VWMC Hold Number One Position as the Largest Welsh Men’s Choir in Canada
VANCOUVER – Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir (VWMC) was recently voted number two most popular choir in downtown Vancouver.
This prompted a study of other numbers associated with the choir and its audiences. The numbers reveal surprising aspects of this volunteer choir that may explain its longevity as a Vancouver choral powerhouse.
Its current 633 song repertoire includes spirituals, folk songs, show tunes, opera arias, sea shanties, pop songs, and diverse ethnic music. It’s the “must hear” choir for its renditions of classic Welsh male singing.
The 100 member-strong choir ensures an average 75 to 85 man concert stage turnout, the largest in Vancouver.
The VWMC started 32 years ago with six Welsh charter members. The list now includes men from 19 nationalities.
They perform up to 18 concerts a year, which may include selections from seven languages. It has performed about 2,500 concerts within B.C. and hundreds internationally.
Three recording sessions a year keep their performances for posterity and during their 2011 Christmas concert season, six Elvis impersonators rocked their performances.
The choir’s two professionals, accompanist David Buchan and director Jonathan Quick, ensure its number one position as largest senior Welsh men’s choir in Canada.
In June 2011 the choir played its first “north of 53” tour through Northern B.C. They included eight performances, from Prince Rupert to Terrace, Kitimat, New Hazelton, Smithers, Prince George, and Quesnel, delivering a unique musical experience for the communities, plus a couple of choral workshops for secondary school students.
Future engagements include a July 2012 concert tour of England, Scotland and Wales, with plans to join a 1,000 voice Welsh Choir Choral Olympiad preceding the London Olympic Games.
A few Welsh “ex-pats” established VWMC in 1980 to exercise their passion for singing. In 32 years, the choir’s universal appeal has attracted hundreds of singers from diverse backgrounds, and appreciative Vancouver area audiences.
The remaining VWMC 2012 spring concerts in B.C. are May 5 and 12, and June 19. For details and ticket information, see: www.vwmc.ca. |
