Choir’s 60 years of song

ABERSTWYTH, WALES, UK — IT has long been a tradition for
university students to join clubs and societies, taking part in
extra-curricular activities such as sport and singing.

With so much competition, societies often come and go, but one
which has remained a regular feature at Aberystwyth University is
the Elizabethan Madrigal Singers, affectionately knows as ‘The
Mads’.

Thought to be the oldest society at the university, it was
set up in 1950 and this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

To celebrate, ‘Mads’ members old and new have already held an
anniversary dinner, and on 4 December they will perform in concert
at Gregynog Hall, when the programme will include pieces sung by
the choir in 1950, the first pieces written for Mads and a new
commission.

Commenting on the role Mads has played over the years, Alumni
President Dale Webb said: “Mads has been an important part in the
cultural life of Aberystwyth and Wales for 60 years. Since that
time we have participated in eisteddfodau and international
competitions, TV and radio broadcasts and toured as far afield as
the USA, Russia and the Seychelles. Sadly, our founder Walter Ryan
died last autumn, but I think he would be very proud of what he
started.”