This month sees the launch of a brand new festival right in the heart of Brecon.

Brecon Choir Festival will be taking place over the weekend of July 22-24 and will bring three rousing choir concerts to the town, as well as introducing young soloists at the start of their singing careers.

The weekend also promises the opportunity for community participation so everyone has a chance to stretch their vocal cords and take part. This includes a singing musical tour, which will walk around the town on the afternoon of Saturday, July 23, as well as two Afterglows in The Clarence Inn on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The festival is part of the celebrations for big anniversary years for Dunvant and Aberhonddu & District Male Voice Choirs who are singing at the cathedral on Saturday evening, which also features in concert the Talgarth Male Choir and Alive & Kickin’ Community Choir, The Neuadd at Christ College, the Brecon Singers in Christ College’s chapel, as well as the cathedral choir at their Sunday Evensong.

Derek Price, chairman of Aberhonddu & District Male Voice Choir, said: “What a wonderful weekend this promises to be for Brecon, so much to enjoy whether singer or listener.

“The Choir is enthusiastically looking forward to making a contribution to this musical festival in its home town”

Brecon Buzz, a Community Interest Company that was set up in the midst of the Covid pandemic is delighted to be enabling this festival.

Punch Maughan, one of the directors of Buzz said: “One of the aspirations on Buzz’s Community Interest Statement was to create and support events, building the positive experience of the town for visitors and residents with a focus on culture, art, history and connection.

“This inaugural choir festival ticks all of those boxes and also responds to our hope of finding new ways of working, with different people to add to the offering of the town.

“When we were approached by Martyn Thomas of Christ College, Brecon who had originally conceived the idea and Josh Games, a past pupil of the school and member of Eschoir in London we saw a perfect opportunity.”

Brecon Buzz is very grateful for financial support from Brecon Town Council, sponsors Cut Classics and Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park and local businesses Llanfaes Dairy, The Grange Guest House and Priory Cottage AirBnB.

Gareth Pearson, head of Christ College, added: “Christ College is looking forward to hosting two concerts at our historic school, and we wish the Brecon Choir Festival every success. This festival will be great for Brecon”

As well as the musical walking tour on Saturday afternoon, choirs from Ysgol y Bannau, Llanfaes CP School and Sennybridge Young Farmers will be singing in Bethel Square.

Josh Games, speaking about his vision for the event, said: “Our aim all along has been to create a festival where everybody can participate. The walking tour of town with Eschoir and the two Afterglows are the perfect complement to our exciting concert line-up”

Encouraging young talent is very much part of the festival’s ethos and therefore both the Saturday lunchtime concert with Brecon Singers and the Grand Concert in the cathedral on Saturday evening will feature young soloists who are at the beginning of their singing careers.

Evensong in the cathedral at 3.30pm Sunday, July 24 will showcase the cathedral choir which has a talented group of young choristers.

To book tickets go to www.breconchoirfestival.co.uk