05 April 2017

The winners of this year's Côr Cymru - Choir of Wales - competition will be offered the opportunity to represent Wales at the Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017 competition.

S4C has secured broadcasting rights for the brand new competition, to be broadcast live on the channel on 22 July.

It's the first time that a choral Eurovision competition has ever been held and it will take place in Latvia this year.

The evening will be hosted by the highly-respected composer and conductor Eric Whitacre and the adjudicators will include world-famous choral composer and critic John Rutter and the highly esteemed soprano Elina Garanca.

The Welsh choir will be among some of Europe's most brilliant singing groups, with the best choirs from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and home country Latvia set to compete.

Hefin Owen, Executive Producer of Côr Cymru 2017, says, "This is a very important development for the Côr Cymru competition and a great opportunity for the winning choir and for Wales to shine on the European stage. It is also a great opportunity for S4C's audience to enjoy a feast of singing of the highest standard."

The Côr Cymru 2017 final is being held on Sunday, 9 April and the five choirs eyeing the Eurovision opportunity along with the Choir of Wales title are Côr Ieuenctid Môn in the children's category; Côr Merched Sir Gâr in the youth category; Côr Meibion Machynlleth in the male voice category; Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion represents the ladies' choirs and Côrdydd the mixed choirs.

The final is being held in the Great Hall, Arts Centre, Aberystwyth and is live on S4C.

Up to 50 members of the Côr Cymru 2017 winning choir will be invited to compete at the Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017 competition to be held at Arena Riga in Latvia.

Elen Rhys, S4C Content Commissioner, Entertainment, added,"S4C is delighted to be broadcasting the Eurovision competition and to be able to offer a Welsh representation there. This is a natural step forward in the development of the popular S4C competition Côr Cymru and a great opportunity to showcase our choral talents on a European stage."