THE LIFE OF THE CHOIR
President
Mrs Lynda Thomas
Vice Presidents
Mr Trevor Foster
Mr Ieuan Jones
Mr Gordon Jones
Mrs Olwen Jones
Mr Howard Owen
Mr Tudor Vaughan
Chairman
John Rowles
Vice Chairman
Eifion Williams
Admin Secretary
David Weston
Concert Secretary
Alun Hart
Treasurer
Penant Davies
Assistant Treasurer
Peter Jones
Librarian
Gareth Jones
Publicity
Hugh Jones (Social Media) Alwyn Williams (press)
Musical Director and Conductor – Rhonwen Jones-Broom
Rhonwen is a delightful and determined leader of the choir. Her confident sensitivity, musical competence, and undoubted wit constantly remind us that we are truly fortunate to be under her direction. This is reflected in our growing repertoire and in our competition and concert singing.
Rhonwen is no stranger to the big stages. Not only is she an experienced chorister, singing with Penllys and Bro Gwerfyl mixed choirs but she has also made a name for herself singing as a soloist and duettist. She frequently sings solo or is Mrs Olwen Jones’s partner in duets at our concerts. It is a happy thing that she features on our list of soloists.
At the moment, Rhonwen is getting us ready for recording another CD.
Accompanist –
Margaret Davies our accompanist.
Deputy Conductor – John Browne
We always have with us in concerts our soloists:-
Maisie Davies
Maisie is from Llanfyllin and has been singing since her school days when she competed in solos, Cerdd Dant, recitations and group competitions. Success over the years competing led to singing lessons and classical training with Gloria Ellis. She has also been involved in Musical Theatre such as the Welsh Schools Edition of Les Miserables, Cats, and West Side Story in the role of Maria. More recently, in 2023 she sang in Titanic the Musical at the Theatre Severn.
She has also partnered with Richard Lewis as ‘Welsh Tenor and Soprano Duo’ and they enjoyed success in the Gwyl Dant in Llanfyllin in 2022. They also sang with the choir on previous occasions such as our Grand Concert in 2023.
And within the the choir,
Mr Garry Evans
is from the second tenor section and sings some of the solo parts of particular Choir items such as “The Silver Trumpet”. He also sings a beautiful duet, ‘Ti a Fi’, with Rhonwen.
Mr Ifan Owen
Ifan sings in the bass section and sings solos in ‘Working Man’ and other songs such as ‘Bless this House’, ‘God’s Mercy’ and ‘If I Can Help Somebody’.
Mr Eifion Williams
is our Stage Manager and makes sure that we arrive on stage in good order.
Mr Huw Morris
makes sure that everyone and everything is in order when Eifion is unable to lead us.
Mr David Thomas
is our concert Compere whose fund of impeccable funny stories sets the scene for what is always an enjoyable occasion.
Alwyn Williams
Our Press Correspondents and, when we have a Welsh engagement, Alwyn draws on a lifetime in the world of education when he takes over the role of Compere.
MEMBERS AND DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF THE CHOIR
The Choir as a whole makes decisions regarding concerts, trips, joint events and such like during the interval at each rehearsal and we are in that way completely democratic.
Our history and geography indicate that we are largely a choir of farmers and rural craftsmen but that does not preclude other occupations. It is a matter of some amusement, when we are introduced, that we could call on the services of a Headmaster, Doctor, Dentist, Banker, Lawyer, and Undertaker. And yes, we do admit Englishmen!
BECOMING A CHORISTER
We are always open to receiving new recruits who are welcomed into the most suitable section for their voice. Why not just come along and site and listen? There is an initial uncommitted period which gives both the Musical Director, and the hopeful, an informal opportunity to assess whether it is wise to continue. It is a great deal of fun – why not give it a try?
We rehearse on a Wednesday at the Village Hall, 8pm.