Côr Ifor Bach wins S4C's Côr Cymru 2024 choral competition
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David congratulates Côr Ifor Bach on its success as the 2024 Côr Cymru champions.
Côr Ifor Bach is a collection of students studying BA Performance, BA Musical Theatre and BMus Vocal Performance courses at the University’s Cardiff campus, along with other individuals living and working in the capital.
The final was held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre last night where five choirs competed for the Côr Cymru trophy and a prize of £4,000. The competition was broadcast live on S4C accompanied by presenters Heledd Cynwal and Morgan Jones.
Each choir presented a varied programme of songs, impressing the international judges.On this year’s judging panel were Welsh conductor Grant Llewellyn, choral expert Greg Beardsell from Yorkshire and world-renowned conductor Dr Darius Lim from Singapore.
Wales Academy for Voice and Dramatic Arts Director Eilir Owen Griffiths, conductor of Côr Ifor Bach said:
“Taking part in this competition has been one of those things that push the choir. The choir has been with me since October, and I hope this is just the beginning for us, because they’ve worked so so hard.”
BA Performance student Jona Milone, who is a member of the choir said:
“Competing in Côr Cymru was an incredible experience with such intense competition! It is truly magical; the moment where you stand on stage with the ensemble and take that first breath – before going on this journey with your fellow singers.
“Eilir has shown us how Côr Ifor Bach is much more than just singing as an ensemble, it is about incorporating emotion, storytelling, and performance. Most of us are studying the arts and therefore enjoy this expression of performance.
“Thanks to Aelwyd Ifor Bach, I have become even closer to the people in the choir, which brings people together from the university and further afield to sing as one, as a group of young Welsh people and to celebrate our love and passion for the craft.”
The unofficial judge of the competition was the well-known soprano, Elin Manahan Thomas,
“Normally a judge would say I’ve been surprised with the quality of the choirs that have been competing, but the reality is that I’m not surprised at all,” he said.
“Huge congratulations to Côr Ifor Bach – it’s been a pleasure listening to them.”
Hefin Owen, series producer for Rondo Media said:
“Congratulations to Côr Ifor Bach on winning the 2024 Côr Cymru trophy. It was an excellent final at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre with the standard this year as high as ever.
“One of the competition’s aims is to give Welsh choirs the opportunity to take part in an international standard competition with experts from around the world invited to judge.
“The series has shown the excellent standard of choral singing we have here in Wales.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476