Choir Members

Reg. Charity 513349

Presenter

Barri Hurford

A retired headmaster, Barri was a member of London Welsh Male Voice Choir for 9 years and made the 170 mile journey for rehearsals every week during that period.

A former President of Southampton Cymrodorion, Barri has for some years been ‘on the circuit’ as an after-dinner speaker. Reporting on rugby matches for various newspapers each Saturday during the season, Barri is Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association.

Barri compèred at concerts across the length and breadth of the UK and on the continent of Europe when with London Welsh and enjoys doing so at home and abroad for the South Wales Male Choir.

Soloists

Jo Herco - Soprano

Jo Herco is the conductor of the Cardiff group and a graduate from RWCMD and is a Soprano, Composer, Musical Director, Conductor and Teacher. Jo's extensive experience as a singer has taken her through opera, musical theatre, choral works, jazz and swing. Many of her compositions and arrangements continue to be performed. Jo has conducted Nova Voce, The Contemporary Music Ensemble at RWCMD and more recently Barry Choral Society. Jo has been the Musical Director for Operatic Societies in South Wales and recently conducted Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and Bernstein’s West Side Story. Jo teaches singing to all ages and has sung and hosted master classes at a number of events. email: joherco@ntlworld.com

Some people work behind the scenes out of the spotlight - we want to bring some of them to you in this spot. Look out for more!

Keith Bishop Although not a singing member of the choir Keith is invaluable working behind the scenes in his tireless efforts to support the choir in many ways. Keith is the Membership Secretary who keeps accurate records for the choir and takes on the responsibility of collecting subscriptions and monies paid for trips, no easy task! When Father Christmas is too busy to attend our Christmas concerts Keith has even been known to be his willing helper!

Geoff Wilson who helps

‘Save The Last Dance For Me’

go with a real swing!!

The amazing partnership of Jean and Geoff Smallbone!
Jean and Geoff have given committed support to the choir for many years.
Jean was the piano accompanist for the Wantage group and is the ‘page turner’ for Siân Davies at concerts.
Geoff is the Choir Marshall and Stage Manager responsible for staging the choir and generating discipline. Ask Geoff for help and you can guarantee that he will deliver.

Choir Librarian is Phil Ivins. There is a big collection of music copies under his control and he magics copies from his briefcase at the drop of a hat.

Special mention must be made of our retiring General Secretary Ken Crowle. Ken served as secretary for 16 years and as he said in his retirement address “During that time I have sung at many memorable concerts, travelled the world on some tremendous concert tours, met our Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales and worked alongside each of our three distinguished Presidents - namely Viscount Tonypandy, Lord Parry and our current President the inimitable Wyn Calvin. All three presidents have encouraged and enhanced the profile of the choir. I have enjoyed working with 7 main conductors, 5 treasurers and 4 chairmen and had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many of Wales’ top artistes. We are in a new era and I know we will carry on our choral successes.”

Lynn and Ian are two choristers who can always be relied on to provide assistance whenever needed. On the recent trip to Canada, together with Bruce Thomas, they efficiently marshalled the buses and choristers.
The enormous task of stage managing the concerts is greatly eased by their contributions and hard work.

Lynn Ford

Ian Powell

Jim Mitchell Bass-Baritone - Entertainer, Singing Teacher and Lecturer in Musical Theatre.

Jim was born in Bristol of a Welsh father and is very proud of his Welsh ancestry. He originally studied with Reginald Unwin Porter (pupil of Madam Novello Davis) and then with Arthur Reckless, teacher of the great Bryn Terfel, at Guildhall and sang regularly with the BBC West of England Singers, he also auditioned successfully for English National Opera.

He is very happy to be a member of Côr Meibion de Cymru and is also part of a double act 'Two Blokes and a Piano' specialising in the songs of Flanders and Swann. To see more of Jim go to: http://www.twoblokes.com

At the end of the 2009 season Ken Crowle relinquished his post as organiser of the Texaco Young Musician contest. He has been the organiser for the past eighteen years - this was his ninth competition. To commemorate the event a presentation was made on Sunday 29th March 2009.

The first conductor of the choir, Alun John, made a presentation of a statuette to Ken Crowle. It was made as a likeness of Ken himself in choir uniform.

Dr Mair Williams presented a framed montage of choir events that Ken had taken part in, and organised, as the secretary of the choir for sixteen years.

Chairman Bryn Price introduced Alun John who remarked that most of the choir probably wouldn’t remember him because they were too young! Ken’s wife Joan is holding the framed montage and had herself been presented with a bouquet of flowers. In the background were seated the vice presidents and ladies support group.

Vice President Philip Howells congratulated Ken Crowle on being made a life member of the choir and also made a vice president He then presented Ken with the prestigious Green Jacket. Phil remarked there would now be two singing vice presidents.

Tudor Curtis-Williams- Bass

At the age of 7 Tudor’s schoolteacher notified his parents that in his opinion ‘Tudor had a nice voice and would benefit from training’. Thus started Tudor’s singing career as a boy soprano at many venues including eisteddfodau. His musical career was further enhanced by the Salvation Army.

They tought him to play brass instruments including tenor horn, trombone and tuba. Now a talented Bass singer he thoroughly enjoys his singing and has joined a choir wherever he has lived. From Port Talbot, Ottawa (Canada) to Creigiau (Cardiff) including choral works with mixed choirs. Tudor feels honoured to have been chosen by Côr Meibion De Cymru and pictured above is him singing ‘Master of the House’ from Les Miserables at the Follies Theatre, Folly Farm, Begelly, Pembrokeshire.