neath male choir
 

Originally formed in 1978 as the Melincryddan Male Voice choir, the name was changed in 2000 to reflect the wider spread of choristers from the Neath area. Since the name change and under the baton of Musical Director Huw Smitham the choir has expanded from 40 members to the present roll call of 75.

[Group Photo of Neath Male Voice Choir]

In maintaining the traditions of Welsh male choral activity the choir has performed in many venues in the UK and abroad and with many well known artistes whilst remaining true to the heritage of amateurs singing simply for the love of the music and to bring to its audiences that shared experience which only live performances can engender. Tours have been made to Belgium, Canada, Holland, Germany, Spain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland whilst in the UK we have performed in such varied venues as The Royal Albert Hall, the Symphony Hall in Birmingham, The De Mountfort Hall, Leicester, the Ulster Hall, Belfast, Lichfield Cathedral, York Minster, Chichester Cathedral, St. David's Hall, Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

In addition to the usual concert format the choir has had some interesting experiences. These include performing in a feature length film entitled 'Reaching Higher' which was screened on B.B.C. television; recording a version of a television advertisement for an iconic Irish Bakery (Pat the Baker) and being filmed in rehearsal and travelling to Ireland to perform the item at The Flat Lake Festival in County Monaghan; performing in a barn in Clun, Mid Wales and entertaining the crowd before a Max Boyce concert at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The choir has appeared in concerts and events with such well known celebrities as Bryn Terfel, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Della Jones, Peter Carrie and Richard Allen. We take greatest pride, however, in having had the privilege to share a stage with Neath's own Katherine Jenkins and Gail Pearson who have both delighted us by agreeing to be Vice-Presidents of the choir. We have also appeared with Katherine on a BBC television 'Songs of Praise' special. We are extremely proud of these talented ladies.

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