Saturday 19 October 2013
Press Officer, Tim O'Hagan reports.............
Whilst enjoying its main role of giving enjoyable concerts to appreciative audiences, Bridgend Male Choir also enjoys the occasional foray into the competitive choral arena, thereby getting an idea of the choir's standing in comparison to other similar bodies of men. So it was that on 19th October 2013, the Choir took part in the Isle of Man Festival of Choirs in a breezy and damp Douglas.
Five male choirs were entered in what proved to be a very close contest in which the contestants sang a wide range of music to a very high standard. The final result was, according to the adjudicator, a very close-run thing. The winning choir was Haydock Male Voice Choir, from Merseyside. Bridgend was placed equal second with the renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir. The other male choirs competing were Bolsterstone MVC from Sheffield, and the LonDhu MVC from the Isle of Man.
Some in the audience were of the view that, if Hughie Green's old Clap-o-meter had been available, Bridgend would have been the outright winners because of the variety of pieces which they had sung!! Nevertheless, the Bridgend boys were happy that they had performed to the highest standard and had been pipped at the post by worthy opponents.
In addition to staging a well-received charity concert in Douglas the day before singing in the Festival, the Bridgend songsters also indulged in some hours of informal harmonising in various tea-rooms and other establishments around the city.
The Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings in St Mary's RC Church, Ewenny Road, Bridgend at 7.30pm. New members and visitors are always welcome. http://www.bridgendmalechoir.co.uk/