SEVENTY WELSH VOICES TAKE TO TORREVIEJA STAGE THIS SUMMER.

Culture

Press Release / 2012-07-31 14:10:38

Cardiff Blues Choir May 2012

FROM THE MILLENIUM STADIUM TO TORREVIEJA.

“CôR y GLEISION / CARDIFF BLUES CHOIR”:- Introduction:
The Choir was formed in 2006 from rugby fans of all ages, singing abilities and walks of life from the Cardiff Blues rugby region for the purpose of a Welsh television series, CodiCanu, produced by the Welsh channel 4, S4C. The concept of the series was to promote singing on rugby terraces across Wales.

Whilst many members had never sung in a choir before the experience was so positive that when the series ended in 2008 the Cardiff Blues Choir continued to grow, attracting new members and developing its repertoire, singing at the National Eisteddfod, in local Eisteddfodau, community events and at International and Regional rugby matches under the leadership of dedicated Musical Directors.

The choir rehearses weekly under the musical direction of Richard Vaughan and assistant musical director / accompanist Rhiannon Pritchard. This has ensured the choir’s continued development and has seen their repertoire become more diverse and challenging. It now includes classical and contemporary songs in many languages (including Welsh, English, Latin, French, African, and Maori).

The choir currently boasts over 100 members, around 70 of whom will take to the stage during this summer’s tour to Torrevieja.
Honours:
The choir won first place in the mixed choir class at the North Wales Choral Festival in Llandudno in 2007 and second prize in 2009, and in between the choir won second place at the Pontrhydfendigaid Eisteddfod in May 2008, whilst securing third place at the Cardigan Eisteddfod in 2010.

In November 2011 the choir again won first in the mixed choir class at the North Wales Choral Festival.
Most recently the choir competed at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts, in May 2012, winning the Mixed Choir class against very good competition.

Please see the attached link to You Tube for CARDIFF BLUES’ recent performance in Llandudno in November 2012.
http://youtu.be/vP3egirgOJk

Community Engagement:
The CARDIFF BLUES choir is committed to giving something back to the wider community and in addition to performances at many public events also raises money for several British charities. During their visit to Torrevieja, however, the choristers of ‘CARDIFF BLUES’ will be helping to raise much needed funds for our own association, ‘AFA’ towards the welfare of Alzheimer’s’ patients and their families.

Rugby:
Rugby is, of course, at the very heart of the choir and their affiliation to the Cardiff Blues. They regularly sing at home and away games and have performed at Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons where they were received with great enthusiasm. The choristers actively seek to foster links with English Premiership Clubs and to add to the atmosphere and occasion of cross border matches.

The CARDIFF BLUES choir has performed formally at international level; at the Wales v England match in August 2011 in Cardiff’s prestigious “Millennium Stadium”, the ERC Amlin Cup Final in 2011 in Cardiff and at Twickenham, London on the occasion of the EDF Cup Final in 2009. They were also invited to perform in venues around Cardiff on international match days, including the Wales Millennium Centre, restaurants and ‘hostelries’!

Forthcoming Events:
Looking forward through the remainder of 2012 the choir’s schedule is no less demanding and exciting than the first 6 months. They will be competing at the Aberteifi Festival in June, performing at the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol in the Vale of Glamorgan during early August, and are embarking on concert tour to Torrevieja in Spain later the same month.

Torrevieja Concerts:
- MONDAY 20th AUGUST at 20.45h in the Parrish church of the Inmaculada Concepción situated in the main Plaza de la Constitución in the centre of Torrevieja.
- WEDNESDAY 22nd August at 20.30h in the auditorium of the Palacio de La Música, Torrevieja. Admission to this concert is 3€ and all proceeds are dedicated to AFA (Alzheimer’s Association).