Bridgend Male Choir has appointed Mrs Rhiannon Williams-Hale as their new Musical Director in place of the late John Jenkins, who had been with choir for almost ten years when he sadly passed away earlier this year.
When John was appointed in 2002, the choir of some 50 strong had already had success in competitions nationally and internationally. The choir was delighted by the number of highly qualified and experienced applicants who responded to the vacancy advert in March this year. The fantastic response for a successor to John was testament to the status and further success that had been achieved in the ten years under his direction.
Rhiannon was one of five short-listed from the ten applicants for the post. Each of the five was interviewed and then took an audition at a choir rehearsal. The difficult decision of which one to select was taken after much discussion and careful thought. Choir members also had the opportunity to contribute to the process. In addition, the choir was ably assisted by Mr Stewart Roberts, Musical Director of Pendyrus Male Choir, who gave a valuable professional opinion of each candidate’s performance at audition.
Rhiannon is well known to the choir, having been a much-treasured accompanist with them from 2003 to 2008. On two occasions when competing in the National Eisteddfod, her playing for the choir was specifically praised by the adjudicators. She had also directed the choir a number of times when John Jenkins had been unavailable. Having been offered the MD post, Rhiannon immediately accepted and declared: “I am so looking forward to the challenges ahead and going back to my choral roots which I feel are very important to me.” Everyone involved is looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship. The first concert booking for Rhiannon and the choir, now some 90 strong, is 3rd May 2012 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
