Last updated: 19 November 2008
The historic Abertillery Orpheus MVC, one of Wales' premier ensembles for over 100 years.
With a range of recordings released since the 1980s and a great live reputation, the choir continues an active role in its community and the wider world.
"We men of Abertillery love all that belonging to a Male Voice Choir means," they say. "With our singing, comes recollections of our childhood in a dirty, noisy, politically conscious South Wales Valley.
The changes in the local industry haven't changed their outlook: "No longer do we spend our lives in the dark danger of coal mining, since the closure of the last mine in our Valley!
"We have become technicians in clean factories, headmasters, engineers, shop owners, gentleman of retirement and yes, unfortunately some of us are unemployed.
"But our fathers were miners and they sang. They sang in our chapels and we sing with them. We are proud of our heritage."
The Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir was founded in 1908 and was mainly made up of members from local church choirs, the majority of whom were employed in the local coal mines.
Life President Trevor Wilde was a member of the choir for 62 years both as a chorister and as an elocutionist. In 1996 he was awarded the MBE.
"We undertook our first continental tour in 1982 with a visit to Rome during the Easter Period, where we received an audience with Pope John Paul II. He even joined in the singing."
The choir has toured America, Germany, Holland, Spain, France and all around the UK.
"We've sung in many famous halls including the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, The Royal Albert Hall London, and St David's Hall Cardiff.
"In 1992, we took part in the world choir Ten Thousand Voice concert at The National Stadium Cardiff, and was also asked to entertain the crowd at the National Stadium in its own right prior to the Wales v Italy international rugby match."
In 1999 the choir performed in the closing ceremony of the Rugby World Cup at the new Millennium Stadium.
Four recordings have been released: The Tillery Sound (1983), With A Voice of Singing (1987), By Request (1992) and Encore (1997).
"We look 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."
