Fron Male Voice Choir celebrates seven decades of song
It began as a post Second World War choir for men from a Welsh village and grew to become an internationally known, platinum disc-winning, choral sensation.
The Fron Male Voice choir is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, ending with three concerts in Shropshire and across the Welsh border. Two of the members are men who were among the original line-up.
The journey began with a meeting in the Seion Chapel in Froncysyllte in 1947.
Spokesman David Thomas Jones, said the village wanted to support the newly formed Llangollen Eisteddfod, and at that meeting it was proposed that a male voice choir was formed to compete at the 1948 Eisteddfod.
"The Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir was formed, however they needed 60 voices and, despite recruiting men from the village they were still short. They turned to the Youth Club choir and persuaded some of the youngsters to make up the numbers.
"Seven decades on and two of those youngsters are still singing with the choir. Dennis Williams, and Gren Gough have sung under all five of the choir’s musical directors, and they still participate and enjoy all aspects of singing in a male voice choir."
Today the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir is better known as the Fron Male Voice Choir, following the success of their series of five Voices of the Valley CD albums recorded under the Fron name.
It followed a chance meeting, when in November 2006 they were spotted singing at a wedding by one of the guests, Daniel Glatman, the manager of the boy band Blue.
The five albums were released on Universal’s UCJ or Decca label between 2006 to 2010. They sold well over one million albums, with four of the albums being awarded gold and platinum disc for sales. Their albums were also awarded gold discs for their Australian sales.
The Fron had the honour of appearing in Classic FMs 25th birthday celebration lists, eighth in the Best Selling Musicians of the past 25 years, and its first album Voices of the Valley was listed as eighth of the top 10 best selling music albums of the past 25 years.
It now sells CDs in over 84 countries while tracks appear on over 90 compilation discs, and are heard alongside some of the world’s biggest stars.
Mr David Thomas Jones said the past 12 months have seen a busy 70th anniversary year for the choristers, many of whom come from Shropshire.
In April this year they visited Cornwall to compete at the Cornwall International Male Chorus Festival, winning the 40 Plus Voices section. They were also awarded best UK choir, and best performance of a piece. They have also undertaken a tour of four UK Cathedrals with concerts at Truro, Bangor, Llandaff and Hereford.
In July the choir sang at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s 70th Anniversary concert teaming up with Colne Valley and Rhos Male Voice Choir under the baton of Owain Arwel Hughes.
On November 11 the Fron choir will sing at Glyndwr University’s William Aston Hall, with the Three Welsh Tenors, Rhys Meirion, Aled Hall and Aled Wyn Davies.
On December 9 it will join Porthywaen Band at the Holy Trinity Church Oswestry, and finally draws to a close its 70th Anniversary Celebrations with a performance during the day at Chirk Castle on December 23.
"The Fron Choir has a proud history, a vibrant present, and an exciting future. Any men who enjoy singing and may be interested in joining a choir are welcome to visit their rehearsals at Acrefair School on Mondays and Thursdays 7 - 9pm to see what is involved.
"Choral experience and the ability to read music not necessary. Enthusiasm, commitment, the ability to enjoy themselves and be prepared to work hard is more important."
