24 April 2023: Please note that the price of concert tickets will go up to £12 each from the next concert onwards. The next concert will be Haydn’s Creation, on 22 July 2023, at All Saint’s Church, Porthcawl. New members welcome to join in all sections. Rehearsals start Wednesday 26th April, 7.00 p.m. at Tabernacle, Bridgend. For people who wish to join only for The Creation, there will be a reduced fee of £25.
23 April 2023: Another brilliant concert last night. Photos and full programme details here:
8th March 2023: Rehearsal cancelled tonight due to the snow and freezing weather. Hopefully back to normal next week!
16 January 2023: Please note that the date for the Spring concert has been changed to:
Saturday, 22nd April 2023
For full details of this and other concerts planned for the year, please visit our Next Performance page or click https://corbroogwr.com/next-performance/
4 January 2023: Rehearsals started for the Spring concert.
10 December 2022: Christmas concert went brilliantly, in spite of some last minute changes due to illness. Lucy John stepped in at short notice to perform the soprano solo parts. Due to illness also Benjamin Teague saved the day by playing the organ. Massive thanks to both, and of course to Angharad Edwards on the harp. Click here for the pictures:
Cyngerdd Nadolig 2022 Christmas Concert
September 2022: Rehearsals start for our Christmas 2022 concert. Choristers are welcome to wear a mask but this is no longer compulsory as the Covid restrictions have been removed.
16th July 2022: Pictures from Summer concert here:
September 2021:
Cor Bro Ogwr has now returned to rehearsals in Tabernacle Church after 19 months.
it will be performing part of The Messiah and miscellaneous music on 11th December 2021.
Welsh Government rules require choristers to wear masks while rehearsing in church. This doesn’t seem practical but the choir sang wearing masks on 1st September and it sounded really good so don’t let this put you off from attending. It was lovely to be back and was most enjoyable.
New members are welcome.
Repertoire for 25th April
Duruflé Requiem
Songs by Mansel Thomas and Samuel Barber
Concert dates for 2020
April 25th July 18th December 12th
Warmth and Joy at Christmas!
Despite the ferocious wind and rain, Côr Bro Ogwr brought festive warmth and joy to the audience at All Saint’s Church, Porthcawl on 14th December. The centrepieces of the programme were Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio and Vaughn Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols. These pieces were interspersed by seasonal favourites including O Holy Night, Berlioz’ The Shepherd’s Farewell, as well as modern carols Ecce Novum by Finish composer Ola Gjielo, and Bob Chilcott’s The Shepherds Sing.
The choir was joined by four talented soloists: Kate Reynolds (soprano); Olivia Gomez (mezzo-soprano); Jack Parry (tenor); and William Stevens (baritone). The Palenna String Quartet, harpist Angharad Edwards, and the choir’s resident accompanist, Glenn Crooks, accompanied the choir. This was the first concert for Côr Bro Ogwr’s new musical director, Ben Pinnow, and it was truly a great start to his tenure. Ben not only conducted the programme with skill and energy but demonstrated a strong rapport with the audience and choristers alike. It was a delightful concert and very much enjoyed by an audience which had braved the elements for some Christmas cheer.
Judith Fabian
Update on repertoire for December 14th concert
Côr Bro Ogwr – 14 December 2019
> William Mathias – Sir Christémas
> Ola Gjielo – Ecce Novum
> Gareth Glyn – Carol y Seren
> Bob Chilcott – The Shepherds Sing
> Hector Berlioz – The Shepherd’s Farewell
> Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Christmas Carols>
> – Interval ->
> Adolphe Adam – O Holy Night
> Camille Saint-Saëns – Christmas Oratorio
September 4th, 2019
Côr Bro Ogwr restarts on Wednesday 4th September at 7.00pm under the baton of its new conductor Mr Ben Pinnow.
The repertoire for its concert on December 14th is:
Christmas Oratorio – Saint- Saëns
Fantasia on Christmas Carols – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ecce Novum – Ola Gjielo
and other Christmas music.
New choristers will be warmly welcomed.
Concert on 20th July
On 20th July Côr Bro Ogwr will be performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah in All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl. CBO would be delighted to welcome any former choristers who would like to join it in singing this wonderful oratorio.
Rehearsals are held in Tabernacle Church, Derwen Road, Bridgend on Wednesday evenings 7.00pm-9.00pm.
New choristers are also welcome.
CÔR BRO OGWR seeks a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Côr Bro Ogwr will shortly be saying farewell to its dynamic and innovative Musical Director, Rosie Howarth. With grateful thanks for her contribution to the choir’s successful story, it wishes Rosie well for the next exciting stage in her career.
The choir is now on the hunt for an equally talented Musical Director to follow in Rosie’s footsteps.
Côr Bro Ogwr, a registered charity, based in Bridgend, South Wales is a non-auditioning, mixed choir of 85 voices currently celebrating its twentieth anniversary and is seeking to appoint a highly committed, enthusiastic and suitably qualified Musical Director to maintain and further its development. Its present Musical Director is relocating.
It is looking for someone with suitable conducting experience, strong communication skills, an ability to motivate and inspire and a good sense of humour! A genuine interest in Welsh music and the Welsh choral tradition would be an advantage along with experience working with orchestras/instrumentalists.
The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and performs three concerts a year as well as touring every two to three years. Recent tours have included Russia, America and Germany. It is currently rehearsing Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light and Fauré’s Requiem.
Selection for the post will take place during June in order that the new MD can start rehearsals in September 2019. End date for applications 30 April.
To apply
Please send a CV and a short cover letter outlining your suitability for the post to:
John Trotter at jtrotter246@gmail.com (01446 773432)
Remuneration will be discussed at the interview. For more information about the choir please visit its website.
20 years’ Photographic Exhibition on 26th February – 1st March 2019
Mr Carwyn Jones, President of Cor Bro Ogwr will be opened this exhibition on Tuesday 26th February at 11am. in Carnegie House.
| An evening of celebration, happy memories and heartfelt singing! In spite of the disappointing absence of our Conductor Emeritus, Alun John OBE, due to illness, choir, soloists and orchestra gave a rousing performance which was received warmly by the audience.The pieces, chosen from concerts, trips and conductors through the years, had all been resurrected and newly polished by Rosie Howarth, our current conductor, and Alun John, who managed to fit in some rehearsals of the pieces he had chosen before the concert itself. We welcomed back our popular tenor from our early days, Richard Allen. We all loved his rendition of “Roses of Picardy”, where the choir and audience quietly joined in the chorus. His career has gone from strength to strength and he is much in demand for his opera, oratorio and concert work.Our soprano, soloist, Erin Alexander is now becoming a firm favourite with the choir, and is clearly destined for great things; such a beautiful, powerful voice from a small person! Erin is studying in the Conserve atria Luigi Cherubini, Florence and set to perform in a number of operas with them. Our baritone, Jack Bowtell, is currently studying for his Masters in Operatic Performance under Donald Maxwell and we hope to hear him again soon. We are fortunate to have such talented musicians with us, soloists and orchestra, as we continue in our commitment to support young musicians. |
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| 20 Years of Making Music – Anniversary Dinner |
| It was a glittering evening at The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge, as Cor Bro Ogwr celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Our founding conductor, Alun John, one of the many guests, brought along the poster of our first concert performance; Verdi’s “Requiem”, sung with the Cardiff Singer of The World 1997 winner, soprano Guang Yang. In his speech he reminisced about the memorable highlights of the choir’s trips abroad ; in Barbados during the Celtic Festival and visiting a rum factory…singing in the gallery of the Mathias Church, Budapest, on flat pack cardboard seats; performing Mendelsohhn’s “Elijah” in the beautiful Franz Liszt Academy accompanied by a large Children’s choir with the voice of angels. The trip to Belgium where we sang at the grave of Hedd Wyn and then at The Mennin Gate. Joining with the Fujisawa Men’s Choir from Japan and singing each other’s national anthems together. Our present conductor, Rosie Howarth, talked about the present and future, when we will continue to encourage young musicians by offering them the opportunity to sing or play at our concerts. She remarked on the strong sense of friendship within the choir, with social evenings, trips abroad and at home developing a feeling of the choir as a family. Recent new members have remarked on the welcome they have been given.We were joined by our first President, John Elfed Jones, our first accompanist Graham Holcolme, our first Chairman Roger Price – famed for his weekly jokes…and our second conductor, Edward – Rhys Parry, now Dr.Parry having recently gained his PhD in Composition under Professor Paul Mealor at Aberdeen University.There were over 100 guests; the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council, Cllr. John McCarthy and his consort Mrs. McCarthy, choristers past and present, our current conductor Rosie Howarth and accompanist Glenn Crooks, all enjoying a wonderful meal in the St Quentin’s Suite. Chorister Ann Heatley had baked a celebration fruit cake, with the names of all our conductors iced around the sides and a special photo of Alun John on the top.A lot of hard work and organisation went into the evening, managed superbly by committee member Yvonne Hudd. Thank you Yvonne!Now we are preparing for our 20th Anniversary concert, in All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, which will feature favourite pieces from our 20 years of singing together and a specially commissioned work. |
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| Cor Bro Ogwr’s Summer Soirée |
| A change of venue and a very different musical programme for the choir’s summer concert, but the same high standard of singing and an appreciative audience. A hot evening at Coleg y Dderwen , but we enjoyed the variety of pieces, which ranged from humour to romance, folk songs, gospel, and contemporary Welsh music.The heat did not bother our talented accompanist, Glenn Crooks, who accompanied us and our soloist, Erin Alexander. She gave us some wonderful theatrical moments, including singing into her mobile and wearing a wedding crown.We welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Cowbridge and Huw Irranca Davies amongst our audience. Committee members organised a popular interval bar. Our thanks to Coleg Y Dderwen, Glenn and our conductor, Rosie Howarth.We soon start work on our 20th Anniversary Gala Concert, singing a selection from the past 20 years. Saturday December 8th in All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl.But before that, we are organising a special Anniversary Dinner at St. Quentin’s, The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge, on Friday October 19th. We hope that former choristers will join us for this very special evening. For more information, contact our Secretary Jan Bolland on jandavid@live.co.uk or 01656 784180. |
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| Sailing into Summer – May Coffee Morning |
| Many local shops and businesses were generous with their raffle prizes, as were members of the choir. Stalls of bric-a-brac with quality items, jewellery and plants meant there was something for everyone. The hall was full; a number of choristers came along with friends and Porthcawl passers by. There was musical entertainment too, when Jim Bartlett, local poet and singer-songwriter, sang a selection of sea songs with rousing choruses that had us joining in, in true hearty fashion.Even the cakes were themed – delicious cup cakes topped with edible musical decorations, baked by Lucy of “Golding Girls & Lucy’s Larder.” Lucy also had a steal selling her delicious home made savoury pies. Many thanks to our choir helpers, enabling us to raise £372 towards choir funds this year of our 20th anniversary, and to those who gave donations and support. A success – and a lot of fun, as you can see from the photos!it was a coffee morning with a distinctly maritime and musical flavour. a number of choristers pulled together in trinity church, porthcawl, to bring a seaside atmosphere to our fund raising coffee morning with a difference. bunting, striped tablecloths, flower decorations and sailor outfits helped to jolly everyone along. |
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| Cor Bro Ogwr’s Spring Concert – April 2018 |
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| Twenty years on and Cor Bro Ogwr continues to delight audiences with its high standard and quality of singing. The April concert featured two demanding works from the classical repertoire: Haydn’s “Nelson Mass” and Mozart’s “Vesperae Solennes”. Four soloists and the Cor Bro Ogwr Ensemble joined the choir to give a concert which was much appreciated by the audience.We were pleased to welcome Carwyn Jones and the Mayors of Porthcawl, Cowbridge, Bridgend Borough and Canon David Hillman. Such support is always appreciated. There were surprise guests for our conductor, Rosie Howarth; she was unaware that her parents were in the audience, too, their first visit to see Rosie conduct a Cor Bro Ogwr concert.Our next concert will be quite different. We are rehearsing a varied programme of contemporary songs, gospel songs, traditional and well known pieces given a new spin. It will be fun, cheerful, and get your feet tapping. We are trying out a new venue for this summer concert; Coleg Y Dderwen, Heol Yr Ysgol, Tondu, CF32 9EL. This is an easy venue to get to and with plenty of parking.As this year marks our 20 years’ anniversary, we are planning some different events with a musical theme. Our first one will be a musical seaside coffee morning in Porthcawl, in Trinity Church on Friday May 25th from 10am -12. Expect musical entertainment and a variety of stalls. Nautical dress optional! |
| Choir Trip to Langenau, Germany. November 2017. |
| “WUNDERBAR!”Yes, it was truly a wonderful choir tour to Bridgend’s twin town of Langenau, in Southern Germany, accompanied by members of the Town Twinning Association. It was a busy week. On our first day we took part in the Reformation Anniversary Service (500 years) in the nearby Martinskirche where we were welcomed by the clergy and congregation. During a day visit to the medieval city of Ulm, we sang two Welsh songs in the impressive Lutheran Minster, which boasts the tallest church spire in the world. This was a cappella to the delight of the tourists visiting the Minster. Lunch was taken in a typical Swabian restaurant in the heart of the ancient Fishermen’s Quarter. Another memorable visit was to Stuttgart, visiting Ludwigsburg Palace and as a contrast, the Mer-cedes Benz Museum. For our main concert in Langenau we sang with a local choir Liederkranz Albeck and their Junior Choir, the Jugendchor. Our soprano, Erin Alexander, had the audience on their feet with her solo items and when we all joined together to sing Mendelssohn’s “Verleih Uns Frieden”, with words by Martin Luther. Most appropriate during the week of Remembrance and much appreciated by the audience. We were made most welcome by the town. The local family hotel where we stayed couldn’t have been more helpful. On one evening the town Burgermeister hosted a dinner for all 53 of us with entertainment from one of its residents, Manfred Strobel, a local Hurdy Gurdy player. The Mayor of Langenau, Daniel Salemi, gave the opening speech. In excellent English, he remarked that the world today is focussing on our differences, whereas we should be celebrating our similarities. The choir has always found that, wherever we travel, music is a common language. On one of our free mornings, Manfred Strobel took a group for a walking tour around the town, ending up in the oldest pub there, where the group was offered lunch – wiener schnitzel, of course! Our last day was spent visiting the ‘fairytale palace’ of ‘mad Ludwig’ in Neuschwanstein in the mountains near the Austrian border. Sadly, this was the only day it rained and the views were rather obscured. It was a memorable trip, meeting people who remembered visiting Bridgend many years ago when the Town Twinning link was very active. Members of its Association who travelled with us hope that our trip marked the start of a renewal of exchanges between the towns. For a selection of photos of our trip, visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/corbroogwr98 |
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| “Guten Tag” – Cor Bro Ogwr |
| Choristers are busy practising their German phrases prior to their tour to Bridgend’s twin town of Langenau in Southern Germany over half term. During the week’s visit we will be taking part in the 500 years Reformation Anniversary at the Martinskirche in Langenau, giving a lunchtime concert in Ulm Minster and joining a young “Gospelchor” for an evening concert. There will be time for a visit to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which served as the inspiration for the Disney Sleeping Beauty castle and a visit to Stuttgart. The Langenau Committee will be hosting an evening reception and a party. There’s also a trombone concert! Our conductor Rosie Howarth will have no trouble making herself understood as she is a fluent German speaker. Glenn Crooks, our accompanist, will be coming too, plus some choristers from Rosie’s other choirs. Looking ahead to our next concert, our programme will contain excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and a lively variety of contemporary songs and carols. This will take place on Dec. 9th at All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, at 7pm. Tickets £10 at the door or tel. 01656 653326. |
| Conductor and Accompanist face the Choir |
| In a change from their usual roles, our conductor Rosie Howarth and accompanist Glenn Crooks faced the choir to showcase their special talents at a recital to raise funds. Tabernacle Church resounded to the organ as Glenn played a number of pieces, both contemporary and classical. Souza’s “The Liberty Bell March” even had some enthusiastic members of the audience actively participating. We knew Rosie had a beautiful voice, having heard her at rehearsals, but we were all bowled over by her range and dramatic interpretation. She sang a well balanced mixture of classical pieces, Mozart, Strauss and everyone’s favourite, Purcell’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, followed by songs from the musicals – Cole Porter, Hammerstein, Lloyd Webber. A wonderful evening of music and we feel very fortunate to have such a talented duo to accompany and conduct us.Our summer concert is entitled “A Summer Evening at the Opera”, and accompanying the choir will be three soloists; soprano Kate Reynolds, tenor David Powton and baritone Adam Jondelius, who will be also be performing opera arias. A light hearted, fun evening. As always, there will be the interval bar to assist with the atmosphere. |
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| Porthcawl Festival of Music and Flowers 2017 |
| The choir performed a half hour spot at the Festival of Music and Flowers at All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl recently. A light selection of short pieces gained the appreciation of a large audience, who had come to see the beautiful flower arrangements and listen to the variety of music throughout the day. A most enjoyable and successful afternoon. Thanks to the choristers who were able to take part, and our accompanist and conductor who also gave up their Saturday afternoon to be with us. |
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| Annual Choir Dinner – April 2017 |
| Fairways Hotel, Porthcawl, was the venue for a most enjoyable choir dinner. There was a good turnout of choristers and partners and we were delighted to welcome Alun and Rhiannon John. The food was excellent, the company sparkling and the raffle table heaving with prizes. The evening concluded with a tuneful rendition of “For she’s a jolly good fellow”, sung to express our thanks to Rosie for all her hard work and a successful spring concert. |
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| Spring Concert 2017 |
| The sun came out for our Spring concert at All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl. Conductor Rosie Howarth had put together a varied programme of music which was enjoyed by audience and choristers alike. The first half featured Mendelssohn, Handel and a romantically musical contemporary setting of “Love Divine” by Howard Goodall which the choir sang with real feeling. Soloist Sarah Jane Griffiths, well known locally, performed two songs from Faure and Schubert. To round off the first half the choir performed “Zadok The Priest” with huge gusto and enthusiasm. The second half featured John Rutter’s “Requiem”, written in 1985 in memory of the composer’s father. It’s a small scale work, underlining a theme of light and consolation and accompanied by restrained instrumentation; five young students from The Royal College of Music and Drama joined harpist Angharad Edwards to form the CBO Rutter Ensemble especially for the evening. Now we are starting rehearsals for our summer concert, which will be a lighthearted and joyful journey through well known opera choruses. |
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 Photos by courtesy of Ewart Davies. Many thanks. |
| Die Fledermaus |
| Members of the choir went to a most unusual production of Die Fledermaus on Sat 1st, to support conductor Rosie who is assistant musical director of Opera’r Ddraig. The production took place at the “Spit and Sawdust” in Cardiff, a skateboard centre, the action playing around the skate ramps and the audience who sat at small tables enjoying food and drink from a pop up Mexican café outside. A great night out! |
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| Singing to a Different Tune! |
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| Choir members and guests found themselves singing heartily to the accompaniment of members of The Porthcawl Ukele Band at a fund raising social evening in February. The Band entertained with a variety of songs, all familiar; The Beatles, Rock and Roll, skiffle tunes – with a lot of humour and jokes along the way. The evening took place in St. Mary’s church hall, Bridgend, and ‘cafe’ seating with drinks and nibbles helped it all go with a swing. It was a great night. The fundraising committee has worked hard for many months. Fashion show Oct. 3016 raised £406.62 Jewellery evening November raised £242 Trip to Bath Xmas market raised £201Thank you Joan Jeffries and all her helpers. |
| Making a Joyful Noise – Christmas Concert 2016 |
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| From slow and serious to light and sparkling, our Christmas concert presented the audience in All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, with music to delight all tastes. The opening “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham was accompanied by a brass quintet of young students from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, who then went on to play a selection of well known Christmas music put together for brass by John Iveson. He called it ‘Christmas Crackers” and it certainly lived up to its name. The main piece of the first half was Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”, with harpist Angharad Edwards joining our accompanist Glenn Crooks on the organ. The opening piece, “Procession”, was sung by our two soloists, Catrin Raymond and Grace Wyatt, who started singing at the back of the church and proceeded down the aisle, raising hairs on the back of the audience’s neck. The final piece, also sung by the soloists, had them returning to the back of the church, their voices fading away beautifully. This was a challenging piece for singers and harpist; Angharad’s fast fingering was most impressive.The second half of the programme featured Welsh and English carols, some with a twist; “Jazz Carols” by contemporary composer Will Todd and a version of “Tua Bethlehem Dref” which conductor Rosie Howarth married with a very familiar accompaniment from “Walking through the Air”. Yes, it worked well! Soloists and harpist delighted us with their own chosen pieces, and the evening ended with everyone joining in “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”.This was our first concert with our new conductor, Rosie Howarth, and it was a most enjoyable, colourful evening. A lively, varied programme, talented students from the RWCMD – a night to remember. We were delighted to see the Mayors of Porthcawl and Bridgend Town, Bridgend County and their respective partners. We always appreciate their support.Our thanks go to Canon Masson, who always make us welcome and who mans the interval bar which warms the audience too. And thanks also to the backstage and front of house helpers. The unsung heroes and heroines! |
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| Summer Concert July 2016 |
| In spite of distinctly cool weather, we certainly created a very warm atmosphere for the audience with our summer concert. The first half celebrated a Welsh miscellany, featuring a number of arrangements of well known songs by our conductor, Edward-Rhys Harry. He had composed a new work, “Don’t go Chasing Shadows” to commemorate the Aberfan disaster 50 years ago this October. Dedicated to ‘his friends at Cor Bro Ogwr’, it was a moving tribute and we were proud to sing its premiere.The British Sinfonietta produced an amazing sound as it accompanied us in Karl Jenkins’ ‘Stabat Mater’, music which stretches both voices and orchestra. A late cancellation by our mezzo soloist, due to illness, saw our soprano, Angharad Davies, kindly stepping in to help out with some mezzo singing too.It was a pleasure to see All Saints’ church so full; the Mayors of Porthcawl, Bridgend and Mayoress of Cowbridge all attended, while Canon Masson manned the interval bar.It was of course an emotional concert as yet again, we said goodbye to Edward-Rhys Harry. But I am sure we will see him in the future; he will be keeping an eye on us as we start a new term with our new conductor, Rosie Howarth. |
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| “DON’T GO CHASING SHADOWS” and the Aberfan Commemmorative Events. |
| This was such a beautiful song that Edward had composed, that we looked at ways to present it to a wider audience. Our concert photographer, Ewart Davies, was booked to video it, but contractual issues meant we could not manage to put it out on social media. However, it was useful to be made aware of this in case we decide to try again. |
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| Guess Where We Are? |
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| Choristers from Cor Bro Ogwr were in a different choral uniform the weekend of May 8th, when some of us joined 1400 other singers at The Royal Albert Hall, London, for a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. Organised by The Big Chorus, keen singers came from 12 countries for the experience of rehearsal and concert under the baton of Brian Kay. It turned out to be the hottest weekend of the year but we kept our cool as the conductor put us through our paces. We all agreed that the orchestra and soloists were wonderful and the sound of so many choristers was spine tingling.It was also a social event of course; we stopped at Newbury for lunch on the way there, had time in London for whatever took our fancy – museums, theatre, shopping or just walking in the park, and visited Windsor for a few hours on our return. Unfortunately it was raining as we arrived back but our spirits weren’t dampened! |
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| Annual Dinner 2016 |
| The choir’s social life continues with their annual dinner, this year held at The Heronston Hotel. In a week’s time a coach load of our choristers will be joining other choirs from all over the country at The Royal Albert Hall, London, for a Scratch performance of Verdi’s Requiem, under the baton of conductor Brian Kay. This is an event organised by ‘The Really Big Chorus’ and it’s always exciting to meet and sing with so many others. Cor Bro Ogwr was formed 18 years ago following a performance of the Requiem by what was Eisteddfod Choir in Bridgend, so this work holds many memories for us. And there will be plenty of time to “do London”, with a morning stop at Windsor on the way home. |
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| Conductor’s Farewell Concert |
| The choir’s “Mainly Mozart” concert in All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, was a fitting tribute to its conductor, Nicholas Bromilow. Choir, soloists and orchestra combined to give a magnificent performance, the highlight of which was Mozart’s Requiem, sung with passion and confidence. It was pleasing to see such a large audience, with Madeleine Moon, Carwyn Jones (our President), Wyn Griffiths, Town and Borough Mayors also attending.At the end of the evening Nick thanked choir and audience, paying special tribute to our long time accompanist, Glenn Crooks. He told the choir committee that he had never met such a hardworking group, and thanked chairman John Trotter personally for his help and encouragement. Recently Nick has taken on more choirs and studies and felt no longer able to give Cor Bro Ogwr the time it deserved. He expressed his gratitude for the experience the choir had given him and under his baton, we too have learned much. Our former conductor, Edward-Rhys Harry, is stepping in for the summer term while the choir auditions for a new conductor. For more information tel. 01446 775356. Next concert Friday 15th July All Saints’ Church |
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| February / March News 2016 |
| Two very enjoyable fundraising activities took place recently. Mike ‘consonant’ Clubb from our bass section gave us another interesting talk, this time on the Bridgend Arsenal. Contrary projectors gave Mike the opportunity to pepper his talk with even more humour than usual; his talks are always entertaining and informative, and more than a few members of the audience had relatives who worked in the Arsenal and remembered their stories. Wine and nibbles contributed to the enjoyment and organiser Joan Jefferies went to a great deal of trouble to present Mike with a basket of appropriate goodies as a thank you. |
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| A quite different event was the recital given by our well loved accompanist, Glenn Crooks. One half on the organ, the other on piano, it was an evening that showcased his talents. It was a really varied programme, from well known Debussy to excerpts from G & S and the Radetzky March (and yes, the audience clapped to the chorus ) to a piece from Zamecnik, known for his silent screen music. We could almost see the ghost of Charlie Chaplin. Glenn is so modest and positively shrinks when praised; but there is no doubt that the choir would be lost without him.Thanks to the committee organisers and helpers for providing pleasure and profit! |
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| December News 2015 |
| ‘Music for Christmas’ concertIn spite of wet and wind, and a slightly depleted choir due to the seasonal bugs, Cor Bro Ogwr gave a rousing and heartwarming concert in All Saints’ Church. The programme of Mozart, Holst, Vaughan Williams and some familiar Welsh carols proved very popular with the audience. Bridgend Town Council Mayor’s consort, Mrs. Jacqueline White, said how moved she was by the choir’s final piece, which was “Anfonaf Angel”, by Robat Arwyn and commissioned especially for Bryn Terfel. We may not have sounded quite like him… |
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| Bass soloist Ben Tomlin joined us again and his rendition of “O Holy Night” had us all rapt. We were privileged to have a ‘glittering’ front row listening to us; our President Carwyn Jones, finding time from his busy schedule, Porthcawl and Bridgend Town Mayors, Deputies and Bridgend Borough County Mayor. We are grateful to receive their support. |
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| At the end of this year we must express our gratitude to our conductor, Nick Bromilow, calm and patient at all times, and our most modest accompanist Glenn Crooks, without whom our rehearsals and concerts would not be the same |
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Please find attached the link to our Virtual Vivaldi. It is an unlisted YouTube video so only people with the link can access it.
Hope everyone enjoys.
Best wishes, Ben
Virtual Vivaldi: https://youtu.be/UdIL-9SmX94
Côr Bro Ogwr 