Welsh Black Mountain Male Chorus showcased on Saturday

The Gallup Community Concert Association will be presenting The Black Mountain Male Chorus of Wales in concert on Saturday evening at Gallup High School. The chorus will be presenting a wide-ranging program of Welsh hymns, ballads, and folk songs, as well as music from Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. (Courtesy Photo)

Independent Staff

GALLUP — The unique sound of Welsh music is coming to Gallup this weekend.

The Black Mountain Male Chorus of Wales will be performing in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Gallup High School auditorium. The concert is the third performance in the Gallup Community Concert Association's 2004-2005 Concert Season.

The chorus' program will be selected from the wealth of traditional Welsh repertoire, as well as from operatic, popular, and American repertoire.

Wales, known as "The Land of Song, A Nation of Singers" boasts more than 300 male choruses, and the reputation of Welsh choirs is known around the world. Wales has a geography which is as diverse as the choir's repertoire from rolling hillsides to high mountain crags to a beautiful coastline. The chorus' performance is often described as a "musical journey through Wales" and incorporates the great Welsh hymns and lilting ballads.

The Black Mountain Male Chorus captures the rich Welsh choral tradition by drawing upon the finest singers from all corners of the country. With an average age of 25 to 30 years old, the 22 choristers have been handpicked from selected choirs, as well as the top music colleges and young soloists beginning their professional careers.

Despite its name, the chorus does include one female musician. Llinos Daniel is the choir's harpist and soloist. Her singing and playing creates a major contrast in texture to the choral sound.

The Black Mountain Male Chorus' musical director and accompanist is Clive Phillips, the tour conductor and accompanist is Craig James, and the musical host is Lloyd Davies.

The remaining performances in the Gallup Community Concert Association's 2004-2005 Concert Season include the Budapest Clarinet Quartet on Monday, Feb. 28, Native American singer Joanne Shenandoah on Monday, March 7, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra on Saturday, May 14.

Season tickets will be available for purchase at the door on Saturday. Student memberships are $10, adult memberships are $35, single parent family memberships are $45, and two parent family memberships are $80. For information about this or any other Gallup Community Concert, contact Martin Link at 863-6459.