New Welsh orchestra and choir launches in Carmarthen

The People’s Orchestra and Show Choir are expanding with new branches in Wales – and looking for keen musicians and singers to join the ranks.

Cerddorfa’r Bobl (pronounced Cah-fair-thuh Bob-el) – the Welsh translation for The People’s Orchestra (TPO) – launches in September in Carmarthen. It coincides with a new The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) for the county town at the same time.

The new orchestra and choir will both rehearse every week at St Mary’s Parish Centre in Union Street, Carmarthen, on different days, but come together for concerts and special performances.

Alex McGee, Conductor for Cerddorfa’r Bobl and Choir Leader for TPSC Carmarthen, said the area was an ideal place for new community groups like these due to its rich history and local love for playing and singing music.

He urged keen singers and both amateur and professional musicians, to get involved with the new choir and orchestra, even from further afield from Pembrokeshire to Swansea.

Alex added that members would meet once a week to play everything from film scores and pop hits to classical works in a relaxing, fun environment.

TPSC singing rehearsals will be on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm until 9pm during term time, while Cerddorfa’r Bobl musicians will play together every Thursday night at a similar time.

Alex said: “It’s great to have the new orchestra and choir running side by side as the singers will have musicians to accompany them at events. These two ensembles will work hand in hand.

“We are a very lucky to be in such a musical county with a lot of people who came through learning music with Carmarthen Music Service, so I’m sure there will be a lot of people keen to continue playing and singing music as adults and enjoy all the joy and camaraderie that comes with it.”

Former music teacher Alex, who is now an award-winning composer and music arranger, has been leading TPO’s Rusty Players in Carmarthen for 18 months, which will now merge into the new orchestra.

“Cerddorfa’r Bobl is a different kind of orchestra and will be a different challenge,” explained Alex, who grew up in Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire and studied music at Cardiff University. “It will be a place where members will be able to learn from each other and come together to make music, that’s what I’m hoping for.

“In terms of the orchestra, we are welcoming in experienced and established players to those who enjoy playing music regularly.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and growing this orchestra.”

For the choir, the same goes that everyone is welcome, from those who sing regularly to those who can’t read music.

Both aim to be a sanctuary for people to relax, unwind from stresses of the day and make new friends through the benefits of creating music.

The new Show Choir follows on from the success of similar launches in Wales in Cardiff and Newport. TPSC prides itself in booking iconic venues for its singers to perform in at mass concerts. Singers from Cardiff and Newport were able to perform in the iconic Dora Stoutzker Hall in Cardiff last year. It is the only purpose-built chamber recital hall in Wales, based in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The People’s Orchestra is a national charity that uses music to enrich lives and help tackle loneliness, mental health and social isolation. Its orchestras and choirs create a community to make music but also friends and time for yourself.

Its other work involves helping jobseekers, particularly young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs), get experience, training and confidence to find work. It also offers a free benefits helpline to assist those most in need.

Members become well versed in the good causes of being part of TPO and its family of sister organisations, making it even more worthwhile.

Anyone interested in trying two free taster sessions for The People’s Show Choir in Carmarthen or the new orchestra Cerddorfa’r Bobl, can find out more and contact organisers at the TPO website here.

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