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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • APRIL 1992
Welsh Choir Now More Multi-Cultural
By russ quinn
ft fancouver — Al-• I / though the Vancouver V Welsh Men's Choir celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1990, it got its start back in 1978 when a group of transplanted Welshmen formed a choral group headed by Lloyd Wade. Unfortunately, Mr. Wade died one year later and the Choir folded.
All this we learned from Gwyn Evans and John Wilkinson, both of Richmond, who were recounting their involvement with the choir over the years. Gwyn, John and Bill Jones were the prime movers in starting the present Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir. Gwyn was a member of the Cwymbach Male Choir for 14 years before he came to Canada.
Other founding members, including Barry Hancock of Coquitlam, Dave Guilder of Richmond, Earl Thompson and Clive Jones of Vancouver, remember when the second choir, the present Vancouver Welsh Men s Choir, first got together for a rehearsal at the Cambrian Hall on January 29, 1980, with 18 men in attendance.
Today, the group boats more than 100 members. It is the love of singing that brings these men together and, while music directors and members come and go, the love of singing has not changed.
Dennis Whyte conducted the choir between 1980 and 1986. In
those days, the focus of the repertoire was mostly traditional Welsh songs. In the last five years, Robin Thomas has been the Music Director and there has been an evolution to a more multi-cultural character in the music, which in turn, reflects the broader diversity of membership, and the fact that the choir is no longer exclusively Welsh.
As a non-profit organization, the choir makes an average of 200 performances annually. In the early days, concerts were held in small churches and halls. Dunbar Heights United Church was the venue for the first performance because it happened to be the Choir Director's church. Since then, performances have been given around the globe, including appearances in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. Last summer the Choir went "home" to Wales.
To celebrate its tenth anniversary in 1990, the choir performed to a near sell-out house at the Orpheum Theatre — a grand evens compared to humble beginnings! And, of course, great excitement came from participating on national television with Rita McNeil in CTV's "One Canadian Voice", a program watched by over 800,000 Canadians on Canada's birthday.
As you may expect, an organization like the choir has had its difficult moments and fund-raising has always been an issue. Fortunately, support has come from such groups as Royal LePage, Du Maurier Arts and
THE LOVE OF SINGING has always been the lifeblood of the choir. There is a constant renewal of interest In the organization every year In August when auditions to join are held
the Friends of the Welsh Men's Choir. This sponsorship has made the difference between success and failure.
One reason funding has been forthcoming is the willingness of the members to travel to smaller communities in B.C., such as Port Hardy, Kelowna, Logan Lake and the Kootenays. And through its performances, it has supported a number of charities, including the Variety Club ofB.C.,theRainbow Ridge Special Care Home for handi-
capped children, and the Red Cross.
The love of singing has been the lifeblood of the choir. There is a constant renewal of interest in the organization every year in late August and early January, as auditions to join get under-
way. Every year, the standards get a little higher and the organization improves. And every year, the camaraderie and fellowship grow stronger. One things is noticeable — there are never any unhappy faces in the choir when all the men come together for the love of singing.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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VANCOUVER April 4 - Gaelic Association - Ceilidh and dance 8 PM - Scottish Cultural Centre 8886 Hudson Street.
April 17 - B.C. Pipers Association -Piping recitals, etc. 7:30 PM - Scottish Cultural Centre 8886 Hudson Street.
April 18 - Pipe band competition, Sequam School Delta.
April 24 - Direct from Scotland, folk duo "Gaberlunzie" 8PM Scottish Cultural Centre.
April 24 - Irish Session music 8:30 PM The Connolly People at T.B. Vets (Cambie & Broadway, back entrance)
PRINCE GEORGE April 25 - Celtic Nations Evening -Studio 2880 - Contact Fergus Foley (604) 564-1355.
JOHNNIE JOHNSTON
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