Choir on song for Eisteddfod

THE Warrington Male Voice Choir is preparing to take part in the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod this weekend.
Now in its 67th year, the festival is one of the most famous music competitions and is renowned across the world.
Against a background of ongoing concerts and performances, rehearsals over the past eight months have seen the choir working on a contrasting programme of up to 12 minutes of music, as laid down by the competition rules, which must include; a work composed before 1800, an unaccompanied work and an original work composed by a living composer from the choirs’ native country.
Choir Chairman, Bob Williams said: “All those members singing on Saturday – not to mention the musical staff – have worked extremely hard to reach what I believe will be a ‘winning’ standard.
“In fact, hopefully, it will be the final part of a hat trick of wins I have told family and friends would happen – the British and Irish Lions winning the series against Australia, Andy Murray winning at Wimbledon and Warrington Male Voice Choir holding the trophy aloft at Llangollen. I’m just sorry I didn’t put any money on!”
The choir made their first appearance at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 1948, just one year after the festival – and town – had welcomed the musical world for the first time. Since then the choir has been prize winners several times, including runners-up in 1998 and 2010.
A win this year would see them scoop the International Trophy and £1,500 in prize money.