Grand Concert ~ featuring Dunvant & Brecon Choirs, joined by Mared, Rose Datta, Branwen Jones and Llinos Haf Jones.
Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00pm.
Location: August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, 15222
Ticket Required, not covered by a NAFOW DayPass :
Adult ~ $50 / Youth (18 and under or student ID) included in the $15 Youth Weekend Pass.
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Côr Meibion Dyfnant / Dunvant Male Choir, the oldest continuously singing Welsh Choir, has the unique achievement of 129 years of unbroken history, enjoying the distinction of being the oldest in Wales with a continuous history. It was formed in January 1895 by a group of miners, steel-workers and quarrymen from the members of Ebenezer Chapel. It is the archetypal Welsh Choir that sprung naturally out of its community and the mould of the times.
Acknowledged as one of the nation’s more accomplished choirs, under the musical leadership of Jonathan Rogers since 2007, the choir has sustained its tradition of musical excellence. Its achievements are many having won all of the major choral competitions open to the nation’s male choirs. The choir has performed as the sole male choir at the Royal Albert Hall, the Chapel of King’s College Cambridge, the Chapel of Harvard University, the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto and in the ancient Cathedrals of Chichester, Exeter, Gloucester and Hereford. The characteristic ‘Dunvant Sound’ is the sound of Wales, a voice of the past, the present and, hopefully, the future that does not alter, or seek to impress with sentiments not our own. We will sing for and with our American hosts with all our hearts, for we know no other way. |
Côr Meibion Aberhonddu / Brecon Male Choir, we are a small choir of some 40 voices drawn from the rolling hills and valleys in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. We are the Voices of the Beacons. There has been a Male Voice Choir in Brecon since around the late 19th Century, but unfortunately in the early 1930s, choir numbers dropped and the choir nearly collapsed altogether. However, in 1937 the choir was refounded to the choir that we see today.
Aberhonddu Choir is still a busy and vibrant choir whose choristers are united by their love of singing together and sharing that joy with others. Drawing its members from both town and country the choir is always in demand both locally and abroad. Over the years we have seen the choir perform in the USA and also across Europe. We visited our Twin Town of Saline in Michigan, and have been on tour inIreland, Brittany, Denmark and Holland. Whilst nearer to home the choir has sung at such diverse locations as village halls, barns, and churches, to cathedrals of Liverpool, Southwark, Worcester and St David’s. Not forgetting many appearances in the Principality Stadium, Royal Albert Hall and Cardiff Castle. Above all, we are a family. If times are tough, our members are here for each other, We are supported by the Friends of the Choir (“the Ladies”) who raise funds and are pivotal to arranging (and financing) social events. |
DUNVANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR ~ Jonathan Rogers. After attaining a BA (Hons) in Music and PGCE from Bristol University, Jonathan returned to South Wales to begin his teaching career and within three years was promoted to Head of Music at Penyrheol Comprehensive School. Since Autumn 2014, he has held the position of Curriculum Leader of Music for Gower College Swansea, and this led to his appointment as Associate Lecturer with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and as an examiner with the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
Jonathan has occupied the role of Musical Director of the Dunvant Male Choir since 2007 and has worked in some prestigious venues across the world. His excellent reputation as a conductor, arranger and soloist has grown in recent years and he continues to combine his work in education with his busy life as a conductor in the Swansea area. In 2021 Jonathan was awarded a Silver Prize in the National Pearson Teaching Awards and was the sole Welsh practitioner to be successful in the Further Education category. Jonathan is also Musical Director of Swansea Philharmonic Choir.
Jonathan has occupied the role of Musical Director of the Dunvant Male Choir since 2007 and has worked in some prestigious venues across the world. His excellent reputation as a conductor, arranger and soloist has grown in recent years and he continues to combine his work in education with his busy life as a conductor in the Swansea area. In 2021 Jonathan was awarded a Silver Prize in the National Pearson Teaching Awards and was the sole Welsh practitioner to be successful in the Further Education category. Jonathan is also Musical Director of Swansea Philharmonic Choir.
Brecon Musical Director Lynnette Thomas
Lynnette Thomas or Lyn as she is known, was born and bred in Llandovery. She trained as a teacher in Cyncoed, Cardiff and has taught in the Brecon area throughout her teaching career, finishing as Head Teacher in Sennybridge Primary School.
She has been with the Aberhonddu and District Male Choir for over 47 years. She was the Choir’s accompanist for over 15 years and when the previous MD – Mrs Ogwen Thomas left the Choir due to ill health, it was almost a natural progression for Lyn to become their MD in 1991.
She has led the Choir to numerous 1000 voices festivals in the Albert Hall as well as many trips abroad – America, Ireland, Denmark, Brittany and Holland.
Brecon Deputy MD Lynne Griffin
Lynnette is ably assisted by another Lynne – Lynne Griffin as her Deputy MD. Lynne is from Llangadog, near Llandovery. Lynne studied voice at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Jeanette Massocchi, and as well as her MD duties, she has been the soloist with the Choir on numerous occasions. She also trained as a teacher at Cyncoed. She now works for Powys County Council in their HR Service.
Lynnette Thomas or Lyn as she is known, was born and bred in Llandovery. She trained as a teacher in Cyncoed, Cardiff and has taught in the Brecon area throughout her teaching career, finishing as Head Teacher in Sennybridge Primary School.
She has been with the Aberhonddu and District Male Choir for over 47 years. She was the Choir’s accompanist for over 15 years and when the previous MD – Mrs Ogwen Thomas left the Choir due to ill health, it was almost a natural progression for Lyn to become their MD in 1991.
She has led the Choir to numerous 1000 voices festivals in the Albert Hall as well as many trips abroad – America, Ireland, Denmark, Brittany and Holland.
Brecon Deputy MD Lynne Griffin
Lynnette is ably assisted by another Lynne – Lynne Griffin as her Deputy MD. Lynne is from Llangadog, near Llandovery. Lynne studied voice at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Jeanette Massocchi, and as well as her MD duties, she has been the soloist with the Choir on numerous occasions. She also trained as a teacher at Cyncoed. She now works for Powys County Council in their HR Service.
Dunvant Joint Accompanists ~ D. Huw Rees and Tony Phipps
Swansea born D. Huw Rees gained his BMus (Hons) degree at University College, Cardiff and has been Joint Accompanist to Dunvant Male Choir since January 2009. Highly talented and sought after, he has worked with the likes of Bryn Terfel, Rhys Meirion, Wynne Evans, Sophie Evans and The Three Welsh Tenors.
Huw is an official accompanist at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and has accompanied competitors since 1993 and was the official accompanist to the massed mixed choirs festival held at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff in 1992, 1996 and 1999. In 2006 Huw conducted the massed male voice choirs at the opening concert of the National Eisteddfod held at Swansea.
In 2015 Huw worked with Britain’s Got Talent stars Richard & Adam, Julian Reynolds and the Latvian Opera Orchestra on the CD "Believe, Songs of Inspiration" which reached Number 1 in the Classical Album Charts. In 2019 he accompanied competitors at the Urdd Eisteddfod which was held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. In 2018 he was the Vice Chair of the Urdd’s Music Committee, and this led to his appointment as Associate Lecturer at Trinity College.
Tony Phipps has been a member of Dunvant Male Choir for over 40 years as a Chorister and Accompanist. After being taught piano to Grade 7 by previous conductor Ambrose Miles, Tony achieved Grade 8 under the tuition of D. Hugh Jones. Tony has also had a distinguished and decorated career with South Wales Police.
In 2016 Tony was appointed permanent Accompanist alongside D Huw Rees. In the time that he has occupied this role, Tony has performed at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and accompanied Sir Bryn Terfel whilst recording for S4C. ~an
Swansea born D. Huw Rees gained his BMus (Hons) degree at University College, Cardiff and has been Joint Accompanist to Dunvant Male Choir since January 2009. Highly talented and sought after, he has worked with the likes of Bryn Terfel, Rhys Meirion, Wynne Evans, Sophie Evans and The Three Welsh Tenors.
Huw is an official accompanist at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and has accompanied competitors since 1993 and was the official accompanist to the massed mixed choirs festival held at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff in 1992, 1996 and 1999. In 2006 Huw conducted the massed male voice choirs at the opening concert of the National Eisteddfod held at Swansea.
In 2015 Huw worked with Britain’s Got Talent stars Richard & Adam, Julian Reynolds and the Latvian Opera Orchestra on the CD "Believe, Songs of Inspiration" which reached Number 1 in the Classical Album Charts. In 2019 he accompanied competitors at the Urdd Eisteddfod which was held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. In 2018 he was the Vice Chair of the Urdd’s Music Committee, and this led to his appointment as Associate Lecturer at Trinity College.
Tony Phipps has been a member of Dunvant Male Choir for over 40 years as a Chorister and Accompanist. After being taught piano to Grade 7 by previous conductor Ambrose Miles, Tony achieved Grade 8 under the tuition of D. Hugh Jones. Tony has also had a distinguished and decorated career with South Wales Police.
In 2016 Tony was appointed permanent Accompanist alongside D Huw Rees. In the time that he has occupied this role, Tony has performed at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and accompanied Sir Bryn Terfel whilst recording for S4C. ~an
Brecon Accompanist ~ Becky Drysdale
The choir’s accompanist is Becky Drysdale, an accomplished musician. Becky also studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is a skilled bassoonist and clarinetist, as well as being a brilliant accompanist. She is in constant demand for her musical abilities. Together with Aysha, their Deputy Accompanist, these three make up the Choir’s Dream Team!!!
The choir’s accompanist is Becky Drysdale, an accomplished musician. Becky also studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is a skilled bassoonist and clarinetist, as well as being a brilliant accompanist. She is in constant demand for her musical abilities. Together with Aysha, their Deputy Accompanist, these three make up the Choir’s Dream Team!!!