2010 -2019

Decade Summary

2010-2019

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2010

• National Recognition: The Upper Rhondda Band represented Wales at the National Championships of Great Britain held in Harrogate.

• Competition Success: They finished 6th out of 21 of the best bands in Great Britain.

• The Guests In our annual were Gwar Edwards one of Wales rising stars and the compere was Mal Pope.

• Choir Tour this year was to Essen in Germany for a Joint concert with schubertbund Essen. The tour was a great success with us also meeting the cast of the hit show Mamma Mia in our hotel which was very fortuitous, as friendships made resulted In the whole party being Invited to Dusselldorff Dome. The party were then invited to pose for photos with the Stelar cast, after which we all went back to our hotel for the night.

• Major Performances & Events: In February, the choir joined forces with Côr Meibion Maesteg and Côr yr Hen Blwyf as Côr Undebol Cwm Llynfi for a concert conducted by Haydn James and featuring soprano Charlotte Ellett. In June, they performed at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff prior to the Wales vs. South Africa rugby match.

• Annual Concert & Festivals: The choir's Annual Concert featured guest soprano Gwawr Edwards alongside Bridgend Young Singer of the Year winners Megan Eleri Griffiths and Charlotte Skidmore. They also sang at the Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival at the Cardiff International Arena.

2011

• Our Annual guests this year were Compere was Chris Needs, who once again kept the audience enthralled with his anecdotes, Jokes and Highlights of the year were the opening slot In the Beast of Bryn, that was filmed for S4C, and Our Choir Tour to Benidorm in October, where we did three concerts. Hotel and sell out concert In the recently built Tulada concert Hall with the Costa Blanca M.V.C. another highlight to our stay in Benidorm was that the entire cast of the T. V. Show Benidorm were staying at the same hotel as us, a night out with them at Sandras Pub, also featured in the show.​

• After arriving back from Benidorm we then appeared in Oxford Town Hall for a joint concert.​

• In November we did the Royal British Legion concert of remembrance at the Town hall, we also sang at the Cenotaph the following December.​

• To finish the year off, the choir and friends enjoyed a Dinner dance at the Masonic Lodge Maesteg.​

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2012

• MAESTEG Gleemen Male Voice Choir have bolstered their numbers, and are now a Choir of 41 voices.

• St David's Day & Jubilee Celebrations: The choir (then numbering 31 members) gave a St David's Day concert at the Glamorganshire Golf Club on 2 March. In June, they travelled to Birmingham for a Diamond Jubilee Concert weekend at St Martin in the Bull Ring.

• Community & Charity Concerts: They performed at the Tapas Festival at Maesteg Town Hall in May, sang at the Beast of Bryn event, and held a charity concert for the Maesteg Hospital League of Friends.

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2013

• Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year: The 11th annual competition (the 2nd under Dunraven sponsorship) took place on 13 April 2013 at Maesteg Town Hall, adjudicated by Suzanne Murphy, Wyn Davies, and Eric Roberts.

• Concerts & Tours: The choir performed across local venues, including the Maesteg Festival Concert and the "Beast of Bryn" concert, followed by an autumn tour to Cornwall from 11–13 October.

• Community Work: Sang carol concerts at Tesco Maesteg and performed for local nursing homes and community trusts.

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2014

• Young Singer Finals: The semi-finals were held on 18 January, followed by the finals on 12 April at Maesteg Town Hall.

• Community Highlights: Performed at the opening of Sawyer's Arms Wetherspoon in Bridgend, sang at the Hyundai Car Garage complex, and gave a special performance for 100-year-old former headmistress Molley Fisher at Llys Gwyn Nursing Home in Maudlam.

• Fundraising Tour: Travelled to Southampton for a charity concert at the "Grande Café" to raise funds for a young girl with a life-threatening illness, earning a standing ovation.

• Choir Honours: Trevor Jones was named Chorister of the Year and Steve Easton was named Gleeman of the Year at their annual presentation night.

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2015

• Young Singer Competition & Masterclass: The 13th annual competition was held on 28 March 2015, with winners Layla Miller (11–14), Annem Angharad Dixon (15–18), and Huw Montague Rendall (19–28). The choir also hosted a vocal masterclass led by international soprano Rebecca Evans at Maesteg Town Hall.

• Overseas Tour: Undertook an international choir tour to Holland in October 2015.

• Special Events: Sang at a wedding during a Specsavers performance in Swansea and performed at the wedding of accompanist Suzanne’s daughter, Rachel.

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2016

• National Stage Performance: Sang the Italian National Anthem on the pitch at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the Wales vs. Italy Rugby Union match on 19 March.

• Milestones: Celebrated Gerald Seymour’s 50 years of service to the choir, presenting him with a slate plaque inscribed "I Did It My Way".

• Scotland Tour: Travelled to Carlisle and Edinburgh (26–31 July), performing at Wigton Bowling Club and the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, and taking part in the Musselburgh parade float.

• Specsavers Tŷ Hafan Campaign: Partnered with Specsavers across 37 South Wales stores over eight weeks, helping raise £10,958 for Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice

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2017

• International Collaboration: Hosted a joint concert with the Melbourne Male Voice Choir from Australia at Maesteg Town Hall on 2 May.

• Commemorations & Charity: Sang at the Bryn Navigation Miner's Memorial Dedication Service on 22 July, performed at the Passchendaele Service of Remembrance, and raised £550 for "Kelly's Wish" alongside ladies' choir Maesteg "Harmony".

• New Patron: Welcomed Dame Mary Perkins as the official Patron of the choir in July.

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2018

• Choir Tour to Guernsey: From April 5th to April 9th, the choir travelled to Guernsey, staying at the "Les Rocquettes" hotel.

  • Performances: They held a joint concert with the Guernsey Welsh Male Voice Choir at St. James's Hall on April 7th.

  • Social Events: The trip included a Gala Dinner at the "Les Cotils" hotel and a suggested leisure visit to Herm Island.

• Performed with the Upper Rhondda Brass Band who had just gained the following achievements:

  • Champions: The band was crowned the 4th section Champions at the 2018 National Eisteddfod.

  • Regional Success: They won the 4th section in the Regional competition.

  • Championship Finals: They visited Cheltenham for the National Championships Finals.

• Celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a formal dinner at the Masonic Hall in December.

• Major Performances: Accompanied by the National Orchestra of Wales at St David's Hall in Cardiff for the "Elvis Presley Extravaganza" in January.

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2019

This was a "busy year" for the Maesteg Gleemen, featuring tours, charity events, and a heavy schedule of local engagements.

• Tour to Sidmouth: From August 30th to September 3rd, the choir toured Sidmouth, staying at the Kingswood & Devoran Hotel.

  • Concert: Their performance at the Sidholme Music Room on September 1st was a capacity-audience success, raising record funds for hall renovations.

• Gala Concert: Held on September 27th at Maesteg Town Hall in aid of the charity Prostate Cymru.

  • Special Guests: The event featured the Kenfig Hill & District Male Voice Choir and the Upper Rhondda Brass Band.

  • Significant Event: This was the final choral performance at the Town Hall before its closure for a two-year refurbishment.

• Other Engagements:

  • Performed at the Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff for international shipping representatives.

  • Sang at the "Young Babies" Memorial Service in Swansea, and raised £460 for Tŷ Hafan at McArthurGlen.

  • Weddings: Performed at St Michaels Church (August 17th) and the Catholic Church in Maesteg (September 14th).

  • Community and Charity: Participated in "Young Singer" auditions in November and a concert for "loved and lost Children" on December 1st.

  • Festive Season: December was "hectic" with ten engagements, including carol singing for Ty Hafan at McArthur Glen, Tesco carols, and concerts at Hafan Deg and Bryn RFC.

• Venue Transition: Faced potential displacement when the Maesteg British Legion faced closure threats, prompting a search for alternative practice facilities.

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