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As one of the oldest established choirs in Wales, we take immense pride in our commitment to preserving the rich traditions of choral music while simultaneously embracing modern values that emphasise support and wellbeing for all our members.

The Caerphilly Male Voice Choir has always been more than just a musical ensemble; it is a supportive community that fosters camaraderie, personal growth, and emotional connection among its choristers.

As we continue on our journey, we are excited to announce some significant changes designed to ensure our choir has the necessary structure to grow and thrive in the years to come. We believe that evolution is essential, and with this in mind, we are taking proactive steps to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of choral music.

First and foremost, we would like to take a moment to honour our former patrons – Mr RE Howells,
Mr GL Hill, and, of course, Mr John Samuel – who dedicated their time and efforts to support numerous choirs in our region.

Their contributions have left an indelible mark on our community, and we are grateful for their legacy.

In recognition of Mr Samuel’s outstanding work, there will be a memorial service held at Llandaff Cathedral in July 2025. Alongside three other choirs, we will gather to pay tribute to his remarkable contributions to the world of music and the profound impact he had on our choirs.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that as of March 2025, we will welcome a new patron to
our choir. It is with great honour that we have Christopher Evans, the Member of Parliament for
Caerphilly, accept this important role.

Having the backing of our local MP during this critical period for choirs is incredibly uplifting news for us and presents a unique opportunity to enhance our initiatives.

Furthermore, we recognize that our choir can play a vital role in supporting the charitable efforts that Mr. Evans champions. We are eager to collaborate with him on various projects, as this partnership will not only strengthen our community ties but also enable us to extend our support to causes that are close to his heart.

We also want to congratulate Mr Evans on his recent involvement with The War Graves Commission, which resonates deeply with our choir’s history. Our organization has a proud heritage that includes members who served in both World Wars, and we find it particularly meaningful to have a patron who appreciates the sacrifices made by former choristers.

The earliest official photograph of the choir dates back to 1919, just after the conclusion of the First World War. This image serves as a poignant reminder of those who are no longer with us and underscores the significance of our shared musical journey.

We are proud to have retired members of the armed forces among our ranks, and together, we extend a warm welcome to our new patron, Mr Evans, with immense pride and gratitude for the meaningful work he will undertake.

As we align our support with Mr Evans, we anticipate that this collaboration will open new doors for
us, allowing us to explore additional venues and charities that we can assist.

These are indeed exciting times for the choir as we continue on our journey, and having Mr Evans’ support is truly incredible. We express our heartfelt thanks to him for stepping into a role of such importance to us.

Mr Evans said: “I was delighted to have been asked to become a patron of the Caerphilly Male Voice
Choir. They are far more than a choir; they are an important part of our community here in Caerphilly
and have been for generations.

“I am looking forward to supporting and working alongside the choir in the coming years as they go
from strength to strength, particularly as they celebrate their important 120th anniversary in 2026. I
would encourage anyone who wants to be a part of such a great organisation to come to one of their
meetings.”

We are grateful for Mr. Evans’ commitment, and we extend our sincerest appreciation on behalf of all our
choristers and the trustees of the choir.

Looking forward, we are also excited to announce that in 2026, we will celebrate the 120th anniversary since Mr. Jorden Davies took the baton and officially formed the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir (CMVC).

Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that the roots of our choir extend back to 1896 when the CMVC was initially established, which later merged to form the choir we proudly represent today.

This milestone signifies not just 120 years of tradition but also 130 years of choral heritage to celebrate.

Throughout two World Wars, the Industrial Revolution, and numerous challenging periods, the CMVC has remained a steadfast presence in our community. Even the trials posed by the Covid-19 pandemic could not hinder our passion for music or our dedication to keeping the choir’s spirit alive.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of performing at various celebrations, ranging from royal coronations to local weddings, and in a multitude of remarkable venues and events.

It is with a profound sense of honour and pride in our storied past that we continue to preserve the legacy of our choir.

We eagerly anticipate the future and are excited to forge ahead with the unwavering support. We meet at Bedwas Rugby Club Thursday at 7pm. We need new members to continue on our choral journey. You will be made most welcome.

To add to this, the last 12 years as chairman has been an honour and even more so as I hand over the chairmanship to Mr Wayne Price and become the President of the choir.

John Morgan is president of Caerphilly Male Voice Choir.