Concert Tours

In addition to 'traditional concerts' Pontnewydd Male Choir's trips abroad have provided opportunities to sing at unusual and sometimes spectacular venues. In the Netherlands this included an appearance at the impressive 'Congresgebouw' in the Hague. In France the choir was the first to sing at the famous 'Pegasus Bridge' and was rewarded with Champagne served from the historical Cafe Gondree. In Normandy the choir sang, in sorrow, at the Bayeux War Cemetery and at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha beach, the British and American war cemeteries respectively. In Caen the choir sang at L'Abbaye-aux-Hommes around the tomb of William the Conqueror.

Whilst in Canada the choir sang in the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, as well as in the breathtakingly beautiful Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal. Singing within sight and sound of the Niagara Falls also proved a wonderful experience.

In Spain the choir's singing at the magnificent Basilica in Montserrat was an undoubted highlight.

During 1988 an initial singing delegation of nine choristers, plus the Musical Director, visited Bruchsal, Germany, and were invited to sing at their beautiful Burgerzentrum. Since this initial contact the Pontnewydd Male Choir can now look back on three unforgettable visits to this beautiful area in Germany as guests of our good friends from the Mannergesangverein Harmonie Buchenau. The links between M.G.V. Harmonie Buchenau and Pontnewydd Male Choir are so strong that the village of Buchenau now has a street called: Pontnewydd Strabe. (Inhabitants of the street still find it difficult to pronounce!!)

2008 - Prague and Pilzen

Two coach loads of choristers and supporters set off on a tour to the Czech Republic early on the morning of Saturday October 25th. They departed from Birmingham airport and flew directly to Prague where they were met by the same guide who had accompanied them on their 2005 tour of Poland. A prompt coach transfer to Plzen meant that they were in their hotel in the centre of the old town early in the afternoon. A stay of three nights gave them ample time to explore the delights of the old town. The imposing structure of St. Bartholomew's Cathedral was located immediately in front of the hotel and choristers very soon spotted the poster, complete with choir photograph, which advertised their performance the following morning. The weather was kind and the afternoon and evening were spent in admiring the lovely buildings that form the four sides of the large square of the old town. Cheap tasty food in the many restaurants and satisfying Czech beer sent choristers to bed in good form determined to do their best the following morning. During the 10.30am morning Mass they performed three items (''Let us break bread together'', Schubert's ''Sanctus'' and ''Steal Away'') while the congregation received the bread and wine. Immediately following the end of the Mass they moved to their position in front of the altar and gave a 50 minute performance of a wide selection of pieces from their repertoire. The tour organisers (Melody Music) had provided a very talented soloist for the tour, a young Welsh lady violinist, Jamie Hutchinson, who performed two items during the concert. The echo in the cathedral proved at times to be something of a handicap but the enthusiastic applause at the end of the concert left choristers in no doubt that they had done a good job.
On Tuesday 28th the coaches left for a three night stay in Prague. The luxury hotel was located outside the city centre but a new Metro stop was located a very short distance from the hotel and the cheap tickets meant that frequent trips were made into the city centres, old and new. The old town, in particular, proved to be an irresistible draw. An evening river cruise dinner proved to be a real success with impromptu singing to the (resident) accordionist, who was delighted to be joined for some numbers by charming violinist Jamie. The final evening concert was held in the riverside building of the famous Hlahol mixed choir, one of whose past leaders was the Czech composer Smetana. Two mixed choirs welcomed the Pontnewydd Choir with performances of a number of mainly religious Czech pieces. The Welsh choir then presented their varied repertoire which included Welsh hymns, a West End show item, American traditional pieces, an Irish folk song, an operatic 'duet' and finishing with the rousing ''There is a land that's dear to me''. Jamie Wilkinson also enchanted the audience with several items and finished with the haunting strains of ''Dafydd y Carreg Wen''. The large audience was very generous in their applause and left the Pontnewydd choristers in no doubt, again, that they had succeeded in maintaining the reputation of Welsh male choirs. Immediately following the concert the Hlahol choristers were hosts at a generous buffet at which beer and wine flowed freely.
Friday 31st October was the final day in the lovely city of Prague and an evening departure to East Midlands airport resulted in the tired, but quietly satisfied, tourists returning to a cold Cwmbran at 3:00am. All in all, another very successful concert tour by the Pontnewydd choir thanks to the hard work of the dedicated musical team of Walford Hutchings, Keith Jones, Annette Williams and Pauline Carey, the voices of a companionable group of choristers and the support of a wonderful group of wives, partners and supporters. close

2005 - Poland

Two coach loads of happy PMC choristers and supporters returned to Cwmbran in the early hours of October 30th. They were back from a seven-day tour in Poland and were feeling proud and certain that they had upheld the reputation of Welsh Male Choir singing.

The itinerary of the tour was organised by Mark Stuart Burrows who travelled with the choir from start to finish of the tour. Two concerts had been arranged - the first in the magnificent Fryderyk Chopin Hall in Warsaw. The programme was shared with the Lira choir - one of Poland's most famous male choirs who train boys from an early age. A large audience were very appreciative of the items sung by the Pontnewydd Choir with the ending of "Moses" bringing broad, delighted smiles to the faces of the youngsters present. Mark Stuart Borrows joined the choir in an item in both concerts and also delighted the audience with an aria from "Eugene Onegin" (sung in Russian).

There were many highlights during the tour but few would disagree that the concert in Krakow provided the ultimate thrill. It took place in the breath-taking basilica of the Virgin Mary, located in the fascinating main square, with the choir standing immediately in front of the beautiful High Altar. The concert had been well advertised and amongst the large audience were worshippers who had been present during the Mass and tourists from America, Yorkshire and, unexpectedly, even the choir's hometown! In such a setting it is not difficult to produce one's best and the choir rose to the occasion. It was a proud group of choristers who finally 'left the stage' to the enthusiastic applause of an audience who stood as one as the men made their way into the lights of Krakow. The musical team of Walford J. Hutchings (Musical Director), Keith Jones (Deputy Conductor) and Annette Williams (Accompanist) had again 'produced the goods' and were justifiably delighted with the way the choristers had responded.

The weeklong visit included tours of Warsaw and Krakow, and trips to Chopin's birthplace at Zelazowa Wola, the 700-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mine and the two Concentration camps at Auschwitz. Three unscheduled performances were also given - the first at the Chopin Monument in Warsaw, the second near the 'death-wall' in Auschwitz I and the third at the final get-together after (quote) 'the last supper'.

The Tour Company and the hard-working PMC team ensured that all enjoyed themselves and one of the excellent English-speaking guides commented upon the unfailing good humour of the tourists.

Pontnewydd Male Choir is now in its second century and this tour to Poland and the celebrations of last year proved that there is 'plenty of life in the old dog yet'. close

2002 - Spain

During a two week tour the choir held concerts at:

Plaha Mayor, Pueblo Espanol, Barcelona
Town Hall Square, Lloret de Mar

We were also priviliged to be allowed to sing at the Basilica in Montserrat. Those fifteen minutes will live in the memories of those who sang that day for a very long time.

2000 - Germany

Concerts held at:

Burgerzentrum, Bruchsal*
Festsaal der Karlsburg Durlach**
Klosterkirche, Bad Herrenalb

* as guests of the 'M.G.V. Harmonie Buchenau'
** as guests of the 'Durlacher Frauenchor 1987 e.V.'

1999 - Canada

Concerts held at:

Dewi Sant Welsh United Church, Toronto*
St Giles' Presbyterian Church, Osgoode, Ottawa**

* as guests of the Toronto Welsh Male Choir
** as guests of the Osgoode Township Male Choir

1995 - France

Concerts held at:

Eglise St. Pierre, Caen
Cathedrale de Bayeux, Bayeux

1993 - Germany

Awaiting information.

1988 - Germany

Awaiting information.

1983 - The Netherlands

Concerts held at:

St. Joriskerk, Amsersfoort*
Grote Kerk, Wijk bij Duurstede

*as guests of the 'Amersfoorts Mannenkoor'