Gwalia Singers
(Swansea)

Charity Number 1210553

Cantorion Gwalia
(Abertawe)

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2025

Annual Concert - All Saints Church, Mumbles 15/06/25 (See more pictures here)

What a great evening! There was much excitement and build-up to this Annual Concert. Lots of practices for improvement and presentation, and great expectation of a good night’s performance with the much-acclaimed Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm. Many thanks to all who attended, dignitaries including Deputy Lieutenant Martyn Jenkins DL and his wife, Gwalia’s President Mr. Peter Lynn and his wife-and a full All Saints audience!

Gwalia’s compere Mr. David Williams introduced their opening rendition of ‘Let All Men Sing’, a new presentation-and their enthusiastic performance was very well received. Some favourites followed, all in fine voice!’ Tell My Father’ was particularly emotional with the delightful viola accompaniment from Gwalia’s Gareth Widlake.

Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm’s compere introduced their history and incredible achievements over a 30 year existence -and they performed a beautiful, varied rendition from their repertoire. The audience were absolutely delighted!

The first half concluded on a high with more of Gwalia’s favourites: ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’, ‘And Can It Be’, ‘Benedictus’ in memory of members who passed recently-and the mighty ‘Gwahoddiad’

The interval was enjoyed by all as an opportunity for some refreshments, and socialising.

The second half programme included a variety of Gwalia’s wide repertoire with the jovial ‘Five Foot Two’ rendition and leg kicking a big hit! Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm also sang some upbeat songs with dancing steps outdoing the gents of course with their fine skills!The concert concluded with Gwalia’s firm favourites and the poignant ‘If We Only Have Love’.

The audience gave a rapturous applause to both Choirs. Mrs. Wendy Gadd, the Ladies’ Chairperson presented Miss Rhian Liles, Gwalia’s accompanist, and Miss Catrin Hughes, Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm’s Musical Director with beautiful floral bouquets, and Mr. David Williams, Gwalia’s compere and Mr. Matthew Sims, Gwalia’s Musical Director with bottles of wine. Many thanks to them and both Choirs for their much-appreciated hard work and dedication

.A wonderful evening with a heartfelt rendition of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ at the end!

All enjoyed the ‘afterglow’ celebrations at the Oyster House, Mumbles. Many thanks for their very kind hospitality!

Gwalia Rehearsal with Patrons. Guide/Scouts Hall,Brynmill 13/05/25

The Gwalia Singers invited their Patrons to a rehearsal evening to gain insight into their musical learning practices. It was an opportunity also to meet Musical Director, Matthew Sims, accompanist, Rhian Liles, and Choristers-and observe them all ‘at work’. Refreshments were served by the Ladies in the interval, and Wendy Gadd,Ladies’ Chairperson presented a cheque of £1,000 to Rhian Liles towards the purchase of a new keyboard. A good evening’s rehearsal! Many thanks to the Patrons for their continued support!

Gwalia Singers and Cirencester MVC Concert. 26/04/25 - St Peter’s Church,Newton (More Photos)

What a special evening! How lovely to invite Cirencester MVC to join Gwalia in the delightful St Peter’s Church via two choristers from the Choirs who’ve stayed connected for many years! The Choirs arrived early on a beautiful evening for a sound check, and Gwalia Ladies and Bar staff ensured good organisation.

David Williams of the Gwalia Choir compered the evening. A warm Welsh welcome was given to the Cirencester friends, ’God Save The King’ was sung, and Gwalia’s first half programme was introduced. They started their programme with a new song ’Let All Men Sing’, and some firm favourites ‘What Would I Do Without My Music’, ‘Y Darlun’, and the rousing ‘There Is A Land’. All excellent renditions!

Gwalia’s Daniel Davies was the soloist, and his performances ‘Why God Why’,from Music Theatre ‘Miss Saigon’were truly outstanding!The audience gave a much-deserved rapturous applause!

Cirencester’s four songs ‘Let It Be Me’,’Stout Hearted Men’,’Poor Wayfaring Stranger’,’A Million Dreams’ were beautifully performed,and truly delighted the audience!The first half concert was indeed ‘class’!The joy of music!

The interval allowed a social break and refreshments. David Williams introduced the second half programme with Cirencester MVC singing 5 wonderful songs including ‘Reverend Eli Jenkins’ Prayer’, a Welsh favourite!

Daniel Davies sang ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables - yet another outstanding rendition!

Gwalia then concluded their programme with a variety of favourites including the powerful ‘If We Only Have Love’. The concert’s final performance was a joint rendition of the dynamic ‘American Trilogy’-and the Welsh Anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’

A truly wonderful evening-and huge appreciation for all the hard work of both Choirs, their Musical Directors, Matthew Simms and James Willshire, accompanists Rhian Liles and Michelle Howarth, soloist Daniel Davies, and compere David Williams.

Both Choirs then moved on to a social gathering and buffet in Langland Bay Golf Club. Time to relax and enjoy the ’afterglow’! We hope Cirencester MVC enjoyed their Swansea experience!

Daffodil Concert (In support of Marie Curie Mumbles and Gower Fundraising Group) – 1^st March 2025 - All Saint's Church, Oystermouth.

In the splendour and wonder of All Saints, we sang in the name of our Saint; St David. Saturday the 1st of March 2025 saw us sing our first concert of 2025. If a celebration of our culture was not motivation enough, a chance to raise funds for Marie Curie, and, also to sing in memory of some beloved choristers who have sadly passed away in recent months, gave emotional energy a plenty for the evening’s song. The choir raised the sum of £2,129 for Marie Curie on the night. A very special thank you to Jeff, a chorister in the baritone section of the choir who helped organise the evening.

Our opening 4 pieces, “There is a Land”, “Calon Lan”, Y Tangnefeddwyr” and “O Gymru”; songs of pride, of peace, of reliance. For the majority of the choir, a chance to rest and reflect followed. Not so for our very own Daniel Davies. Daniel gave us all pause for thought, and brought the West End to South West Wales, with his solo performances of “ Why God Why” – Miss Saigon, “Til I hear you Sing” – Love Never Dies, and “Bring Him Home” – Les Misérables. The audience’s connection to the music, their own personal reflection, was very much felt for me in the absence of sound; Their sound of silence. Time very much stood still. Diolch Dan!

The choir sung another 4 pieces before the interval, the Welsh hymn “Gwahoddiad” was favourite of mine. It invited an emotional reaction from the audience, eyes a glaze with tears as the Amens rose to the heavens above. A change of tone, some lighter notes to open the 2nd half. “5”2, eyes of Blue, Has anybody seen her?” She, of “5” 2, Eyes of Blue; as of yet, is nowhere to be seen. The choir love the fun and movement of this piece; I think those watching loved it too!

Our Guest Artiste for the 2nd half was our very own Musical Director, Matthew Ioan Simms. Matt’s rendition of “O Sole Mio” (“ My Sunshine”) was sung with depth, with power, a sense of longing, a sense of “hiraeth” in the air. In “Hushaby Mountain” and “Cilfan y Coed”, Matt took us to place of “Heddwch Perffaith” for a while! Diolch Matt!

The night’s music was brought to a crescendo by “If We Only have Love”; a piece that poses and then unequivocally answer’s the question of the power and place of love in our lives. As we finished Mae Hen Wlad Fy’n Nhadau, refreshments and some rest was very much needed. And, no more so was rest deserved than for our long serving accompanist, Rhian Liles. Rhian led the way on the piano for 22 songs this evening. Diolch o ‘galon Rhian.

Our next performance welcomes Cirencester Male Voice choir to Swansea. We are singing alongside them on Saturday 26th of April 25, St Peter’s Church, Newton, SA3 4RA (7pm). We hope to see you there (see the tickets section of our website or speak to any chorister for details).

Roger Gadd

It is with very great sadness that that we have to report that Roger Gadd passed away on the 29th January 2025, after struggling with cancer for some time. Roger had been with the choir for about 6 years and as well as his lovely baritone voice, he will be remembered for writing the reports of our events for the website. Our sympathy goes to Wendy, his wife, and to all his family.

It was a very sad occasion for the Choir to sing in Roger’s funeral at Morriston Crematorium on Tuesday, February 18th. We were requested to sing the Welsh ‘Gwahoddiad’, a firm favourite of his. Many members also attended the Clyne Chapel service and reception in Norton House, Mumbles. A difficult day for all! He will be greatly missed-but fondly remembered!

A Wedding and a Curry – 18^th January 2025.

Well what a journey! About 45 choristers left Swansea Airport by coach to sing at the wedding of Charlotte Ann Goodwin in Gellifawr Woodland Retreat, near Fishguard, with plenty of time for the journey. When we were about 12 minutes away from the venue, the coach driver took a wrong turning and we ended up in a very narrow lane with no way round a tight bend. After spending a lot of time looking at maps and reversing a long way we eventually arrived at the venue 45 minutes late.

Our singing was due to take place after the wedding ceremony and as we were late the guests had been sent off to the bar to await our arrival. Once we arrived we assembled and the guests returned, with drinks in hand, and in a very happy mood. We sung six numbers: ‘Calon Lan’, ‘You Are So Beautiful’, ‘O Gymru’, ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ (with audience participation), ‘Gwahoddiad’, and ‘God Only Knows’ which were all rapturously applauded. For an encore we sang ‘There Is A Land’ and ‘Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ and the guests had to sing one chorus on their own. We left the hall to more applause and many thanks from the Bride, Groom and guests.

The journey home was much less eventful. We stopped at the Carmarthen Quins RFC for a curry or lasagne and a few beers. After eating we adjourned to the bar for an enjoyable afterglow led by Nick. We eventually arrived back at the airport at 11pm having had a good day out and where our singing had saved the day from being a disaster.

Geoffrey Wheel – 30th June, 1951 – 26th December 2024.

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Geoffrey Wheel passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Boxing day, 2024. He was a great family man and a true gentleman. In 2011 he was very proud to become President of the Gwalia Singers, a post he held for 12 years. In all that time he was always very supportive and encouraging in everything we did.

As a younger man Geoff had played rugby union for Mumbles and Swansea and then became a Wales international player who attained 32 international caps. Later he was the organist in the Parish of St Thomas in Swansea where he also ran Geoff's Tuck Shop at the Boys Brigade every Wednesday. He was unfortunately stricken with Motor Neuron Disease and resigned as our president in 2023. It is particularly poignant that in November, shortly before his death, we held a concert in his honour to raise funds for MND and raised over £10,039 for this very worthwhile cause. On Friday, 26th January, 2025 we sang 'Benedictus' arranged by Robat Arwyn at his funeral in St. Thomas Church. Swansea.

He will be greatly missed by all his many friends in the choir and our sympathy goes to his wife, Christine, and to all his family.

New member. On Tuesday 7th Jan. David Owen passed his Voice Test and was welcomed into the choir, Well done David and welcome.

John Baily.

It is with very great sadness that that we have to report that John Baily, who sang Bass with us, passed away on 4th January 2024 having been ill for a year. Our sympathy goes to all his family.

Christmas 2024 - see more picture

St Hilary's Church Concert, Killay - 20th December

A day of mixed emotions for the choir started in the afternoon with the funeral of good friend and long serving member Lawrence Sutton. The choir filed into a packed Morriston crematorium in full uniform where they sang Benedictus as a tribute to Lawrence and his family. The song was very moving and poignant in the surroundings of the small Chapel.

There wasn’t a lot of time before the choir attended the last of their Christmas concerts at St Hilary’s Church, in Killay, where they took to the stage again in full uniform but with bright and colourful Christmas ties. The choir performed a variety of songs from their newly released CD along with Five foot two which proved to be a favourite with the audience, lighting up the Church with many smiles and foot tapping. The second half saw the choir perform their Christmas Carol favourites interspersed with audience participation and singing. During the choir breaks the audience were entertained by Nabeel Masih local singer and husband of the vicar of St Hilary’s.

After the interval framed souvenirs of our new CD were presented to Matt, our Musical Director, and Rhian, our accompanist in recognition of all their hard work. The evening was rounded off with the choir selling copies of their recently made CD titled ‘If we only have Love’ a great Christmas stocking filler at £8 each.

Vivian Hall Concert, Blackpill - 16th December.

We again performed to another packed audience at the Vivian Hall in Blackpill. There were visitors in the front row from British Columbia Canada who had never seen a Welsh choir before and were who were blown away and loved every second of the concert. They said it made their holiday even more special.

The choir sang a variety of songs from Benedictus, You Raise me Up, Five Foot Two in the first half of the concert and a selection of Christmas carols and songs in the second half. Just to add a bit of audience participation with traditional carols and The Twelve days of Christmas.

This was the 4th Christmas concert for this year the choir has performed, the 5th and final Christmas concert will take place on Friday 20th at St Hilary’s church in Killay.

This final concert will be a bitter sweet occasion as we will be attending the funeral of our dearly missed and loved long serving member Lawrence in the afternoon. All our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Maggie’s Christmas Concert 2024 - All Saints Church, Oystermouth - December 12th, 2024

One of the highlights of the Gwalia Singers calendar is Maggie’s Christmas Concert in All Saints Church. The Choir looked forward to a wonderful evening of music and festive spirit with the Pontardulais Town Brass Band, and the incredible acoustics of the Church. The first half commenced with traditional congregational carol-singing to the accompaniment of the Band. They then played a selection of their repertoire with some solo recitals - very accomplished performances and talent indeed! The Gwalia Singers followed with their repertoire selection, and their rendition of ‘Gwahoddiad’ was dedicated in memory of Laurence Sutton, their much-loved fellow chorister who passed away a fortnight ago.

The interval provided a great opportunity for some refreshments and socialising. The second half again commenced with the congregational carol-singing, followed by Pontardulais Town Band’s Christmas medley. The Gwalia Singers continued with their Christmas selection, and a joint performance of ‘Stop the Cavalry’ concluded the evening. A truly enjoyable concert of music and festivity, with proceeds to the remarkable Maggie’s Charity. Such a pleasure!

The Choir continued their enjoyment, relaxation and singing in the Oyster House, Oystermouth. Sincere thanks for the invitation and buffet!

On the membership side David Wintle passed his audition tonight and became a full choir member singing with our baritoines. Well done David.

Scout/Guide Hall, Brynmill, Swansea -Tuesday 10th December.

The annual Gwalia Ladies’ Concert in the Scout/Guide Hall is always a relaxed and enjoyable festive occasion. The first half of the concert was a mixed selection of the Choir’s musical repertoire, up-beat and the more traditional. ’Benedictus’, a firm favourite, was sung in honour of Lawrence Sutton, the much-loved fellow Chorister who sadly passed away only last week with a ‘minute’s silence’ to follow.

The last item was the first-time performance of ‘Five Foot Two’ which allowed the Choir to be jovial and high-spirited and encouraged audience participation in the carol-singing before the interval.

Deputy Chairman Mike Phippen paid tribute to the former President Mr. Geoff Wheel in the second half, for his incredible commitment to the Gwalia Singers. He then donated a cheque for the sum of £11,030 to Janet Fisher from MND South West Wales, in Geoff’s honour. An amazing sum raised recently by the Choir! A huge ‘thank-you’ to Mike Phippen and all individuals and businesses who supported the cause.

The choir then continued with their Christmas repertoire and with more audience participation of carol singing. The evening concluded with a delightful buffet for all! This annual fixture is a joy!

St Catherine’s Church, Gorseinon, Friday 6th December.

It was indeed a very poignant occasion for the Choir to sing in the Swansea Excelsior Charity Concert in St. Catherine’s Church, on Friday, December 6th for two reasons: it was the first performance since the passing of a much loved and respected stalwart of Gwalia Singers - Laurence Sutton and singing with his daughter, Anna, and her Choir, the Excelsior Ladies.

In the first half of the concert the Ladies gave beautiful renditions and solo performances from their musical programme, and the Gwalia Singers followed with male voice favourites. Following a short interval, the Gwalia singers delighted the audience with some Christmas songs and spirit, and the Excelsior Ladies also gave some of their Christmas flavour! The finale was a fun performance by both Choirs together of ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’

The vicar of St. Catherine’s, Dr. Adrian Morgan, highlighted the appreciation of raising much-needed funds for the refurbishment programme in 2025. A truly wonderful evening which did the choirs proud! We all braced the red alert inclement weather for the journey home!

Lawrence William Sutton - 4th February 1946 to 1st December 2024.

It is with very great sadness that that we have to report that Lawrence Sutton passed away suddenly on 1st December 2024. Our sympathy goes to Pam, his wife, and to all his family.

Lawrence came to Wales as a young boy and learned to sing soprano in his church choir progressing on to alto then tenor and finally bass.

Many years later, after getting married and bringing up his family, one of those friends persuaded him to join the Gwalia Singers where he joined the Second Tenors. He was a stalwart member of the choir for over 25 years. He was a gentle gentleman, always willing to welcome new members into the choir and offering help and advice to anyone who needed it. In 2008 he took on the task of being the choir treasurer which he did very efficiently for over 15 years. His thoughts and ideas were always well considered and respected by all the choir committee members.

He enjoyed the camaraderie, the repertoire, the practices and the opportunities to travel and perform in Beijing, Barbados and many places in Europe.

He will be greatly missed by all his many friends in the choir.

Principality Stadium Cardiff - 17th November 2024

An excited Gwalia Singers choir left Swansea Airport car park on Sunday morning for a very prestigious occasion, singing on the hallowed Principality Stadium turf in Cardiff for the Wales v Australia match. We were hoping to encourage the Welsh rugby team to put on an outstanding performance following their recent losing streak!

Expectations were high, songs and new harmonies had been learnt and mastered. On our arrival we were taken to the underground tunnel entrance to the pitch, where a rehearsal was held to blend our voices together with the Brass Band and the other two invited choirs; Cor Yogi (Bala) and Glyn-Neath.

After an hour’s rest we were called to line up and marched out to our singing position, led by the rousing Welsh Guards’ Band and their mascot ‘goat’. After singing six wonderful songs the teams ran out to the cinematic display of fires and feathers, the supporters and players were now truly psyched-up!

After singing the two National Anthems we were marched off and then seated comfortably in our seats for the duration of the game, excellent viewing for us all. The choirs performed well for Wales but, unfortunately, the Welsh Rugby team didn’t!

We had a curry, social and afterglow later at Cardiff Rugby Football Club which made up for the very disappointing result! A wonderful experience nevertheless! Thank you WRU!

Gower College, Tycochy. 9th November 1024.

This was a special evening’s concert for the Choir to thank the long-standing former President Mr. Geoff Wheel for his incredible service and commitment to Gwalia-and raising funds for MND.

The Choir’s programme was varied and interesting encompassing the many rousing, traditional classics together with the quiet melodies in both English and Welsh, and much appreciated by the audience. Many thanks to Matthew Sims - Gwalia Musical Director, Rhian Liles - Choir accompanist and soloists Dan, Tom and Craig.

The young Gower College soloists Abigail Rankin, Isobel McNeill and Carys Morgan also delighted the audience with their wonderful performances (with accompanist Rhian Liles), very talented young ladies who will, no doubt, have promising careers in Music.

The Choir would also like to thank all sponsors for their generosity, and every effort to raise funds e.g. raffle tickets and interval refreshments by Gwalia Ladies-and especially Gower College for using the venue.

A wonderful evening indeed where we raised £10,039 for MND!