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A Very Busy Day - Saturday 2nd March, 2024

concert in

Happy Returns - Saturday 24th February, 2024

No, it wasn’t a birthday, but we returned to our singing ways as a choir; we returned to St Paul’s Church in Sketty; we returned to the leadership of Nick Rogers, as our Musical Director Matt was away on business and we were delighted at the return of our excellent accompanist, Rhian, after a short but distressing illness.

Singing at the wedding of Jessica and Jamie, we provided a suitable medley – apparently enjoyed by the congregation - before the entry of the bride. As she came down the aisle, we offered the gentle ‘Benedictus’, before retiring into the seats for congregational hymns and the service itself.  Returning to the front as Jessica and Jamie signed the register, we sang more of our well-known repertoire and then provided a suitable ‘processional’ item with ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’. Judging by the smiles and, indeed, the joining in of the people there, this was a highly popular and appropriate finish to events.

In thanking the bride and groom and wishing them the very best of luck for the future, we are happy to remind everybody that we are performing twice next Saturday, 2nd March. As a part of the St David’s Day celebrations we shall be at Swansea Market at lunch time and then one of our annual favourite concerts at All Saints, Mumbles, for the Marie Curie ‘Daffodil Concert’ in the evening.  We’re back!

Our Final Christmas Concert

For our final Christmas concert this year, on the 19th December, we had our annual visit to the Vivian Hall in Blackpill.  This is a charity concert to raise funds for the hall.  It is always a bit of a squeeze but is a very relaxed concert where we sing some of our normal repertoire and some Christmas songs.

One of the highlights of the evening was Daniel, one of our choir members, singing ‘This is the Moment’ from Jekyll & Hyde.  We also sang several carols with audience participation, the highlight being a very active ‘Twelve days Of Christmas’.

After the concert some of the choir retired to the pub for a pint or two and some more singing

John Moses

Singing with the Ladies

Christmas in Killay.

For the third concert of the week, and the mid concert of our Christmas series, the choir performed at St. Hilary’s Church in Killay.  The first half was a mix of our traditional Welsh and English hymns and songs which was warmly received by a full and appreciative audience. They were also entranced by chorister, Daniel Davies, who performed ‘This is the Moment’ with panache and skill.

The second half began with a congregational carol before the choir performed more traditional songs. The audience was then entertained by worship singer Nabeel Masih, who sung with sincerity and conviction. 

The concert closed with the choir singing a repertoire of Christmas hymns and songs and concluded with the appropriate ‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas’. Rev L A Masih, the vicar of St Hilary’s then gave a vote of thanks to the choir, conductor Matt Sims, accompanist Rhian Liles and soloists, Daniel, Nabeel and Craig.

A lovely concert enjoyed by all – performers and listeners.

A Christmas Bonus.

Following swiftly on the tail of our Ladies’ Committee concert, in many ways this followed a similar pattern, except that it was once again at the lovely All Saints

Here's to the ladies.

December 5th saw our hardworking and valued Ladies’ Committee return full throttle to the traditional Christmas concert at the Scout and Guide Hall, Bryn Road.  Lots of work had been done during the afternoon prior to the concert and lots was done during the concert to ensure an excellent evening, with proceeds going to the Red Cross.
 

The programme started with a mix of our traditional Welsh and English songs, much appreciated by a good audience. Before taking an interval, presentations were made to various choristers of ‘milestone’ ties, the most notable marking 30 years’ service from Len Fuge. Very notable and to the delight of everybody was a special presentation to our brilliant and loved accompanist, Rhian Liles. 25 years is a very long time to put up with such a bunch of boisterous men and she is simply the best!

During this break, all were entertained by solo performances from our own Daniel Davies and Musical Director Matthew Sims. The choir then returned to render a programme of Christmas carols and songs. Refreshments came after this, again catered by the Ladies, and then there was a very enjoyable traditional session of singing carols with the choir and audience together, culminating in the usual riotous crowd pleaser ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’.

We now look forward to the second of our five Christmas Concerts, this being (for Maggie’s) at All Saints Church, Oystermouth, on Thursday, 7^th December, with the Pontardulais Town band. So, here’s to our Ladies’ section for arranging such a splendid lift-off to the season. Nadolig llawen i chi gyd!  (See more photos)

Gwalia Choir Tour to wonderful Mannheim!

October 26 - 31, 2023 
(Neil's Video and more photos)

28/10

29/10

30/10

Wedding Trip to Ireland.

Great Things in Small Packages.

Noson Lawen, for certain!

Sunday, 16th July, 2023 saw an unusual and hugely successful evening in the little village of Llanarthney, where we had been invited to sing on behalf of the Prostate Cancer charity and respond to the request of the family of our talismanic accompanist Rhian.

We opened with four Welsh language songs – a natural hit around here – then had solos from Musical Director Matthew and young star tenor Dan Davies, who had the audience’s heart strings plucked with ‘Bring Him Home’. That audience was warmly enthusiastic throughout the choir’s performance as the choir contrasted rousing numbers with tender and soulful melodies.

The second half continued to arouse a great response and another solo from Dan was answered by a talented and amusing lady under the name of ‘Nia Drws Nesaf’, a local favourite.

The final session concluded with a spontaneous standing ovation, which rounded off a wonderful evening for all, the choir then generously entertained in this charming venue. It was a very happy evening, and one which we all hope may be repeated in the future. Diolch yn fawr, Llanarthney!

Penblwydd Hapus, Tegwen.

It was a big change and a pleasure for us to be invited to Dewsall Court in Herefordshire on Tuesday, 20^th June for a birthday party performance for Tegwen’s 95^th birthday. As we had previously performed for the same lady’s 90^th, we took this as a compliment and took a good 40 choristers for the trip.

Following a slightly delayed start, the bus took the route over the Heads of the Valleys road (A465), along with its vast numbers of complex temporary roundabouts, thus making us arrive later than planned. However, the concert went ahead under the eye of previous MD Nick Rogers, with Gareth Widlake competently taking over as accompanist. Having had both language versions of ‘Happy Birthday’, Tegwen was presented with a card and a picture of the Gwalia singers. She gave a brief and lively speech and the music went down well.

It was a long trip, with a stop for food, liquid and song on the way back, with a couple of other unexpected delays, but we all hope that we’ll be asked back in another 5 years! Happy birthday, indeed, Tegwen, from the Gwalia Singers.

If Carlsberg did concerts....

Part of a perfect day

On Friday, June 2nd 2023, the Gwalia singers sang at the wedding of Ian and Rebecca in St Catherine's church, Gorseinon.  The weather was perfect, the sky was blue and cloudless and the bride and groom had, in the words of the wonderful Reverend Adrian Morgan, "scrubbed up well". The choir performed four songs during the arrival of guests before carrying out a tricky lateral manoeuvre to clear space for the  ceremony itself. 

The bride was fashionably late, giving time for choristers time to suck on a mint or two or sit for a moment before singing 'You Are So Beautiful' as Rebecca walked down the aisle. She was beautiful. 

The choir then retired to the stalls to muse over their own marriages, past, present or future, as Ian and Rebecca exchanged vows. The Reverend Morgan declared them man and wife and went on to profer excellent marital advice.

The choir left the stalls to line in their appropriate sections on one side of the church to sing while the couple signed the register. With the exception of one bass, the move went without incident given that the sections were randomly mixed in the choir stalls. The Gwalia's contribution to the wedding ended with 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' as Ian and Rebecca walked down the aisle to their new, married life. Musical Director Matthew Sims, in a post match interview, enthused that the performance had been 'Alright'.

Honoured to be invited

Proud to be Gwalia

Rings & Ruby

A Home Win

For Gwalia Singers, the lovely church of All Saints in Oystermouth is one that we consider ‘home’. We have held many concerts here and our Annual Concert on June 17th will be here yet again. With a large capacity, excellent acoustics and great facilities, this is a first rate venue. Also ‘home’ to us is the excellent charity for Marie Curie, one of our long-established groups of friends.

So, on the 11th March, when ‘Away’ victories were the trend (at least for Wales and France), it was a sweet taste of home success indeed. Despite Covid and other distractions, over 50 took to the stage and what an evening it was! The choir was on song, Musical Director Matthew brought the best out of all (as well as performing a popular solo verse himself), Rhian was as usual brilliant on the piano and Gareth spot on with the violin for the two established numbers. In addition, local saxophonist Mick Luck played a couple of fine sessions with some smooth music.

The evening ended with the large audience giving a standing ovation and then remaining standing to join in with the National Anthem, including the last lines under the direction of Matt, of course – followed by the final chorus with the accompaniment of the choir. An undeniable ‘home win’ and we hope for many similar fixtures in the future! The evening raised the grand amount of £2652 for the charity.  Thanks to the Marie Curie committee for organising such a lovely evening.

A Day at the Races

Sunday, March 5th introduced us to an interesting new type of venue. Whilst the Marx Brothers’ film of the above name was a renowned comedy, our experience was ‘funny’ in a different way! Despite very short notice, close on 40 of our rugged band made their way to the Ffos Las racecourse to take part in a ‘Proud to be Welsh’ day. We soon discovered that there were more than hurdles to be overcome!

Thankful that we were not, as originally suggested, to sing in the cold open air by the gates, we found ourselves inside one of the bars, immediately realising that the low ceiling was covered in polystyrene tiles, wonderful for damping sound. Any bar provides other distractions; the sound of ordering drinks, louder conversations etc., plus in this case the accompaniment of piped music to distract from our singing. We persevered and found a number of people paying attention and applauding in appreciation. Moving to our second bar, we found slightly better acoustics, but this time a competition with the racecourse’s loudspeaker system.

However, the boys persisted and ‘walked through the storm’ to deserve some applause and laudatory comments from some of those present. All we can say was that it was a new experience and we survived, our name was spread further and we made at least some new friends. On to the next with heads held high!

Serendipity

Looking Ahead.