How Treorchy choir members got hooked on singing

by Matt Thomas, Western Mail

With a 127-year history, Treorchy Male Voice Choir is synonymous
with the South Wales male vocal tradition. As the choir is featured
on a new compilation album and puts the finishing touches to its
own latest recording, Matt Thomas meets some members to find out
why it’s so special to them

FORMER registrar and archivist, Norman Martin has been a member
of the choir for 63 years:

“I remember the day I joined, back in 1947. I was walking
through Treorchy and I heard this fantastic sound.

“I just stuck my head in through the door of the hall and that
was it, I was hooked.

“At the time I was a miner and so were lots of the other boys in
the choir, but there were people from all walks of life there.

“It’s a very inclusive experience, being part of a male voice
choir. There’s a sense of friendship and camaraderie there, you
feel welcomed right from the start.

“It was through the choir that I met my best friend actually. We
were like brothers I suppose. Unfortunately, he died a couple of
years ago, but that’s the way of things I suppose. But that’s what
a choir can give you at its best.