Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

Treharris Male Choir and Christian - Enliven the Soul!

It is always a pleasure as well as an emotional experience for me to attend the Annual Concert of Treharris Male Choir, as it brings back many memories of my Dad who was a founder member. This was their 45th Annual concert and whilst I have not been able to attend every concert, as the local MP, as a teenager I regularly supported my Dad and other relatives. The Choir is smaller now than then and always welcome new members, but they still make an impression and are soon to sing for Prince Charles.

This year’s concert had the extra treat of Christian White, from Quakers Yard, and his wife Justine Viani appearing as soloists. Christian, now based in Vienna, will be well known to those associated with Merthyr Youth Orchestra. He is now an expert recitalist, accompanist, concerto performer and conductor, performing throughout the UK and Europe. His wife Justine (from Carmarthen, West Australia) has won a number of international competitions; including the prestigious, Bayreuth Stipendum of Vienna, this year and performed extensively on the opera stage and as an oratorio soloist. These international performers were cunningly persuaded to take part in the concert by Ralph Curtis (the Choir Treasurer) while Christian was in the Glan Taff, Quakers Yard, one evening whilst on a visit home to his parents. It is always nice to see a local boy who is now an international performer, come home to perform in his own community and we are blessed with such musical talents in our valleys. The event was well attended and the acoustics in Salem Chapel, Nelson, were amazing. Performing with such glittering company the Choir, as always, gave us a live entertainment that was good for the soul.

Dai Havard MP