NZ’s Welsh Love Affair Continues

NZ’s Welsh Love Affair Continues

New Zealand’s love affair with the Welsh is set to continue with four stunning concerts by the world famous North American Welsh Choir. While we can’t see their team perform in the Rugby World Cup final, we can see their choir perform the songs we love from this mighty nation.

The North American Welsh Choir (Côr Cymry Gogledd America) is a community choir that spans a continent, using the magic of the internet to teach its far-flung choristers new songs and music.

Drawing on a rich cultural heritage, the choir strives to create a new musical genre, reflecting what it means to be both Welsh and North American.

Founded in 1998 by Mari Morgan, the 35-member touring choir will feature choristers who live in 25 United States and three Canadian provinces. The choristers are virtually connected using their website as an intranet communications hub. The information repository for the choir, www.nawr.com/corcymry, holds regional rehearsal and concert schedules, practice song tracks, lessons in Welsh pronunciation, and community news. An email newsletter completes the electronic picture.

The choristers include the descendants of Welsh immigrants, expatriates, and those who feel connected with the music and the community that is Côr Cymry Gogledd America.

October 30, Rotorua 2pm St. Luke’s Church KOHA ENTRY
November 1, Wellington* 7:30pm Concert at the Opera House with guest choir –

The Wellington Male Voice Choir WWW.TICKETEK.CO.NZ

November 4, Dunedin 7:30pm St. Paul’s Cathedral FREE
November 5, Queenstown 7:30pm St. Peter’s church, Queenstown RETIRING COLLECTION

* In Wellington, the North American Welsh Choir shares the stage with the Wellington Male Voice Choir to celebrate the great Welsh past time – choral and community singing.

Mari Morgan is dedicated to bringing music making to the community at large.

Under her leadership, the choir has commissioned and championed works by Welsh-North American composers such as Hilary Tann, Karen Thomas, Owen Burdick, Victor Davies and David Thomas and writer Menna Elfyn.

Building on techniques developed for Côr Cymry, Mari took on the role of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the British Council’s Sporting Nations Community Choirs in Argentina. Formed to celebrate Argentina’s 2010 bicentenary, the choir is open to people across the country using on-line learning resources and regional rehearsal centers in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Chubut in Patagonia. The choir’s repertoire is drawn from each member country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (U.K.) and celebrates the special sporting relationship between the U.K. and Argentina.

As a mezzo-soprano, Mari’s professional resume spans three continents and includes concerts, festivals, masterclasses, and workshops, as well as recitals and opera roles.

Mari Morgan has received many awards. She received the National Welsh-American Foundation’s prestigious Welsh Heritage Medallion at the North American Festival of Wales in 2009. She was also honored by the National Eisteddfod in Wales being the Leader of Welsh People from Overseas at the 2000 Eisteddfod in her hometown of Llanelli.

NEW ZEALAND TOUR REPERTOIRE
Folk:
Ar Hyd y Nos
Suo Gân

Sacred:
Benedictus
Rwy'n dy weld yn sefyll
What does the Lord require/Beth gais yr Arglwydd gennych chwi?
Yr Arglwydd yw fy Mugail / Salm 23 - older, unaccompanied version
Y Tangnefeddwyr
Gwahoddiad (TTBB)
Morte Christe (TTBB)

Popular:
A Gwnaeth y Sêr
Hafan Gobaith
O Gymru

Various:
Adiemus
Hymn (SSAA)
Kayama (SSAA)
Reminiscence

Encore:
Sia Hamba

Anthems:
God Defend New Zealand
Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Wales)

ends

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