WATCH: World-class choir wows Alberton
Even their vocal warm-ups had people all-ears.
ON Saturday, May 6, the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa put on a mesmerising show at the Alberton Methodist Church.
Cor Meibion Cymru De Affrig is the choir’s Welsh name, which means ‘Choir of the Sons of Wales, South Africa’.
The choir holds the honour of being the first outside the United Kingdom to be awarded membership of the prestigious Welsh Association of Male Choirs by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales – and here they were in Alberton.
WATCH:
One could not help but listen, in sheer amazement, to the 26 men singing in perfect harmony. Even their vocal warm-ups had people all ears. By 2pm, the church was filled with community members who were eager to listen and didn’t mind paying a small entrance fee.
The choir was formed in January 1978 by a group of expatriates. Its mission is to promote singing in the manner of Welsh choirs. It is a non-profit organisation made up of amateur choristers and its reward is to provide others – as well as themselves – with joy through the medium of song.
No form of remuneration is received by choristers. Performances are given mainly to raise money for service, charity or educational organisations.
Currently, the number of members stands at 40, few of whom are of Welsh culture. However, the Welsh Choral tradition is strictly upheld.
After at least a 1 000 concerts, the choir now performs across a broad musical spectrum, from opera to spirituals, popular songs to classics, show hits to religious pieces (particularly Welsh hymns). Welsh, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, German, Latin, Italian and French are some of the languages sung. In addition to various other concerts, performances have included numerous church services and television and radio performances. The choir also featured in the film Heel Against the Head.
During the days of the Roodepoort International Eisteddfod, in four entries, the choir gained second places in 1981 and 1985, then firsts in 1987 and 1993.
The choir looks forward to visiting Alberton again in the future and thanks everyone who came to support them on Saturday. The CHRONICLE will notify the community of the choir’s next visit, so keep an eye open and don’t miss their next show!
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