Pontarddulais Male Choir

The Pontarddulais Male Choir - Côr Meibion Pontarddulais - is the most successful competitive male choir in Wales, the male choir is also internationally renowned, having appeared in many parts of Europe as well as Canada and the United States.

The desire of the young men to continue as a choir was strong and so the Pontarddulais Male Choir was born.

At that time, as to this day, there were several established and distinguished choirs in a relatively small area.

The decision to step into the hotbed of male choral singing was therefore a momentous and courageous decision.

Bestowed with enthusiasm and and self assurance under the late Noel Davies' adventurous and energetic leadership, the choir thus entered the world of Male Choral Singing.

Within a few months, because of the infectious enthusiasm of the Musical Director and the commitment of members, the choir grew to over 80 voices. This qualified the choir to achieve chief choral status.

In 1963 the young choir entered its first Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales at Llandudno. To the astonishment of many people the choir gained a first place ahead of some very illustrious competitors.

Thus started the most successful competitive record of any choir in Wales. The choir has been awarded 14 first and 2 second prizes in sixteen attempts at the Royal National Eisteddfod. The most recent was at the 2006 Eisteddfod held at Swansea. In addition there have been numerous wins at the semi-national at Cardigan and the Miners Eisteddfod held annually at Porthcawl.

Although the choir membership has fluctuated over the years, it has never fallen below 100. This was to the credit of the musical team and the choir in view of the fierce competition locally from other male choirs and musical interests.

The membership is drawn from a wide section of the community including local industry, local government, civil service, utilities, police and education. Several members who are now retired worked in the industries which were once the backbone of the area viz- coal, steel, and tinplate.