Local Welsh choir to sing before Six Nations match
THE crowd before March’s Six Nations rugby match between Wales and Scotland will be entertained by the Guernsey Welsh Male Voice Choir.
The group of singers applied to sing at the Principality Stadium and were thrilled when they found out they had been accepted.
Welsh Rugby Union musical director Haydn James said there were a lot of requests from choirs wanting to sing at the stadium.
‘When a new request comes along, it’s essential to go and hear the choir in question to ensure that we maintain the very high standard of choral singing the 75,000 supporters have come to expect at each and every game,’ he said.
‘The Guernsey Welsh MVC wanted to make their first appearance in 2020, so I came over to attend one of their rehearsals. They did not disappoint, and we were delighted to invite them to Cardiff next March when Wales play Scotland.
‘They will be joined by one or two other choirs, making a total of 120 voices. The WRU looks forward to welcoming them to the stadium, and I look forward to working with them.’
The choir will be signing on Saturday 14 March – the last day of the Six Nations tournament.
Choir chairman Frank Coppolo said 35 members would be taking part in the event.
‘It is going to be the experience of a lifetime,’ he said. ‘Everybody is very excited, but the people with Welsh background, particularly so. It’s something special.’
About a third of the choir have Welsh links, but there is only one Welsh speaker.
Conductor Fiona Le Tissier said they were expecting to get the music for the performance either later this month or next month, which will give them several months to prepare. However the group already know the Welsh national anthem.
The choir thanked Aurigny for organising for a scheduled flight to Bristol to fly on Thursday 12 March, which will allow the choir to sing with another choir on Friday, the day before the match.
