Sandra Knight was appointed as the new Musical Director of the choir starting in March.  She was appointed from several applicants and we are very lucky to have found a person with her qualities.  She gave her first full rehearsal with the choir in preparation for a concert at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea for the Young Singer Bursary Winners with West Glamorgan Youth Music. However, unprecedented events took over.  Toward the end of March, the Coronavirus Pandemic came into being.  As a result, “lockdown” throughout the UK was brought in by the government with self-isolation and gathering of people strictly banned.  Government rules were to “Stay at home and Stay safe”.

This had a profound effect on all choirs- unable to meet and rehearse!  2020 was to be a very busy year for the Gwalia Singers.  All future concerts were cancelled.  This included a retirement dinner in honour of former MD Nick Rogers, a combined concert with the Kronshagen Choir from Germany, a choir tour to Cornwall as well as singing at several weddings and at other events. 

With the new MD eager to commence her appointment and no choir rehearsals, technology came to the forefront.  Regular monthly newsletters from the Chairman, Clive Walters and the Music Team were forwarded to choristers along with new pieces of music to add to the choir’s repertoire.  This was important so that sectional parts could be learnt in readiness for when rehearsals could resume. (Also to keep everyone busy during lockdown). Zoom has come to our aid – we had a committee meeting, a social gathering and a quiz, thank you Gareth John for being our Quiz Master.  Sandra also met with the four sections of the choir over a period of weeks via “Zoom”. A new chapter had begun…….

Dr Carl Sullivan, who sings with the second tenors and a former committee member, is leaving the choir.  He was a doctor at Morriston hospital and is now taking up a promotional position in Sheffield.  He leaves with our thanks and good wishes.