Newtown and District Male Voice Choir was formed in 1951. Originally called the Cedewain Gleemen, the name changed to the current name in 1966.
Having grown in numbers over the last year or so, the choir now has approximately 50 choristers from Newtown and the surrounding areas. New members are always welcome, and anyone interested in joining is encouraged to get in touch – no previous experience is needed!
The choir regularly performs at a range of events in Newtown and the surrounding area, including concerts, weddings and other community events, often with the aim raising funds for various charities and organisations.
The choir’s repertoire is varied, consisting of songs in both English and Welsh, including traditional Welsh hymns, spirituals, songs from musicals, and other popular songs from past decades up to the present day.
Over the years, the choir has performed at a number of high profile venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, London, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, the Pavilion, Rhyl and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury. The choir also arranges its own Annual Concert each year, where guest artistes are invited to perform alongside the choir. In recent years, the Annual Concert has featured such high profile artists as Rhys Meirion, Shân Cothi, Aled Wyn Davies, Sioned Terry, Annette Bryn Parri and Trio Cymru.
The choir also arranges regular tours in the UK and further afield. Over the years, this has included trips to Newtown’s twinned town of Les Herbiers in France, Northern Ireland, Carlisle and Plymouth. A trip to Ypres in Belgium is planned for 2020, and a trip to London to perform in the Welsh Association of Male Voice Choirs’ concert in the Royal Albert Hall in 2021.
As well as singing, the choir enjoys an active social life, with a number of activities taking place throughout the year, to which choir members, their wives and partners, and other friends of the choir are welcome to attend.