Brecon Choir Festival 2024
Our 2024 Festival is now over but we look forward to welcoming you next year:
17th - 20th July 2025
Brecon Singers and Festival Chorus present The Armed Man
Brecon Cathedral
Songs of Passion with Welsh Tenor Ceri Davies
Festival Hike to
The Crug
Fri 19 July, 2.30pm
Depart from The Muse
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Enjoy a gentle walk with other festival goers up onto The Crug to enjoy spectacular views of of The Beacons.
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Approx walking time: 45 mins each way.
'Welsh Cakes and a Cuppa': Festival meet and greet.
The Muse
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After the hike, from 4.30pm our Festival Hub at The Muse will be serving Welsh Cakes and a cuppa.
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Get to know other festival attendees over a brew and Janet Williams' famous homemade cakes.
The Zulu Welsh: a Symphony of Voices
Fri 19 July, 7.30pm
Theatr Brycheiniog
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In an updated programme Busi Mhlanga and her Zulu Ndebele singers are joining forces with local favourites Aberhonddu and District Male Voice Choir
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Expect mesmerising melodies, vibrant outfits infused with rhythmic African drumming, as the traditions of Zulu maidens and warriors are channelled in dance and song.
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The combined programme will be a spectacular sharing of Welsh and Zulu musical cultures.
The Friday Afterglow
Fri 19 July, 9.30pm
The Clarence Inn
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Join the concert choirs and our community in the pub for a rousing communal sing...with a pint or two!
Singing Fundamentals Workshop
Sat 20 July 10am - 12 noon
The Hall @ Watton Church
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Are you struggling vocally?
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Do you find that your voice is tired and your throat sore after a rehearsal?
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Do you dread high notes?
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Do you wish you knew how to make these problems better and unlock some of that potential that you think you might have but are unable to achieve?
Gigi Galletta will deliver a two hour group workshop aimed at singers of all levels of experience and ability interested in learning the techniques they need to enhance their vocal health, range and stamina.
With a focus on the fundamentals of breathing, resonance and support, and understanding your body and vocal physiology, Gigi's techniques have been honed in a career spanning over 40 years of vocal education. Her successful approach has enabled many past students to go on to study voice at all the major music colleges in the UK.
Sign up and see if you can learn something that will make you a happier and healthier singer!
Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here
Children's Voices
Sat 20 July, 10.30am
St Mary's Church
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In the weeks leading up to the festival local children will be enjoying some singing workshops with the South Powys Youth Music Team
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Come and enjoy the wonderful sound they will have created!
Henry Vaughan: Music, Mountains and Memory
Sat 20 July, 11.00am
The Neuadd, Christ College
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Hear Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury speak alongside Professor Helen Wilcox and Dr Elizabeth Siberry of The Vaughan Association ahead of the Continuum concert.
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Learn how Vaughan saw music in nature and how it inspired him to write his poetry set by famous composers through the ages
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Food and refreshments will be available to purchase between the talk & the concert.
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Entry for the talk is free with a ticket for Continuum sing Henry Vaughan.
Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here
Continuum sing Henry Vaughan
Sat 20 July, 12.30pm
The Chapel, Christ College
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Listen to rising stars of the British choral scene Continuum in an ancient chapel.
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Singers are drawn from world class choral institutions including Trinity College Cambridge and St John's College Cambridge.
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Inspired by the poems of local Welsh poet, Henry Vaughan, the programme includes many British choral classics by the likes of Parry, Holst, Howells and Purcell.
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Music includes 'Songs of Farewell' by Parry including famous Vaughan settings as heard at The Queen's funeral.
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Enjoy for the first time the world premiere of The Morning-Watch set by Welsh composer Geraint Lewis commissioned as part of this 2024 Brecon Choir Festival.
Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here
The Festival Choir Trail
Sat 20 July, gather from 2.45pm
Start from the Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog
Watch, Listen and Join in with our choirs:
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3.00pm @ the Canal Basin: Nautical Numbers with Men’s Shed Shanty Chorus
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3.30pm @ y Gaer: Sounds of the City with Côr Y Boro (Borough Welsh Choir).
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4.00pm @ St Mary’s: Voices of The Beacons with Aberhonddu & District Male Choir.
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4.40pm - Pit Stop at The Tap and The Wellington with World Music from Alive & Kickin’ and The Uplift Choirs.
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5pm @ The Plough Chapel: Trail Finale: Renaissance Masterpieces with The Dolor Consort.
Grand Concert: London Welsh Male Voice Choir
Sat 20 July, 7.00pm
Brecon Cathedral
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Hear the famous 'Red Jackets' of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir led by Edward Rhys-Harry, in a virtuoso evening at our ancient Brecon Cathedral
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The choir has appeared twice at the Royal Variety Command Performances and have recorded with Charlotte Church, Aled Jones and Bryn Terfel
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Penelope George, the winner of our 2024 Young Singer Award will perform a solo alongside the choir
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Hear and join in with the power of the legendary Welsh National Anthem to close
The Saturday Afterglow
Sat 20 July, 9.30pm
The Clarence Inn
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Enjoy a second evening of rousing song for one of our great Festival Afterglows, this time alongside the Red Jackets of the London Welsh.
This event is now sold out.
Book pre-concert supper with The Hours Cafe in the cathedral close.
Morning Eucharist with The Dolor Consort
Sun 21 July, 9.30am
St Mary's Church
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Join St Mary's Church for a special morning Eucharist in the heart of Brecon
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Hear the beautiful sounds of early music specialists The Dolor Consort led by MD Richie Zhang
Vaughan in Memory: Brecon in Revolution!
Sun 21 July, 10.30am
Leaving from St. Mary's Church
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Learn about the British Civil Wars in Brecon and beyond with historian and Brecon resident Dr Sarah Ward Clavier.
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Expect to hear of Brecon soldiers, skirmishes, and intrigue, all of which provided the background to Vaughan's life and work.
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Walk ends at Priory Groves, the setting of a famous Vaughan poem.
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Tour will last approx. one hour. Bring sturdy footwear.
Solstice Chorale Ensemble sing Brahms, Bruckner and Vaughan
Sun 21 July, 12 noon
The Chapel, Christ College
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Hear this Cardiff based octet made up of current and graduate vocal students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama sing a Romantic masterpiece.
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Established in 2022 to expand on a love of choral singing, their past performances range from the music of Tallis to Whitacre, with highlights including performances of Faure's Requiem and Brahms Neue Liebeslieder.
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Recent performances include the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Festival, and the Sounds Sublime Festival in collaboration with The Sixteen.
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Watch out for music by Bruckner in his 200th anniversary year and including the premiere of a new piece of music by Tomos Owen Jones set to Vaughan's poem The Waterfall.
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Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here
Noncert performance of Edward Lear's Nonsense Alphabets
Sun 21 July, 2pm
The Muse
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Join Brecon based composer Rod Paton and his New Ascension Singers for an adventure through Edward Lear's Nonsense Alphabets.
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Local cellist Sonia Hammond will support with original improvisation.
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Audience participation is guaranteed.
Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here
Come and Sing Festival Evensong
Sun 21 July, 4.00pm
Brecon Cathedral
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Experience a unique British choral tradition and join the cathedral choir and congregation for their Festival Evensong
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Music includes Stanford in B flat and Let All The World by Vaughan Williams
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String players from the Gwent Community Wind Band will be accompanying the event
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Singers to arrive at 2.15pm ahead of a 2.30pm rehearsal
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Those wishing to sing should RSVP to breconchoirfestival@gmail.com by the beginning of July
Festival Finale: Cymanfa Ganu
Sunday 21 July, 6pm
The Plough Chapel
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Experience the unique power of congregational hymn singing in the spectacular Plough Church to close the festival
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Learn iconic Welsh and English tunes alongside fellow festival attendees under the baton of Lynnette Thomas (MD of Aberhonddu and District Male Choir)
Sincere apologies it appears the plug-in from our ticket provider is malfunctioning at the moment. You can book tickets for this concert by a direct link here