FROM the superb first moments of the concert – which caused the hairs on the back of your neck stand up – to the final standing ovation, the visit of Côr Glanaethwy to mid Wales was a tremendous success.

At the invitation of the Builth Male Voice Choir, the Bangor-based visitors entertained a capacity audience at the Pavilion in Llandrindod Wells on Saturday, November 4.

They were welcomed by BMVC chairman Viv Jones, who acknowledged that the effect of the recent fire tragedy in Llangammarch Wells was at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts.

He continued with a brief mention of the visitors’ success in ‘Last Choir Standing’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Members of the Builth choir acted as stewards for the evening.

The 60-strong choristers included a very active youth section, and performed a wide variety of numbers both in Welsh and English. They ranged from ‘Gwawr Wedi Hirnos’, ‘Cantelina’ and ‘Hwylio Drwy Y Nen’ to ‘Reach’ and ‘The Rhythm of Life’ and featured some very talented solo singers, a cappella arrangements and a piano recital by Becca Keen.

Their impressive vocal achievements were matched by the extremely well-rehearsed presentation, which included backing by organ recordings and accompaniment from Ellen Wyn Keen.

Each number was introduced by conductor Cefin Roberts, who paid tribute to local residents who recently campaigned for the reopening of the Pavilion, and said that members of the Côr Glanaethwy choir would remember this concert for a long time.

After a fund-raising raffle Viv Jones described how the visit had emanated from discussions nearly a year ago, when the Builth Choir’s accompanist Ann Bufton heard Côr Glanaethwy sing at the Royal Welsh Showground. She and her husband Colin were the prime movers in persuading the North Wales choir to stage this charitable concert.

They were therefore invited to make the presentations of cheques for £1,500 to each of the nominated charities, the Bracken Trust and the Builth Wells Community Support.

The Builth Male Voice Choir extended thanks to Roger Watson of Watson Financial for his generous sponsorship, to BSB Sound Limited for fantastic support and to Jase Hawker of the Pavilion for co-operation in staging the event.

As a final thank you Viv Jones presented a commemorative plaque to Cefin Roberts.

KATHIE RICHARD-JONES