THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO CAME TO OUR CONCERTS IN 2023. YOUR GENEROSITY KEEPS OUR CHOIR ALIVE AND RAISES MONIES FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL CHARITIES.
We are indebted to our Patron, Lord Bathhurst, to St James’ Place and to Lewington Wealth Management for their generous support.
JULY CONCERT IN THE HEART OF THE LAND OF SONG
We are so proud to be joining two fabulous Welsh Choirs in Gorseinon, Swansea, for a concert on July 6th.
We are guests of the superb women’s choir Parti Llwchwr, who mightily impressed the audience at our concert on Cheltenham. Formed in 1955 by the late Mrs Myra Rees, it has enjoyed considerable recognition and acclaim.
They have won numerous prizes at the National and other Eisteddfodau and at Cerdd Dant Festivals. It has performed regularly in concerts, on television and on radio. Parti Llwchwr has won the ladies choir section and, in the final, won the ‘Viewers Prize’ at the Côr Cymru. They have twice performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
They are joined by the Morriston RFC Male Choir is one of the youngest premier Welsh Male Choirs, with a hard-earned reputation for a very high standard of performance. Formed in 1979 by twelve members of Morriston Rugby Club the choir soon developed into an accomplished force that is now sixty strong. They have performed several times at the Royal Albert and were invited to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, singing the theme song “World In Union” with Bryn Terfel and Shirley Bassey.
In 2016 the Choir won 1st Prize at the Aberteifi Eisteddfod.
HIGH PRAISE FOR THE CHOIR AT THE WORLD’S BIGGEST MALE CHORAL FESTIVAL
In our first ever competition in the glorious surroundings of Truro Cathedral the choir went up against voices from across the globe and won strong praise for a panel of international judges.
The Cornwall International Male Choral Festival is the largest of its kind with more than 50 choirs taking part in concerts across the county over four days.
Singing three entries – Linden Lea, I Believe and Rhythm of Life the CMVC were praised for great dynamics, good contrast and great vocal technique.
The judges highlighted a nice blended sound, with good intonation and committed, heartfelt singing and very strong diction. Overall it was a performance of great communication, with intense delivery and a dynamic crescendo.
The comments delighted us, but sadly it wasn’t enough. With a total of 85 points out of 100 we lost out to Synergy, a four part close harmony acapella choir from Abergavenny in South Wales, who scored 89 points. So near but so far!
“It is the first time that we have entered a competition and to come so close to the top prize was quite an inspiring achievement,” said Choir Chairman Mark Pratley.
“CIMCF is a wonderful and fun event that allows us to perform in beautiful venues to enthusiastic audience. We sang in Camborne, Truro, Redruth and Falmouth and although taking part in our first competition was a little daunting, we are proud of what we achieved. 85 out of 100 was quite impressive, but we have improved so much under the super leadership of James Willshire and Louise Matley. They have made such a difference to the way we sing.”
“We will be back.”
PLEASE JOIN US TO RAISE MONEY PEOPLE IN NEED
The Choir is led by Music Director, James Willshire and he is superbly supported by accompanist Louise Matley. James is internationally known as a pianist and educator, and Louise is a vastly experienced pianist, a former Head of Music and an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and examines any instrument up to diploma level all over the country. Their partnership is making rehearsal and performance a real joy.
LOOKING BACK ON A WONDERFUL YEAR OF HIGHLIGHTS
It was been a year of wonderful highlights and some emotional times as we enjoyed high fives and were honoured to be invited to perform at funerals for loved ones.
Our Christmas Concert was widely supported and the performances of our guests, the Willshire Piano Duo guaranteed success.
And another guest star who delighted was West End musical star Lucy May Barker, whose joie do vivre in singing with us in October genuinely had the audience swaying in the aisles with their arms in the air – and scoffing as a backing group of elderly gents accompanied her in ‘When I Grow Up’ from the musical ‘Matilda’.
Should we be doing a concert with music from the great musicals?
It also was our first attempt to introduce some Gloucestershire spirit as we performed the lovely ‘Linden Lea’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who was born in Down Ampney just five miles away from Cirencester.
We welcomed the award-winning choir, The Wessex, and the remarkable Parti Llwchwr ladies choir from South Wales. For a recap on the year ahead, and the dauting challenge of competing in the world’s largest male choral festival, read on.
Listen to some of our performance at the All Saints Church, Falmouth.
Let It Be Me
Speed Your Journey
American Trilogy