Côr Meibion Pontypridd
Encyclopedia
Côr Meibion Pontypridd is a Welsh
male voice choir from the Pontypridd
area of the South Wales Valleys
in the United Kingdom
.
The choir performs frequently both in Pontypridd and overseas, and has visited Poland
, Ireland
, the USA and Germany
. Links have been forged with Liederkranz Oberensingen, a German male choir from Pontypridd's twin town, Nürtingen
.
The choir also performs regularly at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
and takes part in the HTV
male choral competition. The choir is currently broadening and improving its repertoire to provide a wide-ranging concert
program.
The choir is a member of the National Association of Choirs, the Welsh Association of Male Choirs and the Welsh Amateur Music Federation, and is a past winner of the HTV Male Choral Competition and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
.
and Miss Agnes Wilson accompanist.
The first concert was performed in June 1950. The following year the choir started entering competitions, and were awarded first prize at the Llanharan
"Semi National" Eisteddfod, and were again placed first two weeks later at Glynneath
.
The choir were much involved in celebrations of the centenary of the composition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
and the bicentenary of the Old Bridge, Pontypridd
.
Stuart Burrows
was the guest artiste at a concert in 1959, and in the same year Harry Secombe
and Geraint Evans
appeared together for the first time, with W.J. Evans (Geraint's father) conducting the choir.
Joyce Durston was appointed musical director in 1964 and Dorothy Ingram (née Davies) was appointed accompanist. The same year the choir visited Germany as guests of the Liederkranz Oberensingen and this visit turned out to be the start of an on-going friendship; the following year the Liederkranz made a return visit to Pontypridd.
In 1966 the choir came second in the National Eisteddfod of Wales
at Newtown.
1970 was the 21st birthday of the choir and a celebration dinner was arranged with patrons Sir Geraint Evans and Stuart Burrows, together with president P. Raymond Jones and many vice presidents and civic dignitaries attending.
1973 saw the choir take part in the H.T.V. Male Choral Competition. Twelve choirs were in the opening knock-out round and the finalists were Cwmbach
and Pontypridd. In the final in the H.T.V. Studios, Pontypridd emerged as clear winners.
In 1974 the choir won the National Eisteddfod of Wales
for the first time.
In 1975 a Polish choir, "Zzk Henjau", visited Pontypridd. Pontypridd choir visited Poland in 1976 as guests of "Zzk Henjau".
In 1977 Dorothy Davies Ingram became musical director and Jonathan Gulliford joined as accompanist. The choir won the Knight of St. David Memorial Bowl at the Rhymney Valley
Eisteddfod, and retained it the following year.
In 1989 Ingram became the first woman to conduct the 1,000 voices in the Royal Albert Hall
and after 11 years as conductor to Côr Meibion Pontypridd, changed her role to become deputy conductor and accompanist, with Jonathan Gulliford taking up the position of director of music.
The John Tree Award scheme, made possible by the generosity of R.T.J. Tree, choir president, was launched in 1991. The objective of the scheme is to forge links between local schools and the choir. Annual prizes are awarded to outstanding musicians/singers at Pontypridd schools. Award winners take part in the choir's annual celebrity concert.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
male voice choir from the Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
area of the South Wales Valleys
South Wales Valleys
The South Wales Valleys are a number of industrialised valleys in South Wales, stretching from eastern Carmarthenshire in the west to western Monmouthshire in the east and from the Heads of the Valleys in the north to the lower-lying, pastoral country of the Vale of Glamorgan and the coastal plain...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Background
Côr Meibion Pontypridd (Pontypridd Male Choir; the name means Choir of the Sons of Pontypridd) was formed in 1949 for traditional Welsh singing.The choir performs frequently both in Pontypridd and overseas, and has visited Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the USA and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Links have been forged with Liederkranz Oberensingen, a German male choir from Pontypridd's twin town, Nürtingen
Nürtingen
Nürtingen is a town in the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is located on the river Neckar.-History:The following events occurred, by year:*1046 : First mention of Niuritingin in the document of Speyer...
.
The choir also performs regularly at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
and takes part in the HTV
HTV
HTV, now legally known as ITV Wales & West, is the ITV contractor for Wales and the West of England, which operated from studios in Cardiff and Bristol. The company provided commercial television for the dual-region 'Wales and West' franchise, which it won from TWW in 1968...
male choral competition. The choir is currently broadening and improving its repertoire to provide a wide-ranging concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
program.
The choir is a member of the National Association of Choirs, the Welsh Association of Male Choirs and the Welsh Amateur Music Federation, and is a past winner of the HTV Male Choral Competition and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
.
History
The choir was formed on 29 November 1949 by a group of 19 choristers under the name of "The Pontypridd Educational Settlement Male Choir". Gwilym T Jones was appointed conductorConducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and Miss Agnes Wilson accompanist.
The first concert was performed in June 1950. The following year the choir started entering competitions, and were awarded first prize at the Llanharan
Llanharan
Llanharan is a small village in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Llanharan thrived during the British industrial revolution, with several tin and coal mines in the location providing employment to the town's residents...
"Semi National" Eisteddfod, and were again placed first two weeks later at Glynneath
Glynneath
Glynneath , also spelt Glyn Neath, is a small town, community and electoral ward lying on the River Neath in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It was formerly in the historic county of Glamorgan...
.
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales. The title – taken from the first words of the song – means "Old Land of My Fathers", usually rendered in English as simply "Land of My Fathers". The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, both residents...
and the bicentenary of the Old Bridge, Pontypridd
Old Bridge, Pontypridd
The Old Bridge , which is now also known as the William Edwards Bridge or Pontypridd Bridge, was originally known as the New Bridge or Newbridge, it is an arched single-span footbridge that spans the River Taff at Pontypridd in Wales. The bridge was built by William Edwards and was completed in 1756...
.
Stuart Burrows
Stuart Burrows
Stuart Burrows - OBE is a Welsh operatic tenor.-Biography:The Cilfynydd-born singer scaled the peaks of musical distinction during his lengthy career which saw him give up teaching to pursue a new life on the opera stage...
was the guest artiste at a concert in 1959, and in the same year Harry Secombe
Harry Secombe
Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
and Geraint Evans
Geraint Evans
Sir Geraint Llewellyn Evans was a Welsh baritone or bass-baritone noted for operatic roles including Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and the title roles in Falstaff and Wozzeck...
appeared together for the first time, with W.J. Evans (Geraint's father) conducting the choir.
Joyce Durston was appointed musical director in 1964 and Dorothy Ingram (née Davies) was appointed accompanist. The same year the choir visited Germany as guests of the Liederkranz Oberensingen and this visit turned out to be the start of an on-going friendship; the following year the Liederkranz made a return visit to Pontypridd.
In 1966 the choir came second in the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
at Newtown.
1970 was the 21st birthday of the choir and a celebration dinner was arranged with patrons Sir Geraint Evans and Stuart Burrows, together with president P. Raymond Jones and many vice presidents and civic dignitaries attending.
1973 saw the choir take part in the H.T.V. Male Choral Competition. Twelve choirs were in the opening knock-out round and the finalists were Cwmbach
Cwmbach
Cwmbach is a village and community near Aberdare, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, United Kingdom. Cwmbach has a population of 4,283. Cwmbach means 'Little Valley' in Welsh...
and Pontypridd. In the final in the H.T.V. Studios, Pontypridd emerged as clear winners.
In 1974 the choir won the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
for the first time.
In 1975 a Polish choir, "Zzk Henjau", visited Pontypridd. Pontypridd choir visited Poland in 1976 as guests of "Zzk Henjau".
In 1977 Dorothy Davies Ingram became musical director and Jonathan Gulliford joined as accompanist. The choir won the Knight of St. David Memorial Bowl at the Rhymney Valley
Rhymney Valley
The Rhymney Valley is a valley encompassing the villages of Abertysswg, Fochriw, Pontlottyn, Tirphil, New Tredegar, Aberbargoed, Rhymney, and Ystrad Mynach, and the towns of Bargoed and Caerphilly, in south-east Wales, formerly famous for its coal mining and iron industries.-Geography:Created as a...
Eisteddfod, and retained it the following year.
In 1989 Ingram became the first woman to conduct the 1,000 voices in the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
and after 11 years as conductor to Côr Meibion Pontypridd, changed her role to become deputy conductor and accompanist, with Jonathan Gulliford taking up the position of director of music.
The John Tree Award scheme, made possible by the generosity of R.T.J. Tree, choir president, was launched in 1991. The objective of the scheme is to forge links between local schools and the choir. Annual prizes are awarded to outstanding musicians/singers at Pontypridd schools. Award winners take part in the choir's annual celebrity concert.
External links
- Côr Meibion Pontypridd: Official Côr Meibion Pontypridd web site
- Côr Meibion Pontypridd Twitter page (@PontypriddMVC): Côr Meibion Pontypridd Twitter Page!
- National Association of Choirs: National Association of Choirs web site
- The Welsh Association of Male Choirs
- The Welsh Amateur Music Federation
- malevoicechoir.net: malevoicechoir.net choir Profile
- Rhondda Cynon Taff: Rhondda Cynon Taf web site
- Liederkranz Oberensingen: Liederkranz Oberensingen web site
- Welsh National Anthem: Côr Meibion Pontypridd sings The Welsh National Anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau / Land of My Fathers)