The Welsh Male Voice choir
EMMARENTIA – The non-profit making organisation made up of amateur choristers' reward is to give enjoyment to others – through the medium of song.
NMT29BSwelshvoicechoir
Bonakele Sithole
bonakeles@caxton.co.za
EMMARENTIA –The Welsh Male Voice Choir consists of a generation passionate about music and willing to share their love and experience with the public. The close-knit family-like choir has had a lot of experience and performed around the world but is still humble to bring their music back home.
As a non-profit organisation made up of more mature amateur choristers, their enjoyment is meant for others – in that way they are giving back and honing their love for music. The Welsh name means ‘Choir of the South African Sons of Wales’ and was formed in January 1978 by a group of its members.
Josephine Walsh, the choir conductor who has been with the choir for over year now said, “The main thing is by making sure the choir harmonises well together, guide their different dynamics and interpret the songs for a way that is best suited for the choir.”
Walsh holds a degree in music and has been teaching the discipline for a long time now. “I am a piano and flute teacher and very involved in music.”
The choir is looking for more males to join the group that practises weekly on a Tuesday at Marks Park in Emmarentia. After many concerts, the choir now has a repertoire encompassing a broad musical spectrum – from opera to spirituals – and composes popular songs from classics, religious pieces (particularly Welsh hymns). English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, German, Latin, Italian and French in the songs sung. The choir also featured in the film, Heel Against the Head.
In 2018 they were invited to participate in the Modimolle Male Choir Festival in Limpopo together with five other choirs. They were able to perform to a capacity- filled venue and greeted with a standing ovation.
The choir’s 40th anniversary in 2018 was celebrated by inviting Dr Alwyn Humphreys to conduct their St David’s Day concert, held at the Roodepoort Theatre. The full house showed their appreciation of both the choir and Dr Humphreys with a lengthy standing ovation at the close of the event.
“A truly memorable manner in which to celebrate this jubilee,” said Walsh.
For any new prospective members, please contact one of the following: Paul Luke 0836753553, Talfryn Davies 0836433054, Jack Scholtz 0825822425 or visit cmcda.com for more information.
