Saturday 14 December : Caer Beris Christmas Afternoon Tea
The Choir entertained guests enjoying a Christmas Afternoon Tea at Caer Beris Manor Hotel on Saturday 14 December. The Choir sang two sets of songs interspersed with Christmas Carols in which the guests joined in. Following their performance at Caer Beris the Choir visited Brynhyfryd Care Home to entertain the residents.
Monday 25 November : Royal Welsh 30th Winter Fair 2019
The Choir sang at the Royal Welsh 30th Winter Fair 2019 in the Welcome Centre. The Choir entertained a large number of visitors with two sets of songs.
Saturday 23 November : Christmas Fair at the Strand Hall, Builth Wells
The Choir entertained visitors to the Christmas Fair at the Strand Hall, Builth Wells on Saturday 23 November
Saturday 16 November : Concert at Mid Wales Pavilion
Builth Male Voice Choir & Rhayader and District Male Voice Choir joined forces to perform together in a concert at Mid Wales Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells organised by the Friends of Ysgol Calon Cymru and Friends of Cefnllys School.
There was praise from members of the audience for the sound produced by the joint male voice choirs – “as good as any of the large South Wales Choirs!”. The concert also featured Ysgol Calon Cymru (Llandrindod Campus) choir, soloists Cari Finucane and Lauren Taylor of Ysgol Calon Cymru, Cefnllys Choir and soprano soloist Sarah Powell accompanied by her sister Laura on Piano.
The Concert was a great success with event raising £2,757.70 to be shared between Ysgol Calon Cymru and Cefnllys School.
50 Years Membership
To mark 50 years membership of Builth Male Voice Choir top tenor Glyn Powell was presented with a commemorative tie by Choir President Jim Evans accompanied by Chairman Derek Hope at a recent choir practice.
Saturday 5 October : Concert at Strand Hall
Owen Money & The Travelling Wrinklies
Merthyr’s own, Owen Money, came to Strand Hall on 5th October to entertain the choir and supporters. During the first half Owen, dressed head to toe in flamboyant pink, combined sixties hits with jokes and stories of his days in the entertainment business. He was well supported by his four piece band and his daughter Katie whose very powerful voice sang hits by stars such as Cher and Ella Fitzgerald.
For the second half Owen dressed more soberly in navy blue to tell us more about his days on the road in the early sixties, touring with The Bystanders and performing alongside groups such as The Hollies. The Bystanders signed a recording contract with Pye who would not agree to recording a song that Owen thought would be a hit. Two years later The Hollies recorded this same song as a single which sold 85 million.
Many thanks to the choir’s Supporters Group for putting on this highly entertaining evening which was full of laughter and hit songs which brought back memories of the fast growing pop world of fifty years ago.
Friday 4 October : Concert at Erwood Market Hall
It may have been 7 years since last the choir sang at Erwood Market Hall, but we received a wonderful reception from the audience. Sincere thanks to our guest accompanist, Bethan Rees, who also accompanied the soloist for the evening, Arwyn Morgans. Diolch yn fawr iawn i ti Bethan, am gyfeilio mor gwych !
Thanks too to David Power, who acted as MC in his own inimitable way. A lovely evening rounded off with great refreshments . Thanks one and all.
Sunday 29 September : Concert at Welshpool Methodist Church
The Choir was invited to perform a concert at the Methodist Church to conclude the Welshpool 1940’s Weekend. The choir travelled by coach to Welshpool and were joined by Holly Richards, talented young soprano soloist from Llandegley, who contributed a lovely contrasting set of songs in the concert. The choir sang We will be singing : With a Voice of Singing – My Lord What a Mornin’ – Amen / Hallelujah – Pacem – Still as the Night – Gwahoddiad / Pan fo’r Nos – Hafan Gobaith – O Gymru / Unchained Melody – The Water is Wide – Bring Him Home – We Rise Again Encore : Speed Your Journey. The concert concluded with the audience joining singing in both national anthems.
Sunday 15 September : Choir Walk
BBC 1 Monday 9 September 12.15pm – BARGAIN HUNT
Charlie Ross joins Builth Male Voice Choir while bargain hunting in Builth Wells. Meanwhile, experts Richard Madley and Kate Bliss are on hand to help the reds and blues find items that are going for a song.
Click for link to Clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07mf07v
Thursday 22 August : Metropole Hotel Concert
The Choir once again performed for guests from The Great Rail Tours who were staying at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells on their visit to Wales. Adrian Morgan conducted and introduced all the songs with Ann Bufton as accompanist. The audience, thoroughly enjoyed the Choir’s performance and many bought CDs as mementos after the concert.
Saturday 17 August : Llanhamlach Church
The Choir was pleased to be part of Laura and Jonny’s summer wedding at Llanhamlach Church on a bright sunny day. The Choir sang for guests prior to the wedding service and during the delightful wedding ceremony.
Photographer: Steve Wheller / Art by Design Photography – http://www.artbydesignphotography.co.uk
Sunday 28 July : Acton Scott Concert
A marquee in Acton Scott, the Shropshire village made famous by its historic Working Farm Museum, was the venue for a concert organised to raise funds for the local Church of St Margaret. The Choir traveled by coach accompanied by a large number of supporters who swelled the audience. The choir sang – When the saints – Hafan Gobaith – Bring him home – Hallelujah – O Gymru – The water is wide – Gwahoddiad – With a voice of singing – The Prayer – Amen – Pan fo’r nos yn hir – Speed your journey – Pacem – We Rise Again with the audience demanding two encores – Morte Christe & Rachie
Monday 22 July : Royal Welsh Show
TV CREWS VIE FOR BUILTH MALE VOICE CHOIR
Builth Male Voice Choir was in demand this year on the first day of the 100th Royal Welsh Show. The choir sang “We Rise Again” which was recorded by ITV’s Coast & Country crew for broadcast on 24th July.
Later S4C transmitted the wedding of the lucky couple that had won a competition to be the first to tie the knot at the show. The choir sang “You are So Beautiful” “The Water is wide” “Let it be me” and “Unchained Melody” to Arwel and Bethan Edwards while the ceremony took place in the bandstand.
Musical Director Adrian Morgan, Matt Baker, Angelica Bell, Accompanist Ann Bufton, Michael Sheen and members of Builth Male Voice Choir after transmission of The One Show at the Royal Welsh Show
Later in the day the choir sang “Still as the Night” live for the BBC One Show as Arwel and Bethan took their first dance together following an interview with actor Michael Sheen and presenters Matt Baker and Angellica Bell.
The choir members were very appreciative of the effort made by Musical Director Adrian Morgan and Accompanist Ann Bufton to overcome the difficulties of singing outdoors.
Friday 5 July : Dolau Community Hall Concert
A large international audience attended the Summer Concert at Dolau Community Hall. Over 40 visitors from Llandrindod Wells’s twin towns of Contrexeville (France) & Bad Rappenau (Germany) were in the packed audience for a concert supported by the Dolau Mixtures Choir and local soprano Nia Thomas. The European visitors thoroughly enjoyed the concert and listening to Welsh Male Voice Choir.
Builth Male Voice Choir with Dolau Mixtures Choir & soloist Nia Thomas in the finale of the summer Concert at Dolau Community Hall
Saturday 8 June : Brecon Military Show, Dering Lines, Brecon
The Choir performed two sets of songs to entertain visitors at the Brecon Military Show, Dering Lines, Brecon. Singing outside on a cold and windy parade ground proved a challenge which the Choir ably overcame. Adrian Morgan (conductor and musical director) and guest accompanist Bethan Rees held the choir together despite music sheets blowing away in the wind and the small appreciative audience were full of compliments for the performance.
Conductor Adrian Morgan and guest accompanist Bethan Rees with Choir members following the performance at the Brecon Military Show
The event started with a very impressive marching parade by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Choir followed with the first set :- Stout hearted men – Pan fo’r Nos – Yfory – Unchained Melody – The Prayer – Gwahoddiad – Rachie. The second set was performed later in the afternoon comprising :- When the saints – Hallelujah – Calon Lan – Hafan Gobaith – We rise again – Amen – American Trilogy
Saturday 18 May : Rorkes Drift Rally, Brecon
The Choir once again performed at the annual Rorke’s Drift Rally in Brecon. Adrian Morgan was the conductor and Ann Bufton was the accompanist for a programme of stirring songs that entertained a noisy and appreciative audience. Prior to the concert a wedding ceremony took place when a couple, who had been engaged at the Rally in 2018, became husband and wife. The wedding party and guests took pride of place in the front rows of the audience and the Choir gave a specially requested performance of Unchained Melody for the newly weds.
The Choir sang two sets of music culminating in a rousing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Members of the audience were vociferous in their praise of the Choir including Marcia from Wiltshire who said it was her first experience of listening to a Welsh Male Voice Choir which had been very moving. She was looking forward to hearing Builth Male Voice Choir again. Following the Choir’s singing there was a call for Top Tenor Bruce Watkins to once again recite the poem celebrating the Battle of Rorke’s Drift which was listened to by a hushed audience and culminated in a standing ovation.
Saturday 4 May : Bargain Hunt at The Royal Welsh Showground
The Choir has been invited by the producers of BBC’s Bargain Hunt to take part in a programme being filmed at The International Antiques & Collectors Fair of Wales on the Royal Welsh Showground. The occasion enabled antiques expert Charlie Ross to join the bass section of the Choir in a rousing rendition of O Gymru
Antique expert Charlie Ross with accompanist Ann Bufton, Musical Director Adrian Morgan and members of builth Male Voice Choir
Charlie Ross checking his words before joining the bass section for O Gymru
The show will be televised at 12.15pm on Monday 9 September 2019.
Sunday 12 May : Bingo Night for Cancer Research UK
Friday 26 April : Spring Concert at Holy Trinity, Llandrindod Wells
Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Association organised a Spring Concert in Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells to raise funds to support a youth group of footballers who will be travelling to Bad Rappenau, Germany in August 2019. Builth Male Voice Choir performed its first concert under the baton of recently appointed new Musical Director, Adrian Morgan and shared the stage with the Dolau Mixtures conducted by Catherine O’Rourke. Keen eyed members of the audience noticed that the Dolau Mixtures included a tenor and bass member from Builth MVC which required quick changes of ties during the concert.
Adrian Morgan conducting in his first concert as Musical Director of Builth MVC
The large audience of over 100 people were very appreciative of Builth Choir’s selection of songs which started with Prysgol and finished with a rousing rendition of We Rise Again. Joyce Hope (Vice-Chair of Llandrindod Twinning and wife of Derek Hope, BMVC Chairman) gave a vote of thanks and presented gifts to Adrian Morgan and accompanist Ann Bufton. The event raised approximately £800 towards the Twinning Association’s efforts to support the upcoming youth visit to Germany.
Llandrindod Community Charity Shop Sale 27 April – 4 May 2019
Builth Male Voice Choir held a very successful sale at Llandrindod Charity Shop from 27 April – 4 May 2019 to raise funds to support the Choir. Chairman Derek Hope thanked everyone who had generously given goods for the sale and all the choir members and their partners who had helped to man the shop and make the week’s activity so successful.
Thanks to the team who set up Llandrindod Community Charity ready for the fundraising sale.
The Choir will be holding another fundraising sale a the Llandrindod Wells Community Charity Shop in 2020 from 5 – 12 September 2020.
Monday 5 March : Presentation to Bob Jones
Bob Jones, longstanding Treasurer of Builth Male Voice Choir, was presented with a canvas photograph commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Choir in recognition of his many years service to the Choir.
Chairman Derek Hope & Committee Member Trevor Morgan presenting Bob Jones with a 50th Anniversary commemorative photograph of Builth Male Voice Choir as a gift in recognition of his long service as Treasurer of the Choir
Saturday 2 March : St David’s Day Concert Strand Hall
THANK YOU FOR 48 YEARS OF MUSIC
On 2nd March, for the second year running, Builth Male Voice Choir held its annual St David’s Day concert at the Strand Hall in Builth. This year however was the last concert to be led by their Musical Director Luned Jones. The concert was therefore a special one both for the choir and for Luned. Originally from Llanelli, Luned took on the role of Musical Director in 1985 having been accompanist previously and thereby giving 48 years unstinting service to the choir. Chairman Derek Hope presented Luned with a Welsh Royal Crystal decanter as a token of appreciation for all the music leadership she has given to the choristers. Megan Jones on behalf of the Male Voice Choir Supporters also presented Luned with a bouquet. Luned’s husband Bob has also now retired from the role of Treasurer which he has held for 35 years. He later received a painting of the choir in gratitude. The choir’s Assistant MD Adrian Morgan has now taken over the challenging role of Musical Director.
Musical Director Luned Jones singing the solo in “Ai Am Fod Haul yn Machlud” at her last concert conducting Builth Male Voice Choir at the St David’s Day Concert in the Strand Hall Builth Wells
The concert provided a very varied programme. The men’s choir was supported by Builth Ladies Choir who gave a sparkling performance with songs such as Calon Lan and Hail Holy Queen. Ysgol Calon Cymru provided a melodious vocal ensemble singing Lawr ar Lan Y Mor plus a cello and vocal solo. In addition South Powys Youth Music played with great virtuosity led by their Musical Director Tim Cronin in songs such as Shenandoah and Fiddlers Day which certainly went with a swing. One of the young musicians was in fact Luned and Bob’s granddaughter. All the proceeds from the concert were being donated to SPYM.
The musical highlight of the evening was the young tenor soloist Robert Lewis, originally from Llanfyllin but now based in London. He delighted the audience with his powerful renditions of songs such as Bugail Aberdyfi and Puccini’s Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme. Luned then conducted her final performance with the choir which included singing the solo in Ai Am Fod Haul yn Machlud (Is it Because The Sun is Setting).The concert concluded with a joint performance of O Gymry by Robert and the men’s choir followed by a rousing performance of Hafan Gobaith with the combined Builth choirs.
Chairman Derek Hope presenting a Welsh Royal Crystal decanter to Luned Jones as a mark of appreciation for her long service as Musical Director of Builth Male Voice Choir
Adrian Morgan taking a bow after conducting Builth Male Voice Choir and Builth Wells Ladies Choir in a performance of Hafan Gobaith
Megan Jones on behalf of the Supporter’s Group presenting a bouquet to Luned Jones
Sunday 17 February : Wedding Fayre at Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
Choir members promoted Builth Male Voice Choir at the Spring Wedding Fayre at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells on Sunday 17 February. The Choir performed a set of romantic songs to entertain the visitors conducted by Adrian Morgan with accompaniment by Ann Bufton. A number of prospective brides and grooms made enquiries at the stand taking away Information leaflets and expressing an interest to invite the Choir to be part of their wedding plans.
Derek Hope (Chairman), John Carruthers (Events Manager), Ann Bufton (Accompanist) and Adrian Morgan (Conductor) at the Choir’s Stand following a short concert at the Spring Wedding Fayre at the Metropole Hotel Llandrindod Wells
Builth Male Voice Choir - Côr Meibion Llanfair-ym-Muallt 