08 April 2013

 Cardiff choir CF1 have made it to the final of S4C's prestigious choral singing competition Côr Cymru 2013.

They came top of the mixed choirs' category semi-final, highlights of which were shown on S4C on Saturday, 6 April. The final will be broadcast live on S4C on Sunday 14 April.

CF1 have succeeded in reaching the semi-final stage in each year of the Côr Cymru competition, but now that they're through to the final, they're more determined than ever to claim the title this year.

"There are no words. I can't believe it!" said an emotional Eilir Owen Griffiths, conductor of CF1, as the result was announced. Then he turned to his choir and said, "I'm so proud of you all. Thank you very much!"

CF1 was established ten years ago and is made up of young people who work and live in Cardiff. After competing in each year of Côr Cymru Eilir knows that hard work and determination is the only way to succeed in this competition.

"Every choir want to win a competition like Côr Cymru. But the only way you can do it is through hard work," said Eilir, adding that they rehearse twice as often, and twice as hard, during the lead up to Côr Cymru.

The mixed choirs programme was the last of the semi-final stages and we now know who the six finalists are: CF1, Côr y Wiber, Côr y Cwm, Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal, Côr Meibion Rhosllannerchrugog, and Côr Iau Glanaethwy.

The final is broadcast live from Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Sunday 14 April at 6.15pm (English subtitles).

Before then, see how the choir prepare in a special programme on Saturday 13 April 9.00pm (English subtitles)

You can watch performances from each of the semi-finalists on the website – s4c.co.uk/corcymru – along with judges' comments.

The entire series so far is available to watch online any time on Clic – s4c.co.uk/clic

Ends