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"Creating a new generation of male chorus, while honouring one of Wales' great tradition".

Being renowned as vibrant, new generation of Welsh Male Choir, The Black Mountain Male Chorus of Wales proudly presents a concert performance for all choral music lovers and local choirs on March 18 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, at 8 pm.

The Choir will perform various songs with different forms and styles. Born out of the Welsh Chapel tradition with raising Choruses and "Amens" named Welsh Hymns. The Welsh Music with ballads and lilting airs for the expression of love and even humor. In addition, there will be Welsh harp music with female soloist. Moreover, contemporary British music, classical and operatic music and American light music will also be included in the performance.

The Black Mountain Male Chorus of Wales was established in September 1996. It is especially created for Community Concerts. The age and musical experience of the choristers have set the Choir apart from over 300 other male choruses in Wales, where an immense choral tradition is found. With an average age of 25 years old, the singers are drawn from the top music colleges, the National Youth Choir of Wales, and young soloists who are taking the first rung on the ladder to a professional career.

After returning from the ground-breaking tour in the 1996 - 97 season to the United States in the fall of 1998, the Choir has made a tremendous impact in its homeland, and has won a prestigious award for promoting the culture of Wales in the United States. It has already become a firm favourite with television audiences, having performed on numerous national programmes. In addition, the Choir is honoured by giving a private performance to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

Concert's conductor Keith Michael Griffiths was raised in a small village just outside Cardiff in South Wales and obtained his first degree from Colchester Music Institute studying conducting. In 1991, he won a post graduate studentship to study opera and orchestral conducting at the Hochschuler fur Musik "Franz Liszt" in Weimer of East Germany and was also the winner of several scholarships including the Lady Grace James Foundation, the Etvos Scholarship, etc. Griffiths has performed professionally throughout Europe and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1995. He has lectured at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and University of Bristol, as well as coaching singers in both opera and musical theatre. Griffiths is now working on his research in conducting for this Ph. D. degree and is invited to give a paper at the International Swarowsky Symposium in Vienna in 2001.

Presented by Leisure and Cultural Services Department, tickets priced at $160, $130 and $90 are now available at all URBTIX outlets with half-price concessions are sold for senior citizens, disabled and full-time students.

For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2935 while for ticketing enquiries and reservations, please contact 2734 9009.

End/Monday, February 12, 2001

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