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Sunday, July 31, 2016

What's Welsh In Wales? Male Voice Choirs.

What's Welsh in Wales? The language for a start. You notice it on the signs the moment you cross into Wales. On the motorway. On the railway stations. But the most delightful Welsh language is the songs sung by the Welsh male voice choirs.

If you get a chance to hear a Welsh male voice choir, please do so. You can hear a male voice choir every year at the last night of Writers' Holiday in Fishguard Bay Hotel, Fishguard Wales. They (Cwmbach Male Choir) sing in competitions of choirs and at other events all over the world.

They end by singing the Welsh national anthem. Perhaps I should check on the wording.

The male voice choir isn't all men. They have a female accompanist on the piano and a young lady who sings and plays the harp.

On the right, with the red hair, is accompanist Jayne Thomas. Behind the two ladies is Brian Williams, secretary, who introduces the choir and links the songs with a humorous commentary, usually featuring topical jokes.

The hotel piano was good enough. The pianist did not need to use the electric keyboard she had brought with just in case. I asked, "Why didn't you use it, anyway, for a change?" She shook her head, "No need. It's a bit wobbly, compared to a solid piano."

You can buy a CD of the choir.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

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