Garndiffaith Gleemen Male Voice Choir
Garndiffaith Gleemen Male Voice Choir
About the Choir
Garndiffaith is a village located in Torfaen, in the Eastern Valley of South Wales. It is a small rural area situated between Talywain and Varteg, three miles north of the town of Pontypool and 3.5 miles south of the town of Blaenavon. It is part of the Abersychan suburb of Pontypool.
Situated near the old British coal mines and works, the Garndiffaith area is renowned for its agricultural and industrial heritage based on the mining of iron ore and coal. The choir practices at Zion Hill Community Centre in Pontnewynydd on Mondays from 7:30pm till 9:00pm.
The Zion Hill Community Centre provides us with excellent practice facilities. We have a large Practice Room with a first class piano. There is a large hall adjacent to the practice room where we can hold concerts. The Community Centre has a bar and catering facilities.
What we do:
We are also available to sing at Weddings
- Annual concerts on, or close to, Remembrance Day.
- Perform in many parts of the U.K. and in many different kinds of venue
- The choir is twinned with the Liedertafel alt. Wiesloch Male Voice Choir (based near Heidelberg in Germany) and undertakes exchange visits every few years.
- Arrange joint concerts with other choirs both at home and away.
- Support charity events such as “Help for Heroes”, Cancer Research etc.
- Engagements to sing at local churches, retirement homes, hospitals, etc.
- Engagements to sing at weddings
- Formed part of the massed Welsh choir which performs annually at the Royal Albert Hall
Want to join us?
We are always looking for new choristers. If you enjoy singing, come along to a practice. No experience is necessary (there is no voice test), we have a first class musical team who will teach you all you need to know, you don't need to read music. We practice every Monday evening between 7:30pm and 9:00pm – just turn up. You’ll get a very warm welcome in a relaxed and layed-back atmosphere and can join us in the bar afterwards! for a pint.Lets keep the Male Voice Choir tradition on track, when its gone its gone for ever. thankyou
Musical Team
Musical Director
Gareth Kibble Musical Director
Born in Caerphilly, Gareth attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from year nine until the end of sixth form. Following school he attained a degree in music and his Masters Degree in Advanced Musical Studies from Cardiff University. Although piano is his principal instrument he enjoys playing saxophone, guitar and drums. Currently he leads a Soul / Funk / Rock Band named “Maddie and the Pandas” playing Keyboards, saxophone and backing vocals. He teaches piano, guitar and drums privately and at several primary schools. Although new to the role of male voice accompanist, he has successfully integrated into the role of the choir’s accompanist, has performed well in practice and at concerts and has become a valued asset to the Gleemen.
Photos from the past
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History
The Choir was formed in 1949 originating in the Village of Garndiffaith, located in the eastern edge of the South Wales Coalfield. Horace Carter, Musician and local businessman established the Choir as a competition choir in the "Glee" category, this being a choir staging up to forty voices. It soon became a success in local Eisteddfdaiand and in National Competitions. During this period of twenty-severn years the choir was fortunate to have the same Musical Team and Chairman.
The Choir continued to thrive establishing a more social outlook in participating in National Male Voice Concerts, and frequent concert tours to Germany, Canada and U.K. Venues. The Choir continues the long standing Tradition of holding an Annual Remembrance Concert, inviting local dignitaries and fine soloists from the Welsh National Opera. The Concert is held on the Saturday evening prior to Armistice Sunday at the Garndiffaith Millennium Hall.
During the lifetime of the Choir fortunately we have had only three musical directors, Horace Carter, Gethin Banfield and John Jolley. Presently Gareth Kibble is the Choirs first class Accompanist. The Choir is a registered Charity, and continues to support local charities and community groups throughout the South Wales Area, we are also available to perform at Weddings and Functions if it does not clash with our normal concert appearances.
Events in 2022
The Garndiffaith Gleemen will be singing at the Usk music festival on Saturday the 2nd of July at the Sessions House Usk we look forward to seeing you there.
The Choir will be resuming practice on Monday 24th January. We are looking for a Pianist to take us under their wing on a full time bases . We are now recruiting potential Choristers to swell our ranks for a possible tour to the Isle of Mann in 2023-4, so come along and join us, free Choir uniform will be provided, learn the Music now .
Contact us
Gareth Jones [ Mobile] 07787362198
Created with the help of Torfaen Voluntary Alliance
© 2016