02 April 2013

Newcastle Emlyn female choir, Côr y Wiber, has made it to the final of S4C's prestigious choral singing competition Côr Cymru with their first attempt in the competition.

They came top of the female choirs category semi-final, highlights of which were shown on S4C on Saturday, 30 March. The final will be broadcast live on S4C on Sunday 14 April.

Reaching the final of such a prestigious competition on their first attempt is an achievement in itself. So why did they decide to compete this year?

"Coming first in the female choir competition in the 2012 National Eisteddfod gave us the confidence to compete in Côr Cymru," says conductor Angharad Thomas who has been in charge of the choir since establishing in 2010.

"The competition has given me an opportunity to present a challenging and universal programme which shows off different styles and different languages. It has also given the choir a focus, which as a result has definitely raised standards."

The choir is based in Newcastle Emlyn and is made up of around 30 members. Have they discussed what they'll do with the grand prize of £4000 if they win the final?

"We have discusses the possibility of taking the choir on a foreign tour, and perhaps that money will give us the incentive we need to realise that idea," says Angharad.

Highlights of all five Côr Cymru 2013 semi-finals are currently being shown on S4C over five weekends. Next Saturday (6 April 9.00pm) is the last semi-final category, the mixed choirs, before the live final.

The competition is held at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre with the final broadcast live on S4C on Sunday, 14 April starting at 6.15pm.

Each of the choirs' semi-final performances will be available in full on the Côr Cymru website, along with judges' comments and choir profiles. The youth choir semi-final is now available to watch online anytime on Clic

Ends