Cwmbach Choir at Staple Hill Methodist Church Bristol

Last Saturday (10/06/2023) saw us return to one of our favourite venues, Staple Hill Methodist Methodist Church and what a welcome return it was.

We set out from Aberdare at 4pm in high spirits with everyone on the coach bristling with excitement for the upcoming performance. On arrival at the church we quickly regrouped in order to set up and sound check alongside our guest solo performer Gareth Blake before the audience arrived.

As usual the concert was well attended and the audience were very welcoming, listening intently to every bar and responding with appreciation and enthusiasm at all times. They were truly wonderful.

Our set included traditional welsh songs O Gymru, Myfanwy, and Tydi a Roddaist (whos final Amen took the roof off) as well as more contemporary songs like You’ll never Walk Alone, World in Union and This is the Moment to name but a few.

The audience were equally as appreciative for Gareths solo spots. Consisting of a solo set on cello in the first half and then singing a few songs on his own in the second half (Old Man River being a particular favourite), his beautiful, rich, bass tones resonated throughout the room and gave you goosebumps.

An incredible concert indeed.

And it didn’t stop there!

Fired up and wanting to carry on we moved ourselves to the pub opposite where the afterglow (informal singing that takes place in a pub after the concert) took place with much gusto.

The pub was entertained with a selection of old favourites from Tom Jones to the Beach Boys and we even did a few requests to rapturous applause and cheers from the pubs customers.

Not a night we’ll forget in a hurry and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.


Rob Davies
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Rob Davies
The Barbados Celtic Festival

Members of Cwmbach Male Choir joined members from Pelenna Valley Male Choir and Cwmdare Voices Male Choir to make up Côr Caru B (The Choir that loves Barbados) to perform at the Barbados Celtic Festival.

The Barbados Celtic Festival has enjoyed a great variety of performers from around the World taking part in many different events.  Pipe band displays, folk music concerts, Scottish and Irish dancing and of course male voice choirs to watch and join in with.

It really was a rich cultural exchange of music and food between the wonderful Bajans with their rich Celtic history, and current music from around the world.

Led by our esteemed musical director Mike Thomas we sung at a number of events in all sorts of venues taking Welsh choral music to the heart of the Caribbean.

We can’t wait for next years now.

Rob Davies
Dr Mike Thomas MBE

Congratulations to our Musical Director Dr Mike Thomas MBE, honoured in the Kings' New Year Honours for services to Welsh male voice choirs in the Pelenna valley and Cynon Valey

A very well deserved award to the most dedicated of musical directors whose tireless and selfless work for choral music has rightly been recognised.. well done Mike...we are all very proud of you !!

Rob DaviesComment
What a way to start the next 100 years

Just days after the conclusion of our Centenary year the Choir had the most incredible experience, opening the Stereophonics homecoming concert at The Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Following Tom Jones - yes THAT Tom Jones - on stage we sang our hearts out along with 65,000 passionate fans. We’ll keep Welcome went down well but our National Anthem blew the roof off. We played both nights and the concert is available on BBC2 iplayer. You can view all the photos, videos and comments on our Facebook page

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61850992

Rob Davies Comment
Heritage Documentary now available on YouTube

At long last you can now view our centenary documentary for free on YouTube. The short film narrated by Roy Noble tells the history of the last 100 years of the choir. The DVD containing bonus extra footage can be purchased via the shop tab.



Rob Davies