A shared stage / Rhannu'r llwyfan gyda'r côr
Over the years Bridgend Male Choir has had the privilege of sharing the concert platform with both local and international choirs, musicians, singers and presenters including a few world famous artists.
50
(2010) Eve Sherratt
Swansea born Eve is an International award winning female vocalist who has performed all over the world entertaining audiences with her own renditions of many familiar songs and musical pieces. Her many television appearances over the years include BBC 2 Voice of Musical theatre, BBC 1 Star for a Night, BBC 2 Entertainers to name just a few. Eve has many awards including winner of the ‘Wales and Midland Entertainer’s Award’ for six consecutive years and recent winner of the ‘Blackpool Entertainers Federation Award’. Eve has recently completed her second album ‘Journey’ following the phenomenal success of her first album ‘Time & Again’ and is currently touring theatres and entertaining on cruise liners all over the world.
51
(2014 & 2016) Mike Doyle
is one of a rare breed of entertainers around today, a true variety artist in every sense of the word, equally at home as a singer, comedian, actor or TV and radio presenter as well as a British Comedy Award winner. He works around six months of the year on cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard. The rest of the year is taken up working in the UK doing stand up, stage acting, after dinner speaking, voice over’s, a one man theatre shows and playing the comic lead in pantomimes. Mike has also presented three of his own television series for the BBC. Mike is regarded by some as one of the “UK’s best all round entertainers”.
52
Stephanie Bailey
BA (Hons) Music, PGCE, Accompanist (Piano) & Deputy Musical Director. Stephanie is a professional musician from Skewen, South Wales having graduated in Music at Kingston University. She went on to gain a PGCE in UWCN. She enjoys teaching piano, accompanying choirs, soloists and examinations, having herself received Distinction at Grade 8 in both Piano and Singing. Stephanie is a Rock Choir Leader for the original contemporary choir in the UK and was promoted in 2015 to Regional Brand Manager for South Wales and the South West. In May 2014 Stephanie took her Rock Choirs to perform in Disneyland, Paris and Notre Dame in addition to Rock Choir Live Shows closer to home at the Sherman Theatre (Cymru) and Bristol Colston Hall. Stephanie's credits include working on Sky TV series 'Stella' as Musical Director behind the camera and pianist on screen. Stephanie has performed solos at Liverpool Echo Arena, O2 Arena Rock Choir Live Show 2013, and the NEC Birmingham in 2015 and has accompanied soloists Simone Rebello, Beverley Humphries, Wynne Evans (Gio Compario!) and Mark Evans in concert. Now in her 5th year as Accompanist and Deputy Musical Director of Bridgend Male Choir, July 2014 was a special highlight as Stephanie accompanied the Choir at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod where the Choir won first place in the Male Voice Category and went on to perform in the 'Choir of the World' Gala Concert. September 2015 saw Stephanie participate in the 'G4 Back for Good' tour and in March the Sam Bailey Tour with her Rock Choir
53
(2016 & 2019) Bridgend Rock Choir
is led by local musician, and Bridgend Male Choir Assistant MD, Stephanie Bailey. Over the past few years Rock Choir has become firmly ingrained on the national consciousness, with its unique mix of en-masse singing, fundraising, television appearances, and emphasis on supporting local communities. With performances at prestigious national venues such as 158 metres up the BT tower in London and sporting events such as the 2012 rugby league final at Wembley Stadium which featured 1,500 choir members! - you too can have the opportunity to be a singing star! Rock Choir offers the chance to sing pop, rock and Motown songs together in a comfortable, un-auditioned way.
54
(2015) Rutgers University Glee Club
was founded in 1872, and is the eighth oldest Glee Club in the United States of America, a nationally recognized men's chorus based at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is conducted by Dr. Patrick Gardner. The Glee Club, based as it is equidistant to Philadelphia and New York City, has a long history of participating in the musical life of both those cities. The group tours frequently, both domestically and internationally; has been featured on a number of commercial recordings; and has commissioned notable works for men's chorus.
55
Scott Williams
was born in 1980 at Neath and educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend and later studied at the University of Bath where he attained a Master of Mathematics - MMath (Hons) - degree. His musical career started as a chorister at St Mary’s, Nolton Church in Bridgend, where he was successful in obtaining the Royal School of Church Music St. Nicholas Award, incorporating keyboard skills. He was also an active member of the regional RSCM Cathedral Singers and it was under an RSCM initiative for young organists that Scott commenced his organ playing career. Scott first performed with Bridgend Male Choir at a concert in Leatherhead, Surrey in October 2008. Since then, he has been a member of the Choir's Music Team and a regular contributor to concert performances with the Choir, including tours throughout the UK and Ireland.
56
(2016/17) Rhian Hughes
was a member of the Maesteg Children's Choir for 10 years since joining at the age of eight. Rhian has twice appeared with the Choir, firstly in October at All Saints Church, Porthcawl in support of the Marie Curie Charity and then in December at the Choir's Annual Friendship Concert at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Bridgend.
57
(2008) Cowbridge Choral Society
was formed by a group of enthusiastic singers in 1983, who decided it was time the town had a mixed choir. In recent years they have expanded their repertoire and sing show music and light classical music. They have also performed abroad four times.
58
Ryan Wood
Musical Director, Bridgend Male Choir has a proud history of performing under the baton of distinguished and talented musicians, and its newly appointed Musical Director, Ryan Wood, offers a breadth and diversity of experience that promises a continuation of that fine tradition. Ryan learned piano and cello as a schoolboy, beginning his choral development as Assistant Accompanist with Maesteg Children’s Choir at the age of 13, a notable achievement in itself. He has held the position of Deputy Musical Director with Cowbridge Male Voice Choir as well as that of Accompanist with Maesteg Children’s Choir and, since 1999, with Côr Meibion Maesteg a’r Cylch. His pedigree extends across South Wales where he has accompanied choirs and soloists including ‘Only Men Aloud’, Rebecca Evans and Sir Willard White. He has accompanied master classes given by Helen Field, Rebecca Evans, John Fisher and Dennis O'Neill. He is also the regular accompanist for vocal duo 'Cantare'. Ryan has a keen interest in opera and was instrumental in the formation of a quartet of female singers called ‘Viva to the Diva’ for whom he has been concert accompanist, helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity. In this respect, apart from any other, he fits well into the charitable ethos of Bridgend Male Choir. Perhaps most significantly, Ryan’s interest in conducting has burgeoned alongside his piano skills. He is proud of having formed his own Maesteg mixed choir, ‘Noteworthy’, and as Musical Director of both the Spotlight Theatre Company and Cowbridge Amateur Operatic Society. Unsurprisingly, his talents as a conductor were recognised in 2010 when he was invited to conduct a performance of Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ for a live broadcast on BBC Radio Wales. Since becoming Musical Director in 2016, Ryan's confidence and enthusiasm have been warmly received by the Choir, and as leader of its music team. He is confident that this is the challenge for which his musical development has clearly prepared him.
59
(2016) Noteworthy
is a mixed, formed and led by musical director Ryan Wood, Noteworthy is based in Maesteg and was formed in 2006. In the opinion of opera singer Beverley Humphreys, Noteworthy is “the best mixed choir in Wales.”