As my first duty in writing this Choir News update, I would like to thank all the Music Team, Choristers, Supporters, Patrons, Committee, and our President for such a wonderful warm welcome since being appointed as Musical Director in February. Since then, the Choir has been very busy, not just singing at weddings and other engagements but hard at work at rehearsals too. Adapting to new techniques and building a bond between myself and the Choir.

In June I was honoured to preside over my first annual concert, and it was an emotional moment when being presented the ‘Choir Baton’ from our former Musical Director, Nick at the start of the evening. This concert is our flagship for the year, where we measure our success and showcase the Choir, and its abilities, to our followers and the public. The concert was a huge success. This was evident by the standing ovation that was received following the final number. This was the first annual concert for 3 years, due to the pandemic, but the way in which the Choir performed and responded to the occasion made me feel very proud, especially being able to include some new repertoire in such a short space of time. Rhian, our accompanist supported the choir, accompanying with confidence and sensitivity. I would like to thank Rhian for her continued hard work. I would also like to thank all the ladies who helped make the evening such a success, and who are always ready to help. On the evening we were very pleased to welcome our Irish guest artiste for the evening, Karl McGuckin, who entertained us and added so much to the evening. Karl was expertly accompanied by our guest accompanist Jeffery Howard. We are already looking forward to next year’s concert, and the plans for that are already underway.

In July, following the annual concert, we took the Choir on a short ‘Roadtrip’ with our ‘Rehearsals on the Road’. We would like to thank the Commercial Inn, Killay, Uplands Rugby Club, Swansea Yacht Club and Mumbles Rugby Club for the welcome and the use of their facilities. Recruitment is very important, and as a result we have welcomed 5 new choristers to the ranks, including 2 new 1st tenors, who are difficult to find. I extend a warm welcome to all the new members, “you are already an important part of our family, and I wish you long and fruitful membership of the Choir”. 

As we look forward, the Choir have 2 engagements on the horizon. September 10th at All Saints Church, as a part of the Mumbles Festival, and our own Autumn Concert to be held at the Calon Lan Centre with our guests ‘Cor Y Gyrlais’. This is ahead of our trip to Greece, where we will participate in a music festival. I look forward to writing to you all again soon with an update, following the return of our tour. I look forward to seeing you at one of our concerts soon.
Matthew Ioan Sims M.A.