The Morriston Orpheus Choir Supporters Association sponsors an annual Young Welsh Singer of the Year competition with the winner being awarded ,1000 ($1636). The competition was held in Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston Swansea. Catrin hails from West Wales and is studying at the prestigious International Academy of Voice in Cardiff with Dennis ONeill. She previously studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), Cardiff, and the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), London, gaining a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction. Whilst at RWCMD, she won the first Dame Shirley Bassey Vocal Award, the Sir Geraint Evans Scholarship and the Elias Prize. She also won the RAM English Song Prize. She represented the UK in the final rounds of the Montreal International Singing Competition in May this year and, in August, won the Towyn Roberts Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod in Bala. Other awards include the DISS Advanced Opera Scholarship and she was a finalist in the Stuart Burrows Competition.As winner, Catrin was presented with the MOCSA Trophy, sponsored by Gravells Renault of Kidwelly, and the The Ivor E Sims Memorial Prize of 1,000, donated by the Choir.The other three finalists, who contributed to a wonderful competition, Menna Cazel Davies, Osian Gwynn and Rhian Lois, each received an inscribed plaque and a cheque for 300.

Have a look at our short promo video A Grand Night For Singing. This combines the voices of the Morriston Orpheus Choir with the thrilling sounds of the Band of the Royal Marines. Originally released in 1976, it has been digitally re-mastered and released on CD format. To mark the US bicentenary when the LP was first released the US Marine Corps Hymn was specially included - a verse of the hymn is heard on the video.

Alice Reed was born in Cardiff and educated at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. During her time there she competed in several national Eisteddfodau, winning both piano and harp solo competitions on numerous occasions, culminating in 2005 when she won the schools Blue Riband prize. Alice also played an active role in the schools musical life, as a member of the school choir and orchestra, taking part in the schools musicals and accompanying various groups and soloists.In 2005 Alice gained a place at Cambridge University to read music. Her time at Cambridge was very busy, as she became a member of the University Orchestra, and formed a flute and harp duo with her friend. Alice was also President of her colleges Music Society, a role which she enjoyed greatly. In 2006 Alice won New Hall Colleges annual music scholarship prize, which she used to fund her piano and harp lessons at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Graeme Humphrey and Skaila Kanga respectively. Alice was a member of the Universitys Welsh Society, Cymdeithas y Mabinogi, which provided her with the opportunity to meet other Welsh students in Cambridge. Alice also enjoys playing the harp at various functions from weddings to conferences and during her time at Cambridge she provided the musical entertainment at many of the Universitys prestigious May Balls.Since graduating with honours in June 2008, Alice has been working as a researcher on the popular S4C production, Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol an experience which she has found to be most rewarding and invigorating!

Following his move to a new job in London, one of the Orpheus' professional accompanists, Mike Williams, has reluctantly had to give up his role with the Choir. Mike has been with us for some 18 months and had quickly established himself as a valued member of the musical team.At Mike's final rehearsal night, MD Joy Amman Davies thanked him for the support he had given to her, the rest of the professional musical team and the Choir during his time with the Orpheus. Choir Chairman, Hugh O'Neill presented Mike with a parting gift on behalf of the Choir.All connected with the Orpheus send MIke our thanks and very best wishes for the futureThe Choir has moved quickly to fill the vacancy created by Mike's departure. Alice Reed is set to take up the role later this month. We will update the Musical Staff details on the Choir's website shortly.

The Queen arrives at Milford Haven, Wales.Morriston Orpheus Choir had the privilege of performing for the British and Qatar Royal families in Pembrokeshire, West Wales on Tuesday 12 May 2009. The Choir was chosen to represent Wales at the official inauguration of the South Hook LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facility at Milford Haven which was attended by Her Majesty The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of York. Also attending were members of the Qatari royal family - His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Her Highness Sheikh Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned and Her Highness Sheikh Hind Bint Hamad Al-Thani. The event on 12 May sealed the completion of the operation to provide a fifth of the UK s gas supply from Milford Haven.This was a major day for Qatar, the United Kingdom and Wales as the cleanest of the fossil fuels Liquefied Natural Gas has a bright future said Clive Williams spokesman for the Morriston Orpheus Choir. For the occasion the Choir learned a new song by Dom Jones that celebrates completion of the LNG Terminal project. This song was the finale of the entertainment for the Royal guests for whom the Orpheus also sang Well Keep A Welcome directed by Joy Amman Davies.The Morriston Orpheus entertained Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee celebrations outside Buckingham Palace in 2002, and has appeared on a tribute CD to mark the Golden Jubilee.South Hook is the largest LNG terminal in Europe and this event has served as a happy reminder of the Morriston Orpheus Choirs visits to the Middle East including Dubai and Oman. Also taking part was the noted Welsh soprano Gwawr Edwards.Joy Amman Davies, the artistic director of the choir, was jubilant today after being presented to the Queen during her official visit to the terminal. Later, she met the royals again as she took her place in a farewell lineout as both royal parties were leaving the event. She then had a brief comic encounter with Prince Philip as he was leaving."He asked me who I was, and I said I conducted the choir," said Joy, who wore a sophisticated black evening dress for the occasion."He said to me, 'Turn round', and when I did, he said 'Now I recognise you from the back of your head'."She added: "He did make me laugh, I think he's great. He has got a real sense of humour and is a lovely man."

TheMorriston Orpheus Choir is proud to announce the release of its newest CD recording ~ Nella Fantasia. It features 16 tracks and is on the Sain label - a company based in North Wales. Joy Amman Davies, Musical Director writes: "A year and a half ago I decided to step down after sixteen wonderful years as the accompanist of the Morriston Orpheus Choir. To show my appreciation of the fantastic experiences that I had shared with them along the way I decided to write them an arrangement of Nella Fantasia, music by the great Ennio Morricone which I presented to them as a leaving gift at my final rehearsal. Little did I know that, after only two weeks, I would be back as Musical Director. I am overwhelmed with their constant support, dedication, passion and love of music - it is truly humbling. Hence the decison to name my first CD as their Musical Director - Nella Fantasia.The CD includes a diverse mix of music ranging from the great war horses of the male voice repertoire - Nidaros, Y Delyn Aur, the very moving and emotional Comrades in Arms which we sang at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff during the Memorial Service and Medal Cermony for the Second Battalion Welsh Guards on their return from Iraq, to the hauntingly beautiful Lisa Ln and light-hearted Cabaret.It has been an absolute joy to include on this CD our thee very exciting singers who have shared the stage with us on several occasions and who have become great friends: Andrew Rees (who accompanied us on our 2007 tour to New Zealand and Australia), Adriano Graziani, another fabulous tenor and young soprano, Morriston-born, Natalya Romaniw, who is representing Wales this year in the BBC Cardiff Young Singer of the World. We like to give young singers a platform on which to begin their careers.I thank my wonderful musical team, Jo Scullin, Mike Williams and Les Ryan and not forgetting my dedicated and passionate gentlemen of the Morriston Orpheus Choir."