Reviews
Swindon Advertiser, 13th July 2009
Standing Ovation for Global Sensations, by Stephanie Tye
As the sound of the voices of the Wessex Male Choir washed over the audience, all thoughts of numb bums disappeared. This was the first time I had seen the choir perform, and I couldn't have picked a better night to go along.
For their eighth annual International Choral concert the group had invited the James Madison University Chorale to join them on the stage. This group of young singers from America, led by Dr Patrick Walders, were a joy to listen to. Performing all of their pieces acapella, the 80-odd voices blended in perfect harmony with one another. Soloist Josh Eflin's beautiful vocals echoed around the walls of Holy Rood church, the perfect venue for the evening. The choir received a standing ovation from the sell-out audience and granted requests for an encore.
Not to be out-done the Wessex Male Choir were also on top form. Their rendition of Me and My Shadow went down a storm with everyone, as did their Oliver! medley. With musical director Rob Elliott throwing in jokes along the way, the audience was smiling from start to finish.
Swindon Advertiser, 22nd July 2006
[Photo: Andrew Hannath. Graphic: Rhiannon]
Wessex Success at International Music Festival, by Shirley Ludford
Wessex Male Choir have taken 2nd place in the male choir competition at the 2006 Llangollen International Eisteddfod in north Wales, finishing ahead of all the other UK Choirs. In the 4,500-seat auditorium of the 60th international musical festival, audiences heard the panel of international judges give high praise to Wessex Male Choir for their three choral pieces saying there was "good balance, quality, beauty, a gorgeous sound and a demonstration of a real love of singing".
Rob Elliott, Musical Director, said "I'm absolutely delighted with the choir's performance. They did themselves as well as Swindon and England proud".
The Winners were the Detroit Concert Choir from Michigan, USA.
Patron of Wessex Male Choir Aled Jones, who broadcast live for the BBC for the festival said "Hearty congratulations to the choir. A superb result and the comment about demonstrating a real love of singing is one I made when I first heard them in Swindon earlier this year. They sing from the heart".
Festival Patron Terry Waite praised all who entered competitions, performed their traditional songs or dances, or came from across the country and the world to enjoy the festival which represented the peace that the Arts can bring.
The week-long festival itself is fascinating, truly multi-cultural and unique, with everything from indigenous north Canadian tribal dancers to black-faced morris dancers from north Wales to hip hop and choir competitions, topped off with sell-out concerts - this year by such as Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfil. A successful event all round and, if you've not visited before, well worth putting in the diary for next year.