The Cwmbran Baroque Singers Winter Warm-Up
  • Glen-Yr-Afon Hotel, Usk, Saturday 17th January 2009
"Once again the Singers and Friends celebrated the New Year with the 'Winter Warm Up' on the 17th January 2009. 

Again at the Glen-yr-Afon, again with the same attention to detail and comfort one expects from the staff. On a cold wet night guests were met outside with an umbrella and escorted into the premises. The welcome was warm as was the interior and the party soon found the bar. The dining room was immaculately prepared and the meal, a good selection of meat and vegetarian dishes, together with dessert and coffee and mints, was well presented. Everyone spoke highly of the meal and thought it was the best we've had there.
 
The entertainment was of the usual high standard, with music, quizzes, games and extraordinary musical performances by each of the six tables, who each prepared new words to the round "London's burning" and then performed the song before a panel of "expert?" judges, a la Strictly Come Dancing.  The evening closed with an emotional rendering of "Don't cry for me Argentina" sung exquisitely by Alyson and Deena!
 
We were a party of 51, well down on the numbers we usually have and so this doesn't happen next time I've pencilled in Saturday 16th January 2010 - put this date in the back of your 2009 diary NOW!

Look forward to seeing you.
Happy New Year to you all.
Huw"
Huw Davies, Chairman



Spring Concert
  • St Gabriel's Church, Cwmbran, Saturday 28th March 2009
  • Orchestra: Welsh Sinfonia
Our Spring 2009 concert featured the rousing music of George Frideric Handel. The Dettingen Te Deum was written by Handel whilst 'Composer of the Musick to the Chapel Royal' to celebrate the victory of the British Army and its allies over the French at Dettingen, Bavaria. This was first performed on the day of thanksgiving proclaimed by King George II.

Also featured were the anthem Hear My Prayer (O For the Wings of a Dove), and Psalm 115 both composed by Felix Mendelssohn as well as Te Deum (for the Empress Marie Theresa) by Haydn, and the old coronation favourite Zadok The Priest by Handel.

Once again, we were pleased to have welcomed guest bass soloist Guy Harbottle as well as our own soloists Alyson Jones, Anne Price-Jones, Don Smith and Tim Ford who all gave memorable performances.



 Annual Hog Roast
  • The Firs, Pontnewydd, Saturday 13th June 2009
The Choir again thanks our musical director Alan Moore and his wife, soprano Sandra Moore, for hosting the annual Hog Roast in the grounds of their home. The weather stayed fine, and a good time was had by all. Again, resident group 'Ancient & Modern' was on hand to provide entertainment. Of course, any performance would not be complete without Deena Davies' interpretation of 'The Bluebird'.

The hog was again cooked to perfection, and our thanks go to the members and friends who provided salads, etc, to accompany it.

We look forward to seeing you there next year!



Concert at All Saints
  • All Saints Church, Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, Saturday 20th June 2009


Concert with Guests - The Merthyr School Big Band
  • Newport Cathedral (St Woolos), Saturday 19th September 2009
The choir was thrilled to be able to contribute the the Roof Appeal for Newport's Cathedral at St Woolos. More information on the appeal can be found at the Appeal Website


Christmas Concert
  • Christmas Concert, St Gabriel's Church, Cwmbran
  • Orchestra: Welsh Sinfonia