Last updated: 19 November 2008
The Ardwyn Singers are recognised as a formidable choral force on the national and world stage.
Having toured widely in the USA, Canada, Ireland, Malta, Germany, Hungary, Barbados and South Africa, performing in the world's finest cathedrals and concert halls, the Ardwyn Singers are keen musical ambassadors for Wales. They have represented Britain in the Commonwealth Arts Festival in Edmonton, Canada and have sung for the Queen in Westminster Abbey.
The choir is busy with public concerts, radio and television broadcasts and commercial recordings throughout the year and also combine with other choirs to perform in 'Opera For All' concerts and large choral works.
Gilbert Kaplan invited them to be part of the chorus in Mahler's Second Symphony with the LSO, which was number one in the British Top 10 CD charts for 52 weeks. They have also recorded a CD of hymns and carols by Vaughan Williams.
Acclaimed for its extraordinary musical and artistic quality, the choir is noted for what has become known as the 'Ardwyn Sound', created by a blend of youth and experience.
They have performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, conductors and soloists, notably Bryn Terfel, Russell Watson, Sarah Brightman, Lesley Garrett, Luciano Pavarotti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
The choir's music appeals to all tastes. Their repertoire is wide, ranging from Renaissance to 20th century music and includes both Welsh and international folk songs.
The choir has given numerous first performances of works by contemporary Welsh composers, including several works by their former President, Professor William Mathias, and Alun Hoddinott's Poetry Of The Earth, which was commissioned for the choir's 30th anniversary celebrations.
The high standards of the choir are reflected in premier prizes and successes in European Festivals, significantly the Llangollen International Eisteddfod (the first Welsh mixed choir to win in 40 years), the Cork International Festival and the Stuttgart Festival. In 1996 it was the only choir to be awarded the Gold Medal in the 75th British Festival of Festivals.
