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A few weeks ago a Gwent choir suggested in a newspaper report that it was recruiting heavily and was now the largest choir in South Wales with 65 members. I think this suggestion was a mis-quote perhaps. Also there are a number of choirs in South Wales who are declining sadly and these will feature in a film ‘Save Our Male Choirs’ which concentrates on showing how Male Choirs are in decline in Wales. Several articles have appeared in the press and even on BBC’s Breakfast television that numbers are seriously in decline. While this may be true for some, it does not paint the more enlightening picture of how a number of choirs in the area are actually increasing significantly, including our own which has recruited 29 new members in 2 and a half years. Sadly a few older members have departed but nevertheless our numbers have grown to 85 members eligible to sing in concerts.
Our guests at the Gala concert, Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir has increased from 35 members to over 50 in the past year. Similarly Barry Male Voice Choir has increased its membership by 15 as a result of a recruitment drive last year and I’m told Pontnewydd Male Voice Choir has increased from about 50 to 65 in the past 18 months. All these are also recruiting, like ourselves younger members as well. Several others like Blaenavon are holding there numbers at about 50 members.
Believing that it is better to broadcast progress and achievement rather than bemoan problems and hardships, I had a discussion with a South Wales Argus reporter to ask if the paper would consider featuring our choir in particular, but include others who are increasing in number and are successful in recruiting a younger element to rebuff the image that male voice choral singing is struggling. I supplied photographs to help in this endeavour.
On Saturday 5th September a 3 page article including 5 photographs of our choir and a write up in general terms of how some choirs are expanding, just as I asked for. Copies of this article are produced on this page and I would like to thanks Carys Thomas of the South Wales Argus for writing this review and arranging publication in the Weekend Centre supplement of the Argus.
The main face hitting photo is of our newest recruits Sam Atkins and Liam Evans who hit the front page of the supplement followed inside by a 1963 picture of the choir, our Annual concert this year, the choir on the Glanfa stage of the Millenium Centre, Cardiff and a photo featuring new recruits Harry Giblin, Rob Baldwin, Sam and Liam. Since this photo was taken we are pleased to welcome 2nd tenor John Searle to our ranks.
Lyn Gauntlett PRO