Millennium date for Cor Meibion Llanelli

Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) will be teaming up with choirs from across Wales on Saturday to form a special 1,000 voice choir.
The choristers have been recruited by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to envelop the Millennium Stadium in song when Wales face the Barbarians on Saturday (June 4), kick-off 2.30pm.
“This is a real one-off occasion and something to truly behold,” said choir secretary Fred Elias.
“The power and drama created by a Welsh male voice choir in full voice is something which raises the hairs on the back of your neck.
“Putting many of the best choirs in Wales together to create a 1,000-strong massed choir is a huge event and I know that all the boys in Cor Meibion Llanelli are thrilled to be taking part.
“We’ve got one choir member in Ray Williams who knows what it feels like to represent Wales on the field of rugby.
“Singing in a 1,000-strong male voice choir is almost like a choral international for us as singers and I am sure many of the boys will be feeling the same sense of pride to represent Wales in song.”
The match is a celebration to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union as the game’s governing body in Wales.
The choir will assemble in the north stand of the stadium, where they will be conducted by the stadium’s feature choirmaster, Haydn James.
He has devised a special repertoire of songs for the day, which along with the favourite hymns of old will include some modern tunes as well.
The choir will also unveil a medley of songs which Mr James is preparing to honour the countries represented by the players in the Barbarian line up.
Fans will be able to hear the massed choir from 1.30pm, which is precisely one hour before the kick off.
The massed choir will also strike up during the match to raise the noise level to a massive intensity as the game unfolds.
Some of the favourite hymns and songs to be sung will include Gwahoddiad, Llanfair, Rachie, Speed Your Journey and Myfanwy.
The choir will be accompanied by the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh which regularly features at Wales home international matches.
Haydn James said: “This should give a spectacular sound from some of the very best choirs in Wales.
“We are all absolutely thrilled that so many choirs will be sharing in this very special day.”
The full list of choirs recruited so far is:-
Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Dunvant Male Choir, Morriston Orpheus Choir, Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir, Cor Meibion Taf, Pendyrus Male Choir, Bechgyn Bro Taf, Treorchy Male Choir, Cor Meibion De Cymru, Froncysyllte Male Choir, Cor Dodre’r Aran, Cor Meibion Llangwm, Cantorion Colin Jones, Built Wells Male Choir, Cor Meibion Maesteg, Maesteg Gleemen, Cor Yr Hen Blwyf, Glynneath Male Choir, Cor y Gyrlais, Eschoir, Cor Meibion Dyffryn Aman and Risca Male Choir.
The Millennium Stadium Manager, Gerry Toms, said: “The stadium is known for its singing but this choir will make the sound extra special on the day.
“The acoustics in the bowl of the stadium are fantastic for capturing the noise of the supporters and the sound made by this excellent line up will make the hairs on the backs of people’s necks stand up.
“We have had large choirs here in the past and anyone who has experienced those occasions will know how spectacular it can be.