Fears for Wales’ future as the land of song

by Sally Williams, Western Mail

WALES’ global reputation as the “land of song” could be in
jeopardy despite the emergence of Only Men Aloud and The Fron Choir
as household names, it was claimed last night.

The fears were voiced as a study into the nation’s choral habits
was launched yesterday.

In recent years popular BBC choral competition Last Choir
Standing gave Welsh choir Only Men Aloud a springboard to fame
while The Fron Choir from Froncysyllte, near Llangollen, paved the
way when they secured a major recording contract with Universal
Music.

It follows a tradition that, for more than 125 years, has seen
the Treorchy Male Choir from the South Wales Valleys recognised as
one of the greatest choral ensembles.

But choral singing in general has faced declining membership
over recent decades, according to researchers from the Great Choral
Study.

And now they aim to investigate the future trends and challenges
that are facing choirs, such as an ageing membership, and which is
resulting in many folding or amalgamating with other choirs to
survive.

Over the coming weeks researchers will be asking leading choral
organisations their views on whether the TV-driven popularity of
choral singing is a blip in the ongoing decline of a century-old
tradition.