ABERTILLERY ORPHEUS

We offer the opportunity for men to sing together, while improving their health and musical education and honing their Welsh language skills.

 

We also offer a safe space for men to talk and share, if they wish, within a supportive environment.

 

 

You will not be required to have an embarrassing voice test in front of other people, just a short 5 minutes with our Musical Director to enable him to place you in the most appropriate singing section - if you are embarrassed to come along on your own not knowing any one, then please bring a friend with you as there is always plenty of room for all.

 

You do not necessarily need to be a Pavarotti or a Bryn Terfel to join the Choir (although it helps). it is more important that you have a pleasant musical voice that is able to blend with others.

 

The choir is always looking for prospective new members, so why not come along to our rehearsals and find out what we are all about.

 

There is a small weekly subscription which can be paid in person or, if you wish, you can set up a standing order

for payment. If you want more

information contact us via email or

come along to Ebeneezer Baptist

Church where choir practice takes

place on Tuesday evenings at 6.45pm to 9.00pm.

 

 

Ebenezer Baptist Church, Park Place, Abertillery NP13 1ED

 

 

 

Dates for your Diary - 2023

 

Sunday 3rd December

Patron's Advent Concert

Kempley

Gloucester

 

---------

 

Saturday 17th December

Community Christmas Concert

St Michaels Church

Abertillery

 

---------

 

Friday 22nd December

Christmas Concert

Clarence Hall

Crickhowell

 

***************************************

 

 

 

MUSICAL TEAM

Stephen Bard MA (Musical Director) Stephen was educated locally attending Nanyglo Comprehensive School where he began his music studies under the former choir conductor Mr Martin Budd who was, at that time, Head of Music. Stephen enrolled at Salford College of Technology where he studied for three years graduating with a Graduate Diploma in Band Musicianship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He took his postgraduate Certificate in Education at Bath College of Further Education later attaining a Masters of Arts Degree in Education from the Open University in 1996.

 

Stephen joined the Abertillery Orpheus Choir at the age of 15 and was appointed Assistant Musical Director in September 1991. After serving in that post for 8 years he became the Musical Director.

 

He is also Musical Director of Abertillery Orpheus Ladies Choir and Torfean Male Voice Choir.

 

Penny Hughes (Accompanist) Penny studied Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Piano with varuious International Teachers. Penny has had a succesful career as a piano soloist and won several prizes including the Royal Overseas League competions in London. However it was her love of Ballet that won her over and she became a pianist for several Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D) Schools in London and also provided her services as an additional pianist for the Sadlers Wells Company which is now the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penny moved to Wales in 1990 and some became involved with several R.A.D ballet schools and also local Cecchetti ballet schools where she is the West Wales Associate Painist for the Society. Penny is also on the staff of the Royal Ballet School of London and plays for specialist classes in Bath once per month.

 

She is a highly experienced accompanist with a varied background in music and dance. She divides her time between her ballet work, a busy teaching schedule, and being the accompanist for three choirs.

 

 

MERCHANDISE

 

CDs are available for purchase at all concerts performances. You can also order a CD by contacting Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir

 

 

For more details visit our merchandise page

HEALTH BENEFITS

There is a growing evidence base that highlights the health benefits of singing or playing music in a group.

These activities can be particularly effective for improving mental health and wellbeing, as well as combatting loneliness and isolation. Singing in particular can support lung health and be used to help the management of symptoms for conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s.

 

For more details of the benefits of singing click here

 

 

Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir is listed under Dewis Cymru and is a Health and Well-being Wales Partner.

 

 

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING (Community Referrals)

 

Part of the NHS Personalised Care programme, social prescribing is a way for GPs and local agencies to refer people to a link worker, who takes a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They then connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

 

Social prescribing aligns with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Both of which are founded upon models that recognise the impact of social aspects on health and wellbeing.

 

Social Prescibing Briefing Paper.

Social Prescibing Interfaces.

 

CONCERTS & TOURS

 

We continue to regularly host visiting choirs and in 2019 we hosted a mixed choir from Stavanger, Norway, as well as travelling to Kent for two Concerts, before the Pandemic hit..

 

In 2022 we performed alongside Torbay Police and Community Choir to help them celebrate their 50th Anniversary and later that year we travelled to Chichester, Sussex,

for a joint concert with Solent Male Voice Choir. We also sang at the Usk Choral Festival in Monmouthshire.

 

We were honoured to form part of the on-field male voice choir prior for the Wales vs New Zealand Rugby International at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff on November 2022.

 

Plans for 2023 include a trip to Cornwall to sing with Mevagissey Male Voice Choir and hosting Torbay Police and Community Choir, while in 2024 we return to Weymouth for our RNLI charity concert and travel to Germany to renew choral links with previous Mannesgesangverein.

 

 

LINKS

 

For links to other Welsh Choirs and sites of local interest please visit the Links Page

 

This page also includes links to the choir constitution and policies.

 

 

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page which provides up to date information and memories.

 

 

 

BOOK US

 

We welcome enquiries from other choirs regarding joint concerts and we also welcome enquires from individuals and corporations to sing at Weddings, Corporate or promotional events, Birthdays and fund raisers. Funerals can be difficult to accomodate due to being weekdays and sometimes at short notice..

 

If you would like to discuss booking the choir please contact us by email below.The choir looks forward to the future with great confidence in the knowledge that our music helps enrich the lives of audiences both locally and further afield. Many charities have received financial benefit from concerts performed by the choir, a tradition it is hoped will continue in the years to come.

 

We are currently taking Concert bookings through till 2024, although we are happy to discuss longer term planning for Weddings and International and large scale events.

 

 

GALLERY & CHOIR HISTORY

 

To view the history of the choir and historic photos of the choir please visit our photo gallery

 

 

WEDDINGS

For details of our Wedding services please visit our Wedding page

 

 

 

FRIENDS OF THE CHOIR / VICE PRESIDENTS

 

To join the Friends of Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir or to become a Vice President click here:

 

 

CHORISTERS (Current)

 

A list of current Choristers can be found here: