The history of the present Denbigh Male Voice Choir starts in 1988.
Gareth Roberts spent many weeks trying to persuade men to form a male voice choir in Denbigh.
Choir Conductors and Accompanists
He succeeded to get Mrs Phyllis Dryhurst-Dodd, recently returned to her home town of Denbigh, to become the Musical Director.
Mrs Phyllis Dryhurst Dodd and John Tudor Davies in Corwen Pavillion at a rehearsal for the Festival Of 1,000 Voices 2000.
Whilst living in Mid Wales, she was the Musical Director of the successful Llanfair Caereinion Male Voice Choir for several years.
Listen to chairman Paul Harrison, talking on Radio Deeside in 2015, about the formation of the choir and the choir’s gratitude to Flint Male Voice Choir for their kindness:
For the first few months the choir accompanist was Julie Howatson. Then, Dorothy Kirk, former Head of Music in a school in Liverpool, was appointed for the next 15 years.
Led by the formidable duo of Phyllis and Dorothy, the choir went from strength to strength. Sadly Phyllis passed away in 2001.
Choir Musical Directors
Joyce Davies and Arwyn Roberts, formed a successful partnership in the History of Denbigh Male Voice Choir.
When Phyllis sadly passed away Arwyn Roberts took up the baton.
A musically talented and very experienced founder member of the choir.
Arwyn had sung with several other choirs.
He continued to improve and enhance the choir’s performance.
Arwyn decided that, in the Autumn of 2019, after 18 years sterling service, it was time to hand over choral responsibilities.
Nia Wyn Jones,
Musical Director.
In December 2019 a new Musical Director was appointed.
Nia Wyn Jones, who has previous experience with the choir, started her official duties in January 2020.
Effects of Covid Pandemic
The Covid virus lockdown changed societies worldwide.
Singing came to a stop.
As a consequence the Choir lost the services of Musical Director Nia Wyn Jones, and accompanist Nia Mary Jones.
Sam Pritchard, Musical Director & Accompanist
Once the Covid restrictions were lifted, and it appeared that the choir may be able to resume practicing, the choir committee commenced a search for both a Musical Director and an Accompanist.
In September 2021 the committee were fortunate to interview Robert Samuel Pritchard (Sam) as a new prospective Musical Director. Sam graduated in music at Trinity College, Carmarthen and further graduated as a teacher at Bangor University.
During the interview Sam indicated that he would prefer to be the choir’s Musical Director and Accompanist, performing the dual role. Having always had both an MD and Accompanist, to appoint Sam to the dual role would be a leap of faith. Due to Sam’s effusive and eager character the committee took that leap and the rest is now history.
When the choir was due to restart practices following Covid only seventeen existing choristers returned. Under Sam’s enthusiastic and extremely talented leadership the choir has increased to double that number of choristers.
The overwhelming social media support confirms Sam’s appointment as a popular choice.
Choir Accompanists
Dorothy Kirk decided to retire in 2004. She was a very hard act to follow. A talented young teacher, Sioned Jones, continued for eighteen months. Then came Ann Edwards.
Joyce Davies a retired music teacher, soon became our permanent accompanist.
She became a huge asset to the choir. She continued to faithfully give of her services
Nia Jones Choir Accompanist
despite moving to live in Oswestry.
After sterling service and much travelling on behalf of the choir, Joyce decided to retire in March 2016.
Nia Jones was appointed as her replacement in March 2016.
Choir Membership
The choir’s membership fluctuates between 20 and 40. Men who enjoy both the singing and the camaraderie of the choir.
Members who have been in other choirs often say that this is their happiest choir experience.
The first meeting and practice held in Capel Mawr school room on 10 October 1988 attracted a motley bunch of 17 men.
Some were experienced singers. A few with just a little experience. Others were complete novices.
Charity Support
The choir is a truly community choir. It has always concentrated on concert engagements. It also supports both local charities and national charities and other organisations..
Similarly, other annual dates are the Festival of Remembrance at the town’s War Memorial and the inauguration of the town’s Mayor.
Several thousands of pounds have been raised for local organisations including St Kentigern’s Hospice. National charities such as the NSPCC, Diabetic Association, Blind Veterans, Marie Curie and Guide dogs for the blind have also received our support.
History of Denbigh Male Voice Choir and Travels
The history of Denbigh Male Voice Choir is not confined to Denbigh. Moreover, it has taken part in the Festival of Massed Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall on four occasions.
Outside of Wales it has performed extensively in England. From Cumbria in the north, down to a Methodist Chapel in London.
Furthermore, the twinning with Biebertal in Germany started around the same time as the choir. A strong relationship with our German friends persists.
Visits to Germany have been made on several occasions, as well as entertaining them during their visits to Denbigh.
We have also visited Ireland on two occasions. The first visit was to Tralee, County Kerry. in order to compete in the Pan-Celtic Festival where we gained second prize.
Galway was our second visit where we performed a concert at the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc Theatre. You can watch the choir performing ‘Calm Is The Sea’ in Galway here.
The choir features in an advertising campaign in the USA for tourism to Wales. We also have regular visitors at rehearsal by people from the USA and other world-wide places.
Choir Claim to Fame
One of our greatest claims to fame is that we appeared world wide on BBC television on Millennium Eve. Singing Dylan Thomas’s Evening Prayer live by the River Elwy in St Asaph on the Millenium Eve.
In conclusion, we never claim to be the best choir in North Wales. Most of all, we pride ourselves on our ability to entertain and to spread the culture of Male choral singing far and wide.
