Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir held its Annual Concert to a packed Brangwyn Hall on Saturday 27th November.
The choir opened their performance with Gareth Glyn's ''Heriwn Wynebwn y Wawr'' which they sang in the Newport Royal National Eisteddfod where they won first prize. This was also the song that they were adjudicated on to win the Côr Yr Wyl (Choir of the Festival) at the Eisteddfod. They followed this with Brian Hughes' ''Bywyd y Bugail'', which they sang and won at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Guest artist Katherine Jenkins gave a superb performance singing songs from her albums including 'O Sole Mio, Habanera and Sequedilla. Both her albums have been number one in the classical album charts with her latest 'Second Nature' still at number one.
The Richard Williams singers gave a wonderful performance including their arrangement of Queens ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' and ''I will follow him'' from the film Sister Act.
17 year old Amir Bisengaliev playing on an 18th century Violin stole the hearts of the audience when he played an 'Introduction and Rondo from Capriccioso', the whole audience at the Brangwyn Hall leapt to their feet to give a well deserved standing ovation at the end of what can only be described as an outstanding performance from such a young talented musician.
The choir then sang Laudate Dominum with Katherine Jenkins, which was a moving experience for all.
At the end of the concert Katherine Jenkins spent time signing autographs in the foyer to hundreds of well wishers.
This is not the first time Katherine has performed with the Pontarddulais Male Choir, some six years ago a young but talented Katherine sang with us at the Pontardawe Arts Centre, she follows many other such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dennis O'Neil, Bryn Terfel, Rebecca Evans, Justin Hayward, Benjamin Luxom, Stuart Burrows, Willard White and many more who all performed with the Bont Choir early in their musical careers.
All 104 choristers were present on stage during the concert conducted by musical director Clive Phillips and accompanied by David Last and guest organist Huw Smitham. This was truly a remarkable concert reflecting the high standards expected from the Pontarddulais Male Voice. Their dedication and approach to coral singing has been rewarded this year in what must be the finest achievements any choir could ever wish for. This was summarised by Brian Hughes in his adjudication when he said, ''This is the best singing of male choirs I have heard for many years''
The Choir is now busy preparing for a number of Christmas concerts including Winslow on the 11th December, Pontarddulais Community Christmas Concert at Goppa Chapel on Sunday 19th December and the Brecon Carreg Christmas Wonderland at the Civic Hall Cardiff on Thursday 23rd December.
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