Choir Chairman Cadeirydd Y Côr: Russell Thomas

It is a great honour to be the Chairman of the Morriston RFC Male Choir.

The pandemic caused a lot of problems for volunteer groups, and choirs were no exception. Early in the pandemic we decided to meet every week via Zoom and also to have a weekly newsletter which enabled choristers to maintain links with all our friends in the Choir. The Zoom meetings early on were filled with laughter with various choristers hosting quizzes and telling jokes. We also had rehearsals, but this proved somewhat difficult to do on Zoom. These activities enabled us as a Choir to get through the hard times and helped maintain our mental health. 

As the restrictions of the Covid pandemic began to ease, it was great to eventually meet up for face to face rehearsals, and our thanks must go to Neath Rugby Club for allowing us to rehearse outside under cover, in their main stand at the Gnoll Ground. We were soon able to start planning ahead for our first concert in almost two years, and to start rehearsing in earnest to ensure that our very high standards were maintained. 

Our “Back Together Again” concert in October 2021 was a very emotional time for a lot of the Choir and also to our many dedicated supporters. We were joined by the Morriston Hospital Emergency Department Choir who gained a standing ovation at the end of their performance. It was also a pleasure to listen to up and coming young soloists Lauren Elizabeth Williams (Soprano) and Osian Clarke (Tenor) from Loud Applause Productions in Llanelli. 

The Choir is indeed fortunate to have a hugely talented and accomplished musical staff and we are indebted to D. Huw Rees, Musical Director, Helen Wyn, Assistant Musical Director, and Accompanists Rhiannon Pritchard and Sian Davies for all their effort, hard work and above all, patience, especially during lockdown. D Huw Rees celebrated 30years service with the choir during lockdown, and the Choir presented him with a special award for his services in 2022. 

We are also immensely privileged to be able to call on the services of Choir President, Huw Tregelles Williams as Guest Organist and for the support, guidance and advice he has given the Choir over many years. 

We are also delighted to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Mrs Louise Fleet, CStJ, JP as our Choir Vice President.

If any men, young or not so young are reading this, please do click on the ‘Join Us’ button on our homepage where you can learn from the experiences of recent new choristers and learn of the fun and health benefits of being in a choir such as ours.

Russell Thomas Chair / Cadeirydd