Many Congratulations on your 50th.
Many Congratulations on your awards and achievements you have been awarded.
Many Congratulatios over the many friends you have made.
Fond memories of Noel, and every best wish to Clive and you all for the next 50 years.
Thank you for coming to Guildford Cathedral last Saturday night. You have helped me fulfil one of my life's dreams - always wanted to listen to a Welsh male choir live. The CD's are just not quite the same! I hope to get the chance to hear you again soon.
Thank you so much for making the trip to Guildford - what a fantastic evening, enhanced by the beautiful singing of Gary Griffiths. A brilliant evening!
Just back from Guildford Cathedral - what a fantastic concert, we thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening - Garry was marvellous and the choir rang out with the style, sensitivity and sound that only a wonderful Welsh male voice can (under the superb control of Clive of course). Brilliant night boys, Thank you :)
Just returned from your concert at Guildford Cathedral, absolutely brilliant!
There is nothing quite like a Welsh Male voice choir to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Thank you.
Have the diary date 2nd.October to see and hear you in Lincoln Cathedral. The date is not yet on their website. Congratulations for having it on yours.
Sunday, March 7th at 9am Spanish time. A program has been scheduled including excerpts from one of your CD's. Francis Butler will present, he was one of those presented with a brthdat present CD from Clive on Sunday night. TALK RADIO EUROPE. Hope you enjoy. Best to you all Howard.
Hi, just to say how much we enjoyed the concert in Fuengirola on Saturday 27th Feb 2010. Not only did the choir sound amazing but they also kept us entertained in the bar afterwards with their...er...welsh humour....lol We had a great time and will make an effort to see them again if they visit the costa del sol or if we get to the UK.
Feb 27th and Feb 28 2010, the most excellent sounds of Welsh Male choir resounded through the streets of Fuengirola, Southern Spain. What a choir, what a wonderful crowd of men (plus Rhiannon of course!) Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their excellent repertoire and are impatient for a further visit. I bought 3 cd's to take on holiday, cant wait to listen. HJ
What a fantastic evening in Fuengirola last night, Sunday 28th Feb. The concert was amazing but the singing afterwards in the bar was out of this world. It was a priveledge to be there to listen to you all. Many congratulations - an evening I will never forget!
Thank you to organisers and Choir for a wonderfully entertaining concert in Fuengirola on saturday evening. Your singing was superb and so was the accompaniament. We can thoroughly reccomend the CD's too.
It would be great to see you at a venue in Mid Wales in the future.
Enjoy your stay in Spain. Cyfarchion ar Ddydd Gwyl Dewi
Myself and five girlfriends attended your concert at salon varieties Fuengirola spain on sunday 28th March,thankyou so much for such an enjoyable evening,hope you will be back next year.
Best wishes to you all
Jean gomez @ friends
Sorry folks, senior moment, I meant to also compliment your pianist Rhiannon, not only did she play well but also sang all the items and followed them on her sheet music.
She was also the best looking chorister,
liked the dress too.
Best regards
Gethin.
Hi Folks,
We have just arrived home after a great concert in Fuengirola. We really enjoyed the concert and esppecialy the great Glee Club session afterwards, a bit better than Wales as you preformed well in both halves
Thank you all for my birthday C D although I do not get a birthday this year. The web address on the bag helped me find you.
We will see you all again later today for lunch.
Jan & Gethin.
PS.
To those of you left in Wales, do not let the tourists kid you that the weather was good, this has been the wettest winter on record. It even meant that we had to stay in the bar after the concert to avoid the rain, what a bu@@er.
attended a concert last night in the Brangwyn Hall with Diane Davies and absolutely entralled with the standard of singing and the whole evening.Have not enjoyed anything quite like this for many years and so glad to have been able to experience the sound and control of the choir.Well done everyone!!!!!
Singing Optician Bottom Bass 1968/71Still in contact with John Mehegan and still singing! Daughter now lives in Blackmill Bridgend so look out for a visit. Noel was an inspiration.
We both thank you very much for your warm Welsh welcome at your practise evening Wednesday 26 October.Thank you also to the very kind gentleman who drove us back to our car parked in James Street. Hope the electricians have completed their work allowing you all to return ''home'' We look forward to seeing you all in Lincoln Cathedral 2nd.October 2010
Llongyfarchiadau ar y dudalen we. Dęs i yma o broffil Wikipedia am Bontarddulais. Falch iawn i weld cynnwys dwyieithog hefyd! Cofion cynnes nôl i'r Bont.
Visited the practise room as a guest of Terry Hale. It was great to see and hear Mr Curwen's solfa in use particularly as so few choirs use this very effective learning tool today
Raised in Cannock, Staffs and introduced to Welsh choral singing as a young church chorister, this love of Welsh voices has continued to grow in me. Emigrating to NZ in 1965, I was lucky enough to be a founder member of the Auckland Welsh Choir, and then a group of eight formed '' Seland Newydd Singers'' singing at private functions etc. I have a large collection of CDs recorded by Welsh choirs, among them many contributions by Pontarddulais MC. You, as a choir, have a wonderful sound, a marvellous repertoire..Please continue to entertain, invoking Hiraeth.. Tony Watson, English by birth, Welsh by inclination.. Thank you..
An Ex Waunarlwydd man living in Norway for the past 37 years I was given your website by Mr Emyr Daniel who I had the pleasure of meeting in Llandybie and here in Norway. I once sang in Norways second oldest choir , that's how Emyr and I met.
We are delighted to announce the arrival of Sofia Ramos who was born at 11.26pm on Friday 19th June weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce. Mum and Baby doing well Dad still up in the clouds.
We only saw you last Wednesday and you demonstrated your power over us agian with your magificent singing prowess. Many mermories of Swansea came flooding back as you preformed your traing pieces for the concert. to come. Your welcome was warm and we my dad and me were taken with your collective harmony and rythum. We hope to become Patrons, but could you give me some more information about life patrons. Thankyou again. Tim and Gordon Akers
Thank you to everyone who gave money for my Race for Life. Greatly appreciated!
Looking forward to the next concert,
Kasia
(Gareth's fiancee - once he buys a big enough ring)
Whilst in Weston Super Mare last weekend with the City of Chester Male Voice Choir, where we did a joint concert with the Cheddar MVC, I visited the town centre. Whilst there my wife and I came across a CD/Video sale by the Winter Gardens. Yes, you have guessed right, we came across your CD ''Welsh Male Voices sing Gerswin''. What a wonderful CD it is. My wife is a Hospital Radio DJ and she is going to do a feature of your choir this Tues and play the CD. Keep up the good work, and we both hope to hear your Choir in person some time. Kind Regards Eric (Longworth). P.S. you have an excellent web site.
Thanks for the excellent sound you give. I have a cd with a song called Diolch I'r Ior can you please give if possible the origin of this song and is it possible that the song has been recorded in English.
Once the sound you produce makes me proud to be Welsh.... Thank you
I've just returned from hearing a splendid performance in Boston Stump by you gentlemen. My lads Nathan & Trevor 8 and 5 also insisted on coming and we'll be singing along to the CDs for years to come!! Loved Christus Salvator, not heard it before, we hope to hear you again soon!
Charles & Boys!
My father (Jack Voaden) was born and grew up in Grovesend and moved to Coventry before the War. When the choir were on tour, I took him to Birmingham and Warwick to listen to the choir sing. He found his way backstage to speak to some of the lads - he said he knew them! He died many years ago, but I still love the music.
Thank you to all your members who sponsored my son and I to go to South Africa to build homes for the homeless. It was extremly hardwork but so rewarding for us and for them. The heat was fab, the work was hard, the poverty was unbelievable. The children in the local orphanage were so content with nothing and so greatful when we left our excess clothing and all my sons toys!
THANK YOU AGAIN for you valuable support.
Have just come down to earth from last Saturday's concert. IIt was superb and we were both very emotional. I lived in ''the Bont'' through my teenage years and was called ''Margaret, the Vicarage!''. I was in the mixed youth choir from which the male voice was formed with Noel Davies in charge! I also had singing lessons with him, and John did his teaching practice with Noel at Killay!
It was great to see so many familiar faces and some not so familiar and thanks again for a wonderul concert. We will listen to our new CDs most probably with tears running down our faces.
I attended the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff back in August and had the pleasure of being introduced to Clive Philips your distinguished conductor, by Eric Jones. (Many moons ago, Eric and I traveled on the same school bus to Gowerton Grammar School).
My uncle was Ieuan Williams who preceded Eric as president of the Pontarddulais Male Voice choir!
It will be 35 years this summer since I left the Bont. There are many familiar names amongst the choir members with whom, if I were to come face to face, no doubt I’d remember. Mr. Huw Philpot for one attended Pontarddulias Welsh Primary School with me and was in the same class as my brother Jeffrey. Mr. Islwyn Thomas, if my memory serves me well, is originally from Grovesend. Other members such as Mr. John Walters, Mr. Vernon Lewis (whose daughter Janet, I was very friendly with), Mr. Maybery Evans & Mr. Ifor Miles frequented the same chapel as myself.
Perhaps you could let Vernon & Ifor know that I send them my regards. Both these gentlemen lived on the same street as I did.
Fondest wishes from down south in the Mediterranean,
I heard the choir on a recent Sunday half hour on radio 2, when you sang the Holy City.
I have played, sung and heard many renditions of that song, but yours was the absolutely brilliant. keep up the good work
Andrew
Lyn has asked me to include in our guestbook an extract of a letter I have received from MARY CARROLL an ardent supporter of the choir who lives in Victoria, Canada, and who accommodated several members when we toured Western canada.
''Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your package arrived in the mail today and I was thrilled to receive the two CDs. I have played both of them already and I have to tell you I shed tears when I heard 'Men of Harlech,' 'Calon Lan' and 'Cwm Rhonda.' My neighbour came in and we were sharing a cup of tea while I had 'Songs of Wales' playing. I told her nobody in the world sings like the Welsh, that God left something of Himself in it when He fashioned the Welsh voice. I treasure these CDs and will play them often, as I do the cassette tapes of the choir.
Thanks also for the pictures. They're very good. I went into the choir website and found the one of David and me. That was indeed a pleasant surprise. My thanks also for the choir Christmas card. It sits front and foremost of my card display.
I was delighted to have news of the men I knew in the choir. I well remember Keith Jones. He was such a happy soul and laughing all the time I was saddened to hear of his passing and of Huw Morgan's. The heavenly choir will be greatly enhanced by the addition of those two dear men. I have just finished reading 'How Green Was My Valley' and 'Huw Morgan' was the central character. Wonderful to hear of the choir winning the National Eisteddfod Prize again. I am not surprised.
Please know that I wish for all of you blessings at Christmas and always.
My late mother, Beverly Jean (Preston) Jenkins and I visited Pontarddulais (with my friends Jan & Bev of Southgate, London, England in October of 1982. We were staying with my cousin John Jenkins and his late wife. They took us to the Fountain inn Pub, which John & Audrey ran for several years (and prior to that by a late auntie. We had a lovely time and suddenly, the Pontarddulais male Choir came in for a few pints after practice at the local school. The next thing we knew the choir was serenading us. Mama said, ''I feel like we're being presented our very own private concert!''. To that, John said witha smile, ''You are.''
They sang ''Dream'' and ''Going Home'' (among others). I said, ''I with Daddy were still alive, he would have loved this!'' He was so very proud of his Welsh heritage (his grandfather came from Wales and eventually settled on a farm in Oakville, Washington USA-ironically across the road from my Mama's ancestor's home!). My mother was so intrigued by the beautiful cashmere sweaters (jumpers) that all the gents in the choir were wearing. I just wanted to shout a hello (I just love the lilting was the Welsh say ''hello'') to one and all and maybe some of my remaining cousins in the area will see this. Hello, Phillip! I still have the records you gave me at the pub (after you stood on the table and sang!).
All the Best! And gentlermen of the choir, you ARE the BEST!
Hiya jus a lil message to say really enjoyed listening to you all when you came down to winslow and sang in the pub (the bell). and a massive thanks to Richie for all the drinks you brought me it was really nice of you!! and was great talkin to you all. i'll deffinatly be coming to see you soon at some point. All the best for the future.
We had the pleasure of meeting ''Dai Twice'' and co in the pub after the concert and were treated to some wonderful singing (the pub acoustics do not do you all justice!). Thanks for making our evening. All the best.
Thank you for yet another memorable concert at Winslow on Saturday evening.
It was in 1959, that as a post graduate
student at University College, Swansea,
I undertook a placement at the County Youth Centre, and listened in awe to the Youth Choir, under the leadership of Noel Davies, then the Assistant Warden. Happy days - fond memories - the foundation days of the choir.
A stunning evening. The best choir in Wales with guest soloist Kate Woolveridge and Gary Griffiths. It doesn't get any better. My sincere thanks to you all.
The choir, accompanists and conductor gave an excellent performance as usual, at the concert in the Brangwyn last week but what is happening behind the scenes? A question, who ordered and took delivery of the programmes? I know time is flying by but 2009!
Fantastic performance today at the Millennium Stadium, you should be proud of the fact you are the best Male choir in Wales without any question. No other choir could have performed with such passion in their singing as you showed today. Excellent !!
I have just been listening to the Morning Service on BBC Radio 4, and congratulate your choir on their splendid contribution. I listen to this broadcast most Sundays, and can't remember ever before hearing the music provided solely by a men's choir - someone has clearly gone to a lot of trouble to find, or write, good TTBB arrangements for all the hymns.
Ronnie Stuart
Conductor, Clydebank Male Voice Choir
My husband organised the Choir to visit Portugal in the 1970s and I have never forgotten the magic of hearing them singing. Are there any members still who went on that trip? Also, I have only tapes of the Choir, which are getting old with use, but can't see the familiar songs on the CDs now on sale. How can I transcribe my tapes? And does the Choir ever sing in the SE of England? It is my dream to hear the Choir sing again live!
My husband and I hosted Dave Daniel when the choir was in New Mexico in the early 90's, sponsored by the Welsh Club here. I play your music often and am looking forward to receiving this album. Also ordered one for my Welsh sister and daughter.
I am very proud to have grown up in the Bont. Now I live in Thornbury near Bristol,and am really, really pleased that the Bont Male Voice Choir is maintaining its success. i think I may soon join the Dursley Male Voice if you know them?
All the best. Ian ''Dick'' Davies- son of ''Nev Bach''
For those who`ve not heard, I`m sure you`ll join me in congratulating Gary Griffiths who won the Pantyfedwen Competition at Lampeter Eisteddfod on Monday. Well done Gary and keep up the good work!
On behalf of the Former Players Assoc. May I congratulate your choir members along with your committee and officials for yet another succssful Eisteddfod.
Please pass this on to your colleagues and wish them well for the future.
On behalf of Bridgend Male Choir. I write to congratulate yout choir's success at the National Eisteddfod.
Unfortunately, I was unable to congratulate Clive personnally yesterday and would be most grateful if you would extend to him my personnal message of congratulation.
I would be grateful if you you would also pass on our best wishes to the choir.
I loved your performance on Saturday -- and a well deserved win. As a non-Welsh speaker (I'm Cornish) I was rather in the dark about what you were actually signing. Can you tell me what your programme was ? I would love to get a recording of the opening piece, William Mathias I think.
Dyddiad:
15/07/2010 am 19:15:00
