After being offered 2 tickets and the chance to go and see The Brighton Welsh Male Voice Choir, who were giving a performance at The Church of the Good Shepherd, in Dyke Road, from which the money raised was going to the Marlets Hospice and Neighbourhood Watch and accepting them, I was pleasantly surprised. Welsh male voice choirs are not my first choice of an evening spent listening to music, however this particular choir I have to say were excellent.
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They were formed in 1978 to indulge lovers of the traditional Welsh male singing voice, allowing such admirers of Welsh male voice choirs the chance of one they could see in concert locally, knowing that the money raised from the tickets purchased would go towards supporting local organisations and charities. So not only would you be able to enjoy an evening listening to a choir and style of music that you are passionate about, you would also feel that your hard earned money would be well spent into the bargain.

For many years the Brighton Welsh Male Voice Choir have helped numerous charities and other worthy local organisations through their fundraising. They have performed in many venues both locally and further afield, one being the Royal Albert Hall. They not only entertain in this country but have held concerts in France, Sweden and Ireland. You could say that they travel exceptionally well.

On the evening I had the chance to see and hear them for myself, the Brighton Welsh Male Voice Choir sang their way through a varied repertoire of songs, some I even knew to my delight, such as Ave Verum, With Cat Like Tread and Autumn Leaves, they even sang a few in Welsh. Moreover as an added treat on the night they had a soloist harpist called Naomi Sinstadt, an extremely talented young lady. If you get the chance to catch this choir in concert I could certainly recommend that you do, I had the opportunity to spend an evening listening to a choir that had such an enrapturing quality about them.

If you love to sing and not along the pop idol lines, you would be welcome to drop into one of the Brighton Welsh Male Voice Choir's rehearsals, which are held on Monday's at 7.30pm. You would not be obliged to sing or stay, but if you wished to join in you would be most welcome. Also you do not have to speak Welsh as the songs sung in this language can be taught to you by the Welsh speaking members, who are very supportive and patient, so I am informed. The social camaraderie and friendships built within the choir far outweigh the small commitment that becoming a member brings.

Interested? Then why not give Geoff Bentham their Concert Secretary a call on 665 933 (in the daytime, Monday to Friday or 770 261 at evenings or weekends). You can even check out their website at www.brightonwelshmalevoicechoir.org.uk.

Written by Jennifer Wakeham.