The 2022 Annual Concert re-establishes an important and traditional date in the calendar of Morriston RFC Male Choir following the pandemic. 
We were delighted to welcome our guests artists for the evening “Athena” and Huw Euron. 

Three of Wales leading classical artists. Gwawr Edwards, Sioned Terry and Ellen Williams come together as harmonious trio “Athena” who sing operatic and filmic favorites to pop classics along with a few traditional Welsh favorites.
These glamorous ladies are familiar faces on Wales media and have performed in prestigious venues across the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, Brangwyn Hall and Wales Millennium Centre.
Unfortunately Gwawr was ill on the day so could not make it. (The choir give Gwawr their best wishes for a speedy recovery)

Huw Euron is a Cardiff born Bass soloist and professional actor and has stared in numerous television and film productions.
His work as a soloist has given him the opportunity to perform on many of the UK’s most prestigious stages and to record extensively for television and radio.
Huw has also been successful on the music stage and has won several national singing awards and has been a member of the “BRITS award-winning vocal group Only Men Aloud.

Caradog Williams is a vocal coach at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and freelance pianist. Accompanist for Huw Euron on the evening. Choirs will know Caradog as he was the official accompanist for the last four massed choral festivals of the Welsh Association of Male Voice Choirs at the Albert Hall.

Our compère for the evening was Garry Owen. Garry is one of the most familiar faces and voices in Wales, an award winning journalist with BBC Wales. He presents his own daily news lunchtime phone in programme, Tarro’r Post on BBC Radio Cymru and is part of the team of presenters on the BBC Wales today Television news programme. Garry is also in demand as a literature adjudicator at Eisteddfodau.
Garry carried off the evening with his usual charm.

A big THAK YOU to Musical Team for all their hard work in preparing us for this concert.
Musical Director D. Huw Rees BMu (Hons) PGCE and Assistant Musical Director Helen Wyn BMus(Hons),
Hywel Evans BMus(Hons) accompanist, : Rhiannon Pritchard BMus(Hons) Deputy Accompanist
and our Choir president Huw Tregelles Williams OBE DL BMus FRCO FRWCMD at the chapel’s organ, we sang 17 pieces from our repertoire.

First Half

Morriston RFC Male Choir
I bwy y perthyn mawl
Gwahoddiad
Cwm Rhondda

Huw Euron

Morriston RFC Male Choir
Glyn Rhosyn
Pure Imagination   arr: D Huw Rees
Tell My Father

ATHENA

Morriston RFC Male Choir
The Three Welsh Greats

Choir & Artists
You Never Walk Alone

Second Half

Morriston RFC Male Choir
Battle Hymn of the Republic

Choir & ATHENA
The Holy City

Huw Euron

Morriston RFC Male Choir
I Stood on the river of Jordan (Spiritual)
What I did for love  arr: D Huw Rees
Deus Salutis (Llef)

ATHENA

Choir & Artists
Anfonaf Angel
This is the Moment  arr: D Huw Rees

The concert also gave the choir the opportunity to recognise the long service of:
Gwyn Morgan.             40 years,
D. Huw Rees.(MD)      30 years. 
Norman James, Gerallt Davies, Tom John, Paran James. and John Fry.    25 years
Well done gentlemen for your service and dedication to the choir. Keep it going.

Thank you to our Honoured Guests for your continued valuable support. Your presence at the concert means so much to the choir.
Rt Worshipful Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea and Consort.
Councillor Mary Jones and Councillor Jeff Jones.
Mr Mike Hedges and Guest – Member of the Senedd.
Canon Jason Jones and Mihangel ap Rishart – Sacred Heart.
Parch Eirian Wyn – Seion Newydd.
Jacqualyn Box and Guest. – Tabernacle Chapel.
Cerith Owens and Susan Roberts – Loud Applause Rising Stars.
Mr Paul Reynolds and Guest – Welsh Association of Male Choirs.
Mr Michael Skone and Guest – Morriston Orpheus.
Anthony and Rhian Williams – Morriston Ladies Choir.
Mr Myrddin Rees.
David and Joan Evans.

 

What a special evening and will be remembered by all for a very long time.
Morriston RFC Male Choir hosted a special homecoming concert for the first time since early 2020. The choir members returned to their spiritual home of Tabernacle Chapel in Morriston, Swansea. Like all choirs, it has been seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns meant the members have not appeared in concert together since February 2020.
The choir lost a number of dedicated and faithful choristers during the pandemic and their friends and colleagues haven’t been able to recognise or pay tribute to their outstanding contribution. Our Together Again concert allowed members of the choir and the families of those choristers we have lost to come together to remember them. It also provided an opportunity for all those families in our community who tragically lost loved ones during the pandemic to come together to celebrate their lives.
It was fitting that the choir was joined by the “Morriston Hospital Emergency Department Choir”. Musical Director: Jonathan Lycett whose members have faced the most testing challenges of their career during the pandemic. We were honored to share the stage with them.
It was again a pleasure to listen to the up and coming young soloists: Lauren Elizabeth Williams (Soprano)
and Osian Clarke (Tenor)
Both members of Loud Applause Productions (LARS) who I am sure have a bright future.
We were delighted to have Cerith Owens as our capable compere for the evening. Well done Cerith – Diolch!
We would like to thank our honored guests for taking the time out of their busy schedules and hope to see them again.
H.M. Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.
Mrs Louise Fleet JP, accompanied by her husband Mr Gerald Fleet.

High Sheriff of West Glamorgan.
Joanna Jenkins MBE JP DL, accompanied by her husband Mr James Jenkins.

The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea.
Councilor Mary Jones, accompanied by her husband Mr Jeffrey Jones.

Member of the Senedd for Swansea East
Mike Hedges MS (AM), accompanied by his wife Anne Hedges.

First Half

Morriston RFC Male Choir
Gwahoddiad
I bwy y perthyn mawl

Lauren Elizabeth Williams (Soprano)
Ave Maria
Anfonaf Angel

Morriston Hospital ED Choir
You raise me up
Lean on me

Osian Clarke (Tenor)
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs and Empty Tables

Morriston RFC Male Choir
Tell My Father (Soloist: Huw Roberts)
Battle Hymn of the Republic (Soloist Huw Roberts)

Second Half

Morriston RFC Male Choir
Rachie
Pure Imagination
Unchained Melody

Osian Clarke (Tenor)
Ideale
Eryr Pengwern

Morriston Hospital ED Choir
I’ll be there
Ar hyd y nos

Lauren Elizabeth Williams (Soprano)
Wishing you were somehow here again
I dreamed a dream

Combined Choirs and Artists
One Voice
Anthem from Chess

A big THANK YOU must go to our Musical Staff: Musical Director: D. Huw Rees,
                                                                              Deputy Musical Director: Helen Wyn.
                                                                                                   Accompanist: Hywel Evans,
                                                                                     Deputy Accompanist: Rhiannon Pritchard
                                                                                                           Organist: Huw Tregelles Williams OBE
 They have kept the choir going through the pandemic with Zoom meetings every week, New music to learn and with their support and determination that the choir would survive and once again put on concert. And what a night it was.

                                                                                                     “WE ARE BACK”

Photographs and video’s of the evening can be found on our web site on the Flickr tab
or click link  flickr.com/photos/morristonrfcchoir/albums

 

In what has become an annual event we performed a Concert with Carols at St David’s Church, Penllergaer in aid of the restoration and upkeep of Penllergaer Valley Woods.
We enjoyed two captivating readings by Debra John taken from “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas.
Our MD. D.Huw Rees directed both Choir and audience in carols with the audience entering into the Christmas spirit.

We would like to thank The Friends of Penllergaer Valley Woods for inviting us back to the Llewelyn Hall for refreshments.

A fantastic night!

The Brangwyn Hall was packed for this 2019 Remembrance Day Concert and Service. This year the Host of the evening was Mr Robert Lloyd.
MRFCMC opened the Festival with “Tears in Heaven” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Followed by a medley of Vera Lynn’s Wartime Favorite Hits  from the City of Swansea Concert Band. The stage was filled by young singers from Swansea Music Children’s Choir singing “We are the Young”. It is wonderful to see all these young people coming to stage and performing.
Kirsten Orsborn “Royal British Legion Poppy Sweetheart” sang “When you are smiling”, “You are my World” and “Believe”
MRFCMC followed with “Tell My Farther” Soloist Huw Roberts. 
Swansea Music Youth Choir “Choirworks” sang “Cantique de Jean Racine Op.11” and “A Gaelic Blessing”.
Lauren Fisher from LARS also sang “Run”

The traditional service of remembrance was conducted by Cannon Ian Rees (Padre for the City of Swansea Branch of the Royal British Legion). The laying of the Wreath was made by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for West Glamorgan D.Byron Lewis CVO, KSTJ, FCA.
We thank organiser Phil Flower MBE, British Legion Community Fund Raiser for South Wales, for the opportunity to take part in the city’s tribute to the fallen of all conflicts.

Please see Sample Video Clip.

This year the Choir celebrated their 40th Anniversary. It was decided to celebrate this special occasion with a  concert at The Great Hall, University of Swansea. Wheels were put in motion which culminated in Guest Artistes BLAKE and Compere Sian LLoyd accepting our invitation to celebrate the evening with us to a sell out audience and what an evening it turned out to be.

BLAKE comprise of 3 young men who enthral fans the world over with their amazing singing, hit albums and charismatic stage presence and are renowned for performing classical and pop songs. With over a million albums sold, No 1 hits in ten countries and nearly 150 TV appearances around the globe, BLAKE continue to build their reputation as one of today’s most electric and exciting classical ‘crossover’ groups.

Sian Lloyd is a national TV presenter,experienced awards host and conference chair. A well-known journalist and broadcaster, Sian has presented Breakfast (BBC One). The news slot on Andrew Marr and is a correspondent for BBC network news and also works across other genres. Sian began her TV and Radio career in Wales presenting BBC Wales Today and the drive-time radio programme Good Evening Wales and still regularly works in radio, for Radio 4’s Today and PM programmes.

The First half of The Programme started off with our usual Congregational Hymn ‘Blaenwern’ (Calon Lan), followed by the Choir singing:
Gwahoddiad,
You Raise Me Up,
O Gymru (Soloist Huw Roberts)
 I Bwy Y Perthyn Mawl which was sung in the choir’s first Annual Concert.

Followed by BLAKE with their amazing singing off:
Somewhere,
She,
Casing Cars,
Maria,
Hallelujah,
Hymne a l’Amour.

Again the Choir with:
Tell My Father (Soloist Huw Roberts and Guest Violinist Claire Holt)
One Day I’ll Fly Away.
O Fab Y Dyn. (Arranged and Composed by a friend of the choir Eric Jones)

To end the first half. The Choir and BLAKE joined to sing:
You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Anthem From Chess.

The Second half started with:
Sanctus,
Mambo Italiano. (Guest Instrumentalist Richard Vaughn)

Followed by The Chairman’s Address and Presentation of Long Service Awards to those choristers who have served the choir for 40 years.
David Mathews, Morlais Williams, John Harris, Gerald Sandford, Haydn Madoc and Huw James.

The special award of Life Member was awarded to our Choir soloist Huw Roberts, a member of the Bass section who has been in the Choir for 36 years. He has served on the committee for over twenty years and has been the Choir Chairman on two occasions 2003 t0 2006 and 2015 to 2018 and is currently the Choir Marshal. A well deserved award.

Our congratulations to you all.

The next section was a tribute to the Choristers who are no longer with us. 
Anfonaf Angel. (Soloist Huw Roberts and Guest Violinist Claire Holt)
Tears In Heaven.   Arranged by our M.D. D.Huw Rees.
Music Of The Night.

BLAKE continued their second section with:
Nella Fantasia.
The Impossible Dream.
Bring Him Home.
Nessun Dorma
Time to say Goodbye.

Followed by the Choir singing:
Bui Doi. (arr: D. Huw Rees)
Diolch I’r Ior. (Soloist Huw Roberts)
This is the Moment. (arr: D. Huw Rees)

The Choir and BLAKE
One Voice. (arr: D. Huw Rees)

And to end the concert the congregation and Choir in: Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

Also thank you to our Guest Organist Huw Tregelles Williams OBE for his continued support throughout the evening.

Saturday 18th May 2019
36th Annual Concert, Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston
 
Our special guests for our 36th Annual Concert were Iona Jones, Soprano and Trystan Llyr Griffith, Tenor
Iona Jones is in frequent demand both on the concert platform and as an oratorio performer. As a guest soloist, Iona has toured extensively throughout Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand, appearing in such prestigious venues as the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall.
Welsh tenor Trystan Llyr Griffiths is quickly making his mark on the International Opera Stage, having worked with Opera National de Lorraine, Zurich Opera, Scotish Opera, Opera North and Welsh National Opera. We were thrilled when they both accepted out invitation to entertain us at our Annual Concert this year.
This year we also had a Guest Violinist Claire Holt who is an accomplished musician and experienced Instrumental teacher. Claire has gone on to complete tours of America and Scotland with the West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra. In 1977 Claire became a peripatetic teacher with the West Glamorgan Music Service (now Swansea Music Unit) and is also co-leader of a successful local children’s orchestra called Fiddlesticks.
With our Musical Director D. Huw Rees BMus (Hons) PGCE and Assistant Musical Director Helen Wyn BMus (Hons) conducting, Rhiannon Pritchard BMus (Hons) accompanist, and Clive Williams at the chapel’s organ, we sang 16 pieces from our repertoire, including “You raise me up” (violinist Claire Holt), “The Holy City” (soloist Iona Jones), “Anfonaf Angel” (soloist Huw Roberts) and “Tell my father” (soloist Huw Roberts, violinist Claire Holt) We also sang “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton which was arranged for us by our own MD. D.Huw Rees in memory of past choristers of MRFCMC.
A special mention to Clive Williams who was a late change to the programme. Clive very kindly and expertly stepped in to play the organ for us at very short notice and for Rhiannon who played the piano all evening for the Choir and Guests without a break.  The Choir and Musical staff thank you both.
A few words about our Choir Soloist Huw Roberts. Huw is a member of the Bass section and has been in the choir for 36 years having joined in 1983. He has served on the committee for over twenty years and has been the the Choir Chairman on two occasions. Huw is currently the Choir Marshal and held in high regard by the choir (but don’t tell him).

Our compère for the evening was Garry Owen. Garry is one of the most familiar faces and voices in Wales, an award winning journalist with BBC Wales. He presents his own daily news lunchtime phone in programme, Tarro’r Post on BBC Radio Cymru and is part of the team of presenters on the BBC Wales today Television news programme. Garry carried off the evening with his usual charm.

A big thank you must go to our Musical Team , D. Huw Rees, Helen Wyn, Rhiannon Pritchard and Hywel Evans for all their their effort and dedication to the choir thus ensuring the concert became the success it was. It is very much appreciated. 
Thank you all.

Three lower Swansea Valley primary schools took part in the final of our 6th annual competition in Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston to win the J. Layton Watkins Trophy and £200. Adjudicator Huw Tregelles Williams OBE praised all the schools, their teachers and families for helping the choirs reach an excellent standard. Although there was hardly anything to choose between first and third places. Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Lon Las (conductor Enfys Rees) was eventually awarded the trophy. The other schools Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tan-y-lan and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary school received a plaque and £50.
While adjudicators D. Huw Rees, Eric Jones and Huw Tregelles Williams were deliberating, Morriston RFC Male Choir sang Tears in Heaven and All I ask of you, conducted by Deputy Musical Director Helen Wyn and accompanied by Hywel Evans.
It had been a privilege to see the enthusiasm and enjoyment of the children, most of whom had never been in such an awe-inspiring building before. Our hope and intention is that experiences such as this will encourage them to perpetuate a love of music as they progress through the education system and beyond.

We were again pleased to be invited to join the Hywel Girl’s Choir and Angelicus Celtis in a celebration of music in aid of the very worth while Charity “Swansea Foodbank”. This charity is close to the heart of the concert organiser Gorseinon Mayor Cllr Jan Curtis.
To a very near sell out audience The Hywel Girl’s Choir started the evening with 4 numbers. “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana, “Pie Jesu” from Requiem, “Stabat Mater” from Stabat Mater and “Y Delyn Aur”.

2nd Section “Panis Angelicus”, “Benedictus” and “Climb Ev’ry Moutain”.

All conducted by their Director John Hywel Williams. With accompanist Jane Jewel, guest organist Huw Tregelles Williams, percussionists Gareth Hamlin.

Morriston RFC Male Choir sang in three sections starting with an audience favorite “Gwahoddiad” followed by “Anfonaf Angel” (Soloist Huw Roberts). and “I Bwy Y Perthin Mawl”.

2nd Section “Sanctus”, “All I ask of you”, “Diolch i’r Ior”.
(Soloist Huw Roberts).

Lastly “Tears in Heaven” and “O Gymru” (Soloist Huw Roberts).
All conducted by MD D Huw Rees with accompanist Hywel Evans and guest organist Huw Tregelles Williams.

Angelicus Celtis joined the celebrations and sang 7 songs in two sections. A selection from the “Ceremony of Carols”, “Ava Maria”, “When I fall in love”, “He was Beautiful”, “Angelicus Adoremus” and “Jerusalem”.

All performances by The Hywel Girl’s Choir and Angelicus Celtis were extremely highly polished, giving their all and making a beautiful cohesive sound. It was a pleasure to listen to such wonderful voices.

The evening concluded as usual with all performers and audience joining for the National Anthem.

Thank you to St Catherine’s for the refreshments after the concert. Very much appreciated.

A St David’s Day combined charity concert with Morriston Ladies Choir. Also starring guest artists Catrin Eluned Jones a Singer/Actress and Dafydd Mills Baritone/Bass. An excellent evening of music by all. Both Musical Directors Huw Rees and Anthoney Williams got into the spirit of the evening by wearing their Welsh Rugby shirts.
Anthony has been associated with the Morriston Ladies Choir since 1974 becoming their Musical Director in 1976.
Huw Rees has been associated with Morriston RFC Male Voice Choir since 1990 when he became the Choir’s accompanist. He was appointed its Musical Director in January 2004. All proceeds of the concert to Marie Curie.

A

We were invited to take part in the “Festival of Carols” Christmas concert at St John’s church in Gowerton this year. The concert was our last formal concert for 2018.  There were 5 choirs along with other performers taking part in this celebration which showed off the talent and commitment of the people in the local area. Christmas is a wonderful time of year and the Christmas spirit worked it’s magic among the choirs and audience as the evening went on. The evening started with a welcome to the church by the Reverand Alex Pye followed by the congregational carol “O Come all Ye Faithfull” A list of the evening events is as follows. 1. A reading of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas was read by Barry Evans. 2. Soloist- “Millie Colebrook” accompanied by “Joan Lewis” gave us “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”. 3. St John’s Musical Players with 3 items “Mary had a baby”. a Christmas     spiritual. Soloists- Alison Sandy and Betty Jones. Daeth Iesu o’i Gariad   Soloist- “Sian Smith” 4. Spiritual “I’m Gonna Ride a Chariot in the Morning Lord” Soloists- “Sian Smith, Ann Benjamin and Huw Roberts” 5. “Halleluiah” Ian Lewis, Geraint Williams and Joan Lewis” 6. “Swansea Excelsior Ladies Choir” with 4 items. “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “Mary Did you Know”, “The Colours of Christmas” and “Twelve Songs of Christmas” 7. The Brass Ensemble played “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells” 8. “O Holy Night” Sang by Claire Allen Powell with Darryl Lewis on Cello. 9. “Cancer Challenge Singers” performed ” See the Morning Star”, “Somewhere in My Memories”, “The Most Wonderful birthday of all” with Accompanist Ian Lewis and Musical Director Geraint Williams. 10. “St John’s Sunday School” with “T’was the First Christmas Gift Ever Given” and “A Baby was Born in Bethlehem” 11. “Hands Together Singing Choir” who are a sign sing choir that use British Sign Language to sing songs. The choir signed 2 songs “Snow is Falling” and “See him Lying on a Bed of Straw” 12. Morriston RFC Male Choir concluded the performances for the evening with 3 carols “Son of Maria”, “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night in German) and Brenyn y Ser. Soloist- Huw Roberts. A wonderful evening of  music was brought to a close with the communal carol “Hark the Herald Angel Sing” and a blessing from the Reverand Alex Pye. A big thank you to St John’s church for the hospitality in the Church Hall, very much appreciated.                                                                           Merry Christmas and A Happy new Year to you all.