The Treorchy Male Choir has played in front of one of the wealthiest princes in the world, and been on the same bill as the Prince of Darkness. But next month the Welsh ensemble head to the Borders for a special concert in aid of Galashiels-based charity the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust. The Volunteer Hall performance on Saturday, August 10 will be supported by the popular local group the Langlee Community Choir.
Just five month’s ago was Treorchy’s most prestigious engagement yet, when they received a standing ovation at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo before Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with special guest Dame Shirley Bassey. The family of Prince Albert II, the son of American actress Grace Kelly, is reputed to be worth more than £650million. But at the other end of the establishment, the 67-year-old choir from the Rhondda Valley has previously performed alongside heavy metal veteran Ozzy Osbourne.
Trust committee member Bill Turner helped to organise the Galashiels concert, as well as two others at Murrayfield and Berwick-Upon-Tweed after hearing the choir while in the Valleys village for a Wales-Scotland rugby international. He said: “This is probably the best male choir in the world which has made 12 Royal Command performances. “Their recent tour of Australia culminated with three full houses at the Sydney Opera House. During my visit to Treorchy I mentioned to one of the lads in the choir that it would be a dream come true if somehow this choir could come to Galashiels, to help in fundraising for our charity, and I am delighted it is happening.” Under the tutelage of Chris Achenbach, Langlee Community Choir now boasts around 50 members from Galashiels and as far away as Jedburgh.
Judith Cleghorn of the Langlee Residents Association started the choir after being inspired by Gareth Malone’s BBC show and formed the group in March last year. It has since gone from strength to strength.
Tickets for the Galashiels show, which startsat 7pm, are priced at £20 and can be bought from Mr Turner on 07766 378879.
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