Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir
The Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir was formed in 1984 by mainly Welsh migrants who wished to bring the male-voice tradition of their homeland to Victoria. It has kept that heritage while shaping a distinctive Australian sound and a wide concert repertoire.
Since its formation in 1984 the choir has undergone continuous change, yet its first priority has always been the highest possible musical standards – a lofty ideal for an amateur group. With Musical Director Douglas Heywood and accompanist Linda O'Brien its repertoire expanded greatly while still retaining a core of Welsh music.
The choir is often called on for prestigious and sometimes unusual events. In early 1997 it performed at Government House, Melbourne, to commemorate Australia Day; earlier it appeared at a gala concert at the Melbourne Tennis Centre for the Royal Australian Air Force’s 75th anniversary. During the Welsh Rugby Union side’s 1996 tour of Australia it led the anthems at Melbourne’s Olympic Park.
It is at home on any stage, from the Melbourne Concert Hall to the tiny Toongabbie Mechanics’ Institute in the heart of Gippsland, and in 1997 toured South Africa for the first time.
Phillip Smith M.I.M.T. – Phillip was appointed Director of Music in June 1995. His training and career include performing membership of the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, the Australian Choral Society and the Choral Society of the Australian National University. He has also sung as baritone and tenor with the Canberra Operatic Society. He is an active member of the Australian National Choral Association and the Royal School of Church Music, a member of the Institute of Music Teachers, and formerly National Co-ordinator with Youth Music Australia.
Linda O'Brien (B.A. BMus. (Hons) LMus.A) – Linda joined as accompanist in 1996 and at once raised the choir’s standard and repertoire. A Music/Arts graduate of the University of Melbourne, with majors in piano performance, French and mathematics, she has travelled extensively and for several years was based in Montpellier, France, studying jazz piano. As a freelance accompanist she performs regularly with the Australian Pops Orchestra, the Victorian Arts Centre, the Australian Girls’ Choir and the Victorian Brass Bands League.
Artist's website: melbournewelshchoir.com.au
Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir is featured on the following titles
Millennium Magic
Live from the Melbourne Concert Hall on St David's Day 2000, the Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir's first solo concert of the new millennium, with Linda O'Brien, Rhys Boak, Delyth Stafford and Lynlee Williams.
Last Christmas
Live from the Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir’s 10th Anniversary Christmas Charity Concert in 1999, this recording supports Mid-Eastern Palliative Care with Welsh favourites, carols and seasonal song.
Senzenina
The Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir and friends offer an eclectic programme of favourites, African songs and chants, with guest soloists drawn from past ‘Singers of the Year’.
Great Southern Lands
The Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir marks a South African concert tour with Welsh hymnody, folk song, spirituals and a Zulu–Xhosa chant under conductor Phillip Smith.
Heritage
The Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir celebrate Victoria’s architectural heritage in song, recorded in the unaltered acoustics of National Trust colonial buildings.
The Welsh in Australia, Vol. 2
Volume two gathers hymns and traditional Welsh songs in commemoration and celebration of St David, uniting two Victorian male voice choirs in concert and community hymn singing.
The Welsh in Australia, Vol. 1
The Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir and Victorian Welsh Singers join forces under Alwyn Humphreys for a St David’s Day celebration of Welsh hymns and traditional songs.