A Brecon based choir have released a new album, which includes Welsh hymns and struggles faced during the Covid pandemic.

The Aberhonddu and District Male Choir, or ‘Voices of the Beacons’ recorded the album over a weekend in Crai Hall. To some it was a completely new experience to perform and record with so much equipment surrounding them.

The album is named after one of the songs, Haul ar y Llanne (Sun on the Parishes), which was commissioned by the Choir in 2021. The words were written by Twm Morys and music composed by Richard Vaughan, and it was supported by Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed. The words convey the difficult times suffered during the Covid pandemic and the parishes of Brecknock were silenced and still. Happily, towards the end of the composition, the bells ring out across the land once again and normality resumes.

The album was produced by Cobra Music Studios. Jordan Day-Williams, producer, said: “Working on this album with ADMC has been a genuine joy. We set out to create something that celebrates the choir’s unique identity while showcasing the breadth of their repertoire – from traditional Welsh hymns to the newly commissioned Haul ar y Llanne. It’s a collection that reflects the heart and heritage of the group, and I feel privileged to have played a part in bringing it to life.”

A music video has been created to promote the new composition and to showcase the beautiful landscape around Brecon.

Jason Elberts (Jet Productions) filmed the choir on a cold, windy morning in March on Mynydd Illtyd Common, with spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons in the background. The video was supported by a grant from the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA) Sustainable Development Fund. The fund supports projects that help improve quality of life in communities – protecting and enhancing the local environment, helping people to live healthy and fulfilled lives now and in the future. For more information, see: https://beacons-npa.gov.uk/communities/substainable-development-fund/

Barbara Anglezarke, Sustainable Development Fund Officer for BBNPA said: “We were delighted to support the choir’s promotional video with the grant. As well as promoting the choir itself, the culture and tradition it is part of, and the magnificent Bannau Brycheiniog landscape, a local film maker was employed to undertake the work. The choir relies on the tremendous efforts of its volunteer members and is a much-valued part of our local community. The film itself and the voices are tremendous – it’s great that they are being showcased in this way.”

The video can be seen on YouTube (@breconmalechoir) or on the choirs website: www.breconchoir.co.uk

The choir has been busy recently on the run up to launching the album, with a joint concert with Onllwyn MVC in Sennybridge. The concert supported the Breconshire friends of Prostate Cymru. The choir also welcomed Croydon MVC to Brecon in mid-May as they celebrated their 50th anniversary with a tour to Wales. The concert was held in the Plough Chapel and supporting the Brecon and District Mind. On both occasions £500 was raised for the charities.

They have a busy summer and autumn ahead with many events including the Brecon Choir Festival weekend in July and a trip to the Dolomites, Northern Italy, to perform with Coro Fodom who visited Brecon last year.

The Choir are looking forward to sharing the new album, as well as performing at the various concerts and events coming up this year.

The album can be purchased online through Amazon or is available through multiple streaming services. The CD can be purchased by contacting Marc Williams (Secretary) [email protected]