HISTORY OF THE CHOIR
Background
The Choir, whose Welsh name means ‘Choir of the South African Sons of Wales, was formed in January 1978 by a group of expatriates. Its mission is to promote singing in the manner of Welsh choirs. A non-profit-making organisation made up of amateur choristers, our reward is to give enjoyment to others – as well as ourselves – through the medium of song.
The seeds were sown in late 1976 in the Killarney Hotel, Florida, Roodepoort. On Friday nights, about half a dozen of the local Welshmen organised a revival of the Welsh custom of informal sing-songs. In mid-1977, it was decided that the formation of a proper Welsh Choir should be considered. The group started rehearsing in the Durban Deep Gold Mines welfare facility. By the end of the year, the talented Rosa Roos (sadly now deceased) had become involved. Sponsorship was obtained from the Light Horse Regiment and in January 1978, rehearsals moved to the German Hall in the then Rand Show Grounds (now part of Wits University Campus).
After at least fifteen hundred concerts, the Choir now has a repertoire encompassing a broad musical spectrum, from opera to spirituals, popular songs to classics, show hits to religious pieces (particularly Welsh hymns). Welsh, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, German, Latin, Italian and French, are some of the languages sung. As well as various other concerts, performances have included numerous church services, television, & radio. The Choir also featured in the film ‘Heel Against the Head’.
After several changes in rehearsal venues over the years, the Choir now practices on Tuesday evenings at Marks Park Sport Club.
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Choir Highlights
1970’s
● From modest beginnings, in 1978, there were sixty-one members by 1979. Its commitment to the community was established very early on when, in 1980, with the Soweto Teachers’ Choir, ‘Soweto Meets the Red Dragon’ performances were held in Soweto and at the Johannesburg City Hall. The proceeds went towards the cost of sending the Soweto Choir to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
1980’s
● Cor Meibion Cymru’s first tour was in 1982, to the Western Cape. Concerts were held at Hermanus, Stellenbosch and Cape Town. Swaziland was also visited that year and two concerts given.
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● In 1986 the Choir accompanied the visiting ‘Jones Boys’ male voice choir, from Wales, on a country-wide tour.
● When the KwaZulu Heritage Foundation was raising funds to build a new school at Isandlwana (where the Welsh Regiment and Zulus fought, over a century before) the Choir travelled to give performances in 1989 and 1990. Singing with the local Zulu choirs, an additional honour was to appear before His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini Ka Bhakuzulu, King of the Zulus, and Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Chief Minister of Kwazulu. In 1989 Major Robert Smith of the Royal Regiment of Wales and, in 1990, Councillor G. Harding, Mayor of Brecon, represented the Welsh connection.
1990’s
● Namibia was visited twice in 1990. (During the first tour Cor Meibion Cymru led the singing from the field at the Namibia - Wales rugby international.)
● In 1992 the Choir received an invitation to tour Wales from none other than the late Sir Harry Secombe, on behalf of the Lords Taverners. Not only did the Choir perform six concerts in seven days, but we were part of the ‘Choir of the World’ at Cardiff Arms Park. Some 8000 choristers, with soloist Tom Jones, entertained an audience of around 30,000.
● 1993 saw the fourth entry for the Roodepoort International Eisteddfod – where a record score of 98% ensured the Choir took first place, ahead of the visiting British champions.
● In June 1995, the Choir accompanied Max Boyce, the Welsh comedian/folk singer, during his first visit to South Africa.
● On 2nd September 1995, the Choir again had the honour of singing the Welsh National Anthem with the touring Welsh rugby team, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, when they played the Springboks.
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● An invitation to attend the town of Hattingen’s 600th Anniversary celebrations triggered off the June 1996 visit to Germany, to give joint concerts with the Hattingen Youth Choir (who were hosted by Cor Meibion Cymru in 1992). The Choir then went on to sing with the Bolsterstone Male Choir in Yorkshire and the Trelawnyd Male Choir in North Wales.
● In June 1997 the Choir again accompanied Max Boyce, at the Linder Auditorium, on three successive evenings.
● 1998 was a very busy year for the Choir, with concerts at the South Coast, Hilton College, Nico Malan Theatre and Boschendal, Cape Town, and Stellenbosch, to list only a few.
2000’s
● In October 2000 the Choir took part in the memorable ‘Choir of 1000 Voices’ Millennium Concert, in The Royal Albert Hall, hosted by the London Welsh. This was followed by a most successful tour of Wales.
● In 2001 we had only one short, week-end tour, to Howick in KwaZulu- Natal, where we sang at a home for the aged
● In 2003, to celebrate the Choir’s Jubilee year, we undertook what was a very pleasant and successful tour by train to East London where we held our first concert, then bussed to Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Hermanus and, to end it off, a joint concert with the Cape Welsh, in the Cape Town City Hall.
● In 2006 the Choir undertook a 6-day bus tour of Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Margate.
● In 2007 we were invited to Ficksburg to help mark the centenary of a local church. We also visited the Drakensberg Boys School, to perform at the Music Festival.
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● Every year a highlight for the Choir members is the St. David’s Day concert at the Linder Auditorium, where we perform with various guest artists, ranging from soloists to orchestras. The 2008 concert ranks among the main highlights of the Choir’s, largely due to our having had the good fortune to acquire the services of Dr Alwyn Humphreys, M.B.E. (for 25 years conductor of the renowned Morriston Orpheus Choir, which conferred on him, in 2005, the title of Conductor Emeritus).
● 2009 we sang with the touring British Lions Choir at the Linder Auditorium under the baton of Hayden James. Our first DVD was produced after this concert
2010’s
● In 2013 The choir was asked to perform as a support act to the visiting UK artist Katherine Jenkins in her two concerts held in Johannesburg. To share the stage with a performer that has entertained royalty, heads of state and the elite of this world is indeed an accolade… we are sure Ms. Jenkins is proud of the occasion.
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● 2016 we were invited to Kwa Thema outside Springs to join the East Rand Symphony Choir in their annual festival. The Choir’s performance was greeted with dancing in the isles and loud ululations of appreciation.
● 2017 the Choir undertook a tour to Cape Town going down to the Cape from Durban on the MSC Sinfonia, where the Choir gave two performances in the cruise ship’s theatre. Two further performances were given in Cape Town, where the proceeds of the concerts were donated to the citizens of Hermanus who lost their houses in a fire, which devastated the township.
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● 2018 the Choir’s 40th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than to invite Dr Alwyn Humphreys to once again conduct our St David’s Day concert, on this occasion held in the Roodepoort Theatre. The full house showed their appreciation of both Choir and Dr Humphreys with a lengthy standing ovation at the close of the event. Truly a memorable way to celebrate this Jubilee.
● 2018 we were invited to participate in the Modimolle Male Choir Festival in Limpopo together with five other Choirs. Our performance to a capacity filled Castle De Wildt was greeted with a standing ovation.
2020’s
● Updates to follow soon!
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