Sunday 27 July 2008
A GREAT COMPETITION IS ANTICIPATED.......
The Choir will shortly be entering again into one of Europe’s oldest cultural festivals, when it participates in the Fusiliers Cup Competition at the Welsh National Eisteddfod on August 9th. So old is the Eisteddfod that it was first held at Cardigan in 1176, before being revised and held in present form at Aberdare in 1860.
For many months under the guidance of its professional team, John Jenkins, Rhiannon Williams-Hale, Cheryl Jones & Laura Smith, whose combined commitment has been huge, the Bridgend choristers have learned, revised & practiced its competition content diligently. It will be as prepared as is possible for what will be a very tough competition in the “Over 45 choristers” section, competing with many of Wales’ great choirs at Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff.
Amongst the other competing choirs are Dunvant (Swansea), Brynthoniaid (Blaenau Ffestiniog), Traeth (Anglesey), Maelgwyn (Llandudno), Llanelli and Pontarddulais. Such is the standard in 2008 that each participating choir is a former Eisteddfod winner. Whilst Bridgend Male Choir is proud to have won this particular competition on both of the last occasions it was held in south Wales (2004 Newport & 2006 Swansea), Pontarddulais having participated in a different competition won the Choir of the Festival at the Swansea event. Also from the county, competing in the “Under 45 chorister” section are the excellent Maesteg Gleemen, no strangers themselves to competition success.
For anyone attending the Eisteddfod on Saturday, 9th, please cheer on your local Choirs. It looks like they will need all the help they can get.