The
Cwmbach Male Choir was formed in 1921, and has survived to the
present day even though it was severely tested by periods of
hardship, depression and World War 2. During its 83 years it
has flourished and built up an enviable record of success in
competitions and concert performances.
Its success
in competition, particularly eisteddfodau, was established
in its early days. The first taste of success was second prize
at Treorchy in 1928, followed by Cardiff in 1938 and Ebbw
Vale in 1958. The first prize was ultimately achieved at Port
Talbot in 1966 and repeated in 1968 at Barry.
During
the 1950's, when the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl was a
highly prestigious event, Cwmbach Male Choir took first or
second prize in the Male Voice competitions almost every year.
In 1960 they won the Challenge Cup for an unprecedented third
time, while in 1962 became the first choir to achieve the
unique double of winning first prize in the Chief and Second
Male Voice competitions. After a long absence the Choir returned
to Porthcawl in 1998 and won the Chief Male competition in
its 50th year.
Although
in recent times the Choir has not been nearly as active in the
competitive arena, it was successful in taking First prize in
the Male Choir competition at the Limerick Festival of 1996
in Ireland. In 1997, the Choir took part in the International
Eisteddfod at Roodeporte, Johannesburg, South Africa where they
competed in the Folk Music Competition. They not only came fourth
out of seventeen strong groups but also were the highest placed
non-African competitor.
The
musical repertoire of the Choir is wide and varied. It includes
music for all tastes, ranging from operatic choruses, spirituals,
hymns, folk music and popular ballads. The Choir maintains the
great tradition of male singing by including the 'big guns'
of, 'Nidaros', 'Castilla', 'Comrades in Arms', etc., in its
programme. It also has an extensive range of religious music,
including major works such as the 'Cherubini Requiem Mass'.
The
Choir has had the privilege of sharing the concert platform
with some world famous artists, Paul Robeson, Sir Geraint
Evans, Stuart Burrows, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Constance Shacklock,
Patricia Kern and the internationally renowned guitarist
John Williams, to name but a few.
The
Halle Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony
Orchestra, the Black Dykes Mills Band, the Band of the Welsh
Guards and the South African Naval Band are examples of the
well-known orchestras and bands with which the Choir has worked.
During
the last 40 years the Choir has travelled extensively both
nationally and internationally.
It has appeared at the Royal National Festival Hall, the Albert
Hall, the Barbican, the National Exhibition Centre, St. David's
Hall and at numerous Cathedrals throughout the British Isles.
The
Choir's first visit abroad in 1961, was by invitation to take
part in the Bela Bartok Festival at Debrecen in Hungary. They
were the first Welsh choir to sing behind the 'Iron Curtain'
and the impression created resulted in a further invitation
in 1978 and again in 1986 for the Festival's 25th Anniversary
where they reached the final of the competition.
Since
1961 the Choir has visited and performed in France, Belgium,
Holland, Germany, Ireland and Spain. Inter-continental travel
commenced in 1990 with a tour of Ontario, Canada repeated
in 1995. In autumn, 1997 a concert tour of Johannesburg and
Capetown, South Africa took place. In 2001 the Choir returned
to Canada, but this time to Vancouver and Vancouver Island
in British Columbia, for what was, according to press adulation,
probably their most successful tour ever. In 2002 the Choir
represented Wales at the Interceltique Festival held in Lorient
Brittany, in 2003 undertook a short tour of Jersey and in
2004 visited Malta and Gozo where they were very well received
being the first Welsh choir to visit Gozo.
The Choir
has produced a number of records, cassette tapes and CD's.
For the first occasion of the World Choir performance at the
National Stadium in Cardiff, Dr. Owain Arwel Hughes invited
Cwmbach Male Choir to make a cassette which was sent to choirs
all over the world as their learning tape in preparation for
the 10,000 Voice Concert in 1992.
Cwmbach
Male Choir was also the first choir invited by the Welsh
Rugby Union to perform at the famous Arms Park, to entertain
the crowd and lead the singing prior to an International
rugby match, and it was again invited to perform at the
International between Wales and Ireland in March 2005
when Wales won the Grand Slam.
In
1996 the Choir celebrated its 75th Anniversary. It performed
23 concerts during the year, the highlight being the Gala Concert
given at St. David's Hall, Cardiff when the Choir was joined
by the renowned Italian soprano, Nuccia Focile, and the Internationally
famous baritone, Jason Howard.
Since
inception the Choir has upheld the tradition of Male Voice
singing in the Cynon Valley and further afield. It is the
fervent hope of the present Choristers that the high standard,
which has been set and maintained during the Choir's long
existence, will continue well into the future.
