Choir preparing for first concert back after Covid

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They’ve performed at world-renowned venues like the Royal Albert Hall, toured across the UK and Europe and even performed in the sky and under the sea. But over the last two years, Caerphilly Ladies Choir hasn’t performed at all.

Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, things have been stop-start for the choir. But now, as we edge towards normality, choristers say they are glad to be back.

During the height of lockdown, the choir kept in touch using Zoom, mainly to keep the social aspect of the choir going and for committee meetings, as opposed to practicing.

In-person practicing returned during 2021, but as the virus continued to spread, practice had to be cancelled on a number of occasions due to positive cases.

But the choir is hoping to the put the pandemic behind it as it prepares for its first concert since 2020 on May 27 at the Wesley Methodist Church in Caerphilly.

The concert will be held to raise funds for the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance, with tickets set to go on sale at a later date.

Musical Director Ellie Baker told Caerphilly Observer: “We have to take each week as it comes. Some members are still hesitant about Covid – especially those who have plans coming up or family members they’re protecting, but we’re hesitantly optimistic.

“We’ve just been trying to enjoy it. Before, it was always about our next concert, so this has been a good opportunity to take a step back. It feels like we’re starting again.

“There’s been a few frustrations with visors and masks etc but it’s important everyone feels comfortable.”

Accompanist Beverley Baker said people were “hesitant but generally happy to be back”.

Prior to the pandemic, the choir would perform around 15 concerts a year, raising money for charity in the process. The choir would also go on an annual tour to various parts of the UK, and has even performed in France, Belgium, Germany and Spain.

As well as the three performances at the Royal Albert Hall, the choir has also performed at venues including the Millennium Dome, St David’s Hall, the Millennium Stadium, York Minister, Brangwyn Hall and Buckfast Abbey, as well as Caerphilly Castle.

The choir has even performed inside the Channel Tunnel, as well as thousands of feet above the ground during a flight to Spain.

The choir was first set up by in 1966 and was known as the Margaret Roach Singers – named after the choir’s founder and first Musical Director.

Three decades later, in 1996, the choir rebranded as Caerphilly Ladies Choir to reflect its connection with the town and borough.

Currently, there are just under 40 members of the choir. Majorie Gray, who is the longest serving member having joined in 1966, said: “Singing good for us physically and mentally. There’s a good social side of the choir too.”

The choir will be holding an open evening at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s Y Gywndy campus in Caerphilly on April 25, with cheese and wine available. There will also be CDs for sale, with proceeds going towards Ukraine.