The Bryncoch Male Voice Choir was formed in 1982 and its reputation has been enhanced annually.
The Choir has travelled abroad 5 times: to Germany (1988), to Holland (1990), to Canada (1992), and during Holy Week in 1995 they were in Spain, performing in and around Torrevieja. This led to an invitation to participate in the forty-third International Habaneras Festival (1997), the first ever British Choir to receive such an invitation. Memorable engagements include concerts at the New Galleries, London with the Band of the Royal Marines; the Medway Arts Centre at Chatham; Oxford Town Hall and Beknheim Palace Chapel. Performances have also been given in the Cathedrals at Brecon, Swansea, Chester and the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool.
The Choir is no stranger to large venues, having appeared at the Royal Albert Hall; St. David’s Hall, Cardiff; Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, and at the Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port. Recently, successful engagements have been undertaken at the Upton-Upon-Severn Jazz Festival, where they were hosted by the Earl and Countess of Coventry who are the Choir’s Patrons.
In the competitive field, the Choir has also enjoyed some success, having twice won the First Prize at the prestigious Lampeter Eisteddfod. The 1997 Torrevieja Competition pitted the Choir against some of the finest choral groups in the world, and although they were no prize-winners, the Bryncoch Choir received favorable acclaim from audiences and also from the international panel of judges.
The Musical Director, Miss Rachel Perkins, took up the Choir’s baton at a very crucial time – a mere three week prior to the 1997 Torrevieja competition. She has been the Choir’s accompanist for only two years, but took on the challenge with complete confidence. The young and talented musician hails from Glynneath and studied at Trinity College, Carmarthen. Rachel now lives in Bryncoch and is also the current Musical Director of Resolven Amateur Operatic Society, having been a prominent performer with them for several seasons.
Accompanist Miss Emma West as left the Choir to continue her studies at Cardiff University and we wish her every success for the future.
The Choir was most fortunate in acquiring the services of Mr Howell Rees as a replacement for Emma as accompanist. Howell as extensive experience and is widely respected throughout Wales as a musician of the highest order. The Choir would also like to thank Mrs Norma Morris for her enormous contribution as replacement Musical Director and accompanist whilst Rachel was absent on maternity leave.
The Choir has developed friendly relationships with many groups, notably in Texas and Maryland, U.S.A.; Iceland; Toronto, Canada; Esslingen, Germany; Scheidam, Holland; and also with the South Africa Male Choir, and are “twinned” with several Male Voice Choirs in both England and Wales.
A great deal of their work is done for Charities, and to date over fifty thousand pounds have been raised by the Choir for a wide range of deserving causes.
Unfortunately owing to business and family commitments Rachel Perkins has left the Choir, to be replaced by Mr Ian Rhys-Parker a young man who we are convinced will continue to maintain the high standards demanded by Rachel during her time as Musical Director.Ian is a multi talented musician who over the last year as fulfilled our expectations completely, we are indeed fortunate to have the services of this young man.
Update
After a a stay of two years Ian- Rhys –Parker. as left the Choir, to further his Musical Studies at Cardiff University, he takes with him the very best wishes of B.M.V.C.
Ian has now been replaced by Mrs Sandra Knight, as Musical Director, the Choir has indeed been fortunate in acquiring the services of Mrs Knight and we are confident she will take the Choir forward to a successful future.
In September 2006 the Choir travelled to Scotland performing at Kenmay. Helping to raise funds for Kenmay Church restoration. The trip and Concert turned out to be an outstanding success. In recent years the choir as continued its charity work throughout the community and also performed at Plymouth, Torquay and Cheltenham to name a few places.
In 2012 the choir celebrated its 30th anniversary with a concert at St Mathews Church. This event proved to be not only a successful evening regarding the musical content But also very nostalgic, particularly for the seven founder members who are still with the choir to day.
2015 Was a busy year for the Choir having travelled to Plymouth and Oxford, raising considerable funds for various charities. In December, Mr Hywel Rees informed the choir that he intended to retire Hywel has been a wonderful servant to the choir and will be greatly missed And we wish him a long and happy retirement..
