choir: “It was a truly amazing experience from beginning to end! What a wonderful thing to be a part of such an incredible choir!”

As part of the weekend trip, the choir stopped off in Windsor, entertained the many tourists with a few songs outside the castle, visited the Houses of Parliament, where they were welcomed by local MP Catherine Fookes and enjoyed lunch near the River Thames at Henley.

It certainly had been an unforgettable weekend with Monmouth Male Voice Choir, once again, proving to be magnificent ambassadors for the town and local community.

The choir wish to thank all their sponsors, without whom this magical weekend would not have been possible: Barchesters Charitable Foundation, Blakemore Foundation, Clive Richards Foundation, Jason Edwards Travel, Marsh Charitable Trust, Oakdale Trust, Rotary Monmouth and Wye Valley Brewery