**Clydach Choir Clinches Major Performance at Principality Stadium, Members Pinch Themselves in Disbelief**
A Welsh male voice choir with just over a year of history is set to grace one of the nation’s largest stages, sparking disbelief and excitement among its ranks. Côr Meibion Clydach, founded a mere 16 months ago, will join two other choirs in performing at the Principality Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated Wales vs New Zealand rugby international later this year.
The unexpected opportunity has left some choir members questioning whether the news is genuine, with several reportedly telephoning to confirm it was no elaborate prank. Matthew Bailey, who leads the group and also serves as a Swansea councillor for Clydach, recounted how even his own friends from the choir struggled to believe it at first. “They rang me and said, ‘Honestly now, is this actually happening? Are we really going to sing at the Principality Stadium?’” Cllr Bailey told reporters.
While Côr Meibion Clydach is accustomed to singing for local audiences at Christmas and VE Day events, where they typically face crowds of a few hundred, the leap to performing before nearly 74,000 spectators represents a seismic shift. “It’s a tremendous honour,” remarked Cllr Bailey, reflecting on the scale of the occasion. “Wales against New Zealand is about as big as rugby gets here.”
For the autumn international, the selected choirs will unite to perform a repertoire of around eight songs, culminating in stirring renditions of the national anthems just before the match kicks off. As anticipation builds, so too does a hint of nerves within the group. “For all of us, this is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” admitted Cllr Bailey. “When the moment comes, we’ll just have to perform our best—though perhaps a drink beforehand wouldn’t go amiss!”
The journey to the Principality Stadium began in earnest last week, when Cllr Bailey received an official confirmation email after weeks liaising with event organisers in Cardiff. The news capped a remarkable revival, as the Clydach choir was resurrected last year by Bailey after a long hiatus. Once a proud local institution, the choir’s numbers had dwindled until he and a determined cohort decided to restore it.
Veteran chorister Wayne Griffiths brings with him invaluable experience, having previously performed at the stadium with Morriston Orpheus, a renowned Swansea-based ensemble. He described the atmosphere of singing in front of such an immense crowd as “completely emotional”, a sentiment mirrored by fellow member Anthony Brunton. For Mr Brunton, a former second row for Vardre RFC, the forthcoming date feels like the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. “Standing on that pitch in front of 70,000 people—I think it will be overwhelming,” he said.
Musical direction for Côr Meibion Clydach is provided by Gareth Sims and his accompanist wife, Julie, who have played a pivotal role in developing the choir’s cohesion and sound. The group currently boasts 38 members and continues to welcome new voices, with rehearsals taking place at the Vardre RFC club every Thursday evening and now, thanks to mounting excitement, supplementary Sunday practices as well.
Among the choir’s recruits is David Waghorn, the president of Vardre RFC, who lent support to the original choir for years but only recently joined the singing ranks. “People always say singing is good for well-being. I decided this time, I wasn’t going to miss out,” explained Mr Waghorn, describing it as one of his best decisions to date.
As the big day approaches, the Clydach community is rallying behind its choir, eager to see local talent take centre stage at one of Welsh sport’s grandest settings. Their uplifting journey from formation to national spotlight serves as a reminder of the thriving tradition of choral singing in Wales—and how, with resolve and a shared sense of purpose, even newly established groups can perform on the most prestigious of platforms.