Popular choir strikes chord with Corus
08 Nov 2007
A Welsh male choir that is bucking the trend for falling membership and attracting some of the world’s leading guest artists has also found financial support from a local employer.
Port Talbot Cymric Male Choir’s annual concert this Saturday (November 10), which will feature celebrated local soprano Rebecca Evans, is being sponsored to the tune of £500 from Corus’s Community Assist Fund.
The highlight of the choir’s calendar is taking place at the Princess Royal Theatre Port Talbot and also includes Arwel Huw Morgan (bass), who has performed with distinction for many years with both the English and Welsh National Opera Companies.
“The Cymric, as they are affectionately known, are a family institution and not a group of individuals,” said Corus Community Spokesman Keith Farron. “They are ever willing to help a worthy cause, and over Christmas hold carol services at various homes for local senior citizens and the less fortunate.
“Corus is delighted to be able to in turn help out the choir by lending some support to their eagerly anticipated annual concert, which is always a huge success.”
Choir Secretary David Lewis said: “Without the help of Corus and the business community at large, we simply couldn’t afford to put on the concert. The choir is eternally grateful to Corus for their generous donation.”
The Cymric is one of the oldest choirs in Wales, having been established in 1911. In 1935, it was invited by newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst to sing at St Donat’s Castle in South Wales for celebrities of the film and newspaper world.
The choir performs for local, national and international charities, and over the past few years has raised significant funds for Save the Children, Breast Cancer, the Alzheimer’s Society, Diabetes Trust, the premature baby unit at Singleton Hospital, and many others.
“We’ve seen a gradual increase in choristers over the past couple of years and we now have a membership of some 50 choristers,” said David Lewis.
“Perhaps our tours, coupled with our excellent musical team, are responsible for our membership increasing yearly over the past few years - as opposed to most other choirs, which are regrettably seeing a decrease in recruiting new members.”
Tickets for Saturday’s concert are available from the theatre box office on 01639 763214, priced at £12, £7 and £5.
Any men interested in joining the choir should call in on one of its practice nights on Monday or Thursday evenings at the Arts Centre in Theodore Road, between 7.30 and 9pm. Alternatively, contact David Lewis on 01639 896747.
