Nidus Childrens Choir (Community Choir)
How it started........
Nidus Children’s Choir was formed initially in September 2006 after a group of eight very talented children aged 7 - 10 years entered the Abergavenny Eisteddfod with Panis Angelicus, sung in Latin. With only 3 short rehearsals they managed to win a Gold Medal. The response from judges and the audience was very positive so in November 06, Nidus Theatre Arts decided to form an official choir with the 8 children touring hospital wards and sheltered accommodation performing small Christmas concerts. In January 2007 the group expanded to 14 and by the May of the same year the choir had 16 members and 8 trainees who reached the final in the Urdd National Eisteddfod where they sang in Welsh.
Please visit the Nidus Children's Choir's new website for further information. www.niduschildrenschoir.co.uk
Nidus Children's Choir -November 2007 Some of the Children entertaining at Tredegar House Dec 07
A month later another gold medal was won again at the Abergavenny Eisteddfod performing Gabriel Faure’s ‘In Paradisum'. The choir did not enter in 2008 as they were preparing for the World Choir Games (AKA The Choir Olympics) held in Austria where they gave a fantastic performance and were awarded a Silver VII Diploma after competing against over 65 leading children's choirs from over 90 countries from all over the world. The choir were also featured on S4cs Wedi 3 programme performing Panis Anglicus. More Christmas concerts & fundraising events were organised and in January 2009, the choir welcomed many new members and were thrilled to be selected to compete at Llangollen International Eisteddfod. In June 2009 the choir of 26 children performed Rutter's 'Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day' and were awarded a Gold Medal once again at Abergavenny. Full details & youtube links are below.
The World Choir Games, Graz, Austria 2008
The Nidus Children’s Choir qualified to compete in the World Choir Games in July (formally known as the Choir Olympics) where they were the only choir representing Wales, UK. Our 28 strong team aged between 8 & 16 years travelled by coach with 30 parents/supporters to Austria. Their Games repertoire included pieces in Welsh, English & Russian and their performances in the competition and the friendship concert was outstanding and very well received as were their impromptu concerts in the hotel 'lobby' and 'Stadhalle' foyer. The week long trip was a wonderful experience for everyone and every part of it, from the Parade through the centre of Graz (which was lined with people cheering the choirs & took us to the huge opening ceremony), to the awards ceremony on our final morning was fantastic. We even found time for a day at a local water park which was great fun.......the wall to wall sunshine and high temperatures just added to an unforgettable week. To be awarded a SILVER DIPLOMA at our first event against over 60 children's choirs from all over the world was a fantastic result. Despite a valiant attempt at fundraising to get to China for the next games in 2010, we have realised that the cost would be too great but we are hopeful for USA in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkptvyqXMs0
Llangollen 2010, Music For Youth 2010
The Choir were placed 3rd at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2010. The staff & children were thrilled with this result especially with just a few points separating first and third place. The organisers said the standard was very high with some of the leading choirs in Wales, the UK & overseas all competing in the category.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntBOvwCJLeI
After receiving excellent feedback from the mentors at the Music For Youth Regional Festival in March, the choir were invited to perform at Symphony Hall Birmingham at the National Festival. En route to Llangollen, the coach called at the venue and gave a great performance. This was our first encounter with Music For Youth, the children received excellent feedback once more and everyone enjoyed the experience.
Nidus Theatre Arts run the choir on a voluntary basis inviting students & non students to audition but as music, rent & travel is very costly in Nov/Dec '07 a committee of parents was formed to support the choir with fundraising and to help with supervision/chaperoning & organising when needed. As we are a completely self funded, voluntary community group and due to the global recession we realise that raising large amounts of money is going to take time. We had already begun fundraising for the 2010 World Choir Games in China so this money was tranferred towards the next World Choir Games in USA 2012. Unfortunately, in Dec 2011, despite an gruelling fundraising campaign we came to the start realisation that we could not raise enough money to enable enough children to afford to take part however the 'fundraising pot' is safeguarded for the WCG 2014 and this year (2012) everyone can go to compete at Llangollen.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the two 3 day residential choral weekends at Llangrannog in Oct 09 & '10 and have worked with Ralph Allwood, Adrian Partington, Islwyn Evan & David Victor-Smith in 2010 through funding received after our successful bid to the BBCs Performing Arts Fund 'Choral Ambition'. After being approached to record with Bryn Terfel on his Christmas CD which was recorded in July '10, the choir were also invited to perform on Bryn's TV Christmas Show 'Nadolig Bryn Terfel' where they appeared with him for I Orwedd Mewn Preseb and also sung a piece on their own, the show was screened on Christmas Eve & Boxing Day. If anyone thinks they can help us raise money or know of sponsorship opportunities, again, please do not hestitate to contact heidi@nidustheatrearts.co.uk
2011/2012
You will see from the bottom of the 'news & events page' of this website the forthcoming events. Please also take a look at our new 'choir only' webiste www.niduschildrenschoir.co.uk .
The choir has recently recorded a Christmas CD which will be available to buy in the Autumn 2011, two tracks will also have an accompanying video to promote the CD. Please keep a look out for this, all profit from sales will go towards our aim to take up the choir's invitation to compete at the World Choir Games in Cinicinnati 2012.
Oct 2011 took the children's choir & adult singing group to Paris with performances at Eglise de la Madeleine, the outdoor bandstand at the Eifel Tower and on stage at Disneyland Paris. 101 people took went on the trip and it was thoroughly enjoyed by every person a particular highlight was the Eglise de la Madeleine where the children sang with the adult choir to a massive audience of approximately 400 people. In November the choir took part in John Rutter's Mass of the Children with the Priory Singers and the choir had a very sucessful Christmas Extravaganza concert. The choir also sang at hospital wards and sang at events organised by others (Eurochild, Tenovus, Help 4 Heroes, Barnardos, Save the Children).
Future events.........
Two choirs are heading for international competition at Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July and we have a residential choir workshop planned for 27th to 29th Oct 2012. Also in the pipeline is another mini-tour in 2013. Choir places are subsidised as much as possible from our fundraising. **********************************************************************************************************************************
Entry is open to anyone who is committed, enthusiastic and passes in entrance audition and applications are not restricted to students from Nidus Theatre Arts. Evelyn Nicholson, (who trains the choir) a tutor at Nidus Theatre Arts (see CV) and Christian Jenkins our conductor who give their time freely. Nidus Theatre Arts sponsors/runs the choir by their staff giving time to train & run the choir and donating normal rehearsal space free of charge and would like welcome any child who wishes to apply. There are many performance opportunities, the children receive excellent choral training.
**************************** EXCITING CHOIR OPPORTUNITIES **************
Please email for further details.
The choir is now expanding to develop a junior & senior/youth choir. We have vacancies for approx 10 new members aged 8 - 11 years and 10 aged 12 - 17 years (for the youth choir we're especially looking for BOYS with or without broken voices).
Rehearsals are in Cwmbran on Saturdays @ 12.00 till 1.30pm during term times only. Unless we are having fundraising events or have an iminent major concert or competition, there are no extra rehearsals however potential members must be committed, enthusiastic, open minded about singing everything from pop ballads to classical and be able to 'sing in tune'.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A NIDUS STUDENT TO BE PART OF THE CHOIR. IT'S A COMMUNITY CHOIR AND RUN ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. £12 PER TERM is payable by each member TOWARDS MUSIC & GENERAL RUNNING COSTS.
Our adult choir for family & friends of our children's choir rehearses on Saturdays 5.30 - 6.30pm at Our Lady of The Angels Parish HALL upstairs room (during term time only). We currently have about 20 ladies and gentlemen and new members from 15 years+ are always welcome, it doesn't matter if you do not have an association with any of the choirs. Come along and join the fun! £12 per term is payable towards music & rent costs as the adult choir is also run on a voluntary basis.
Anyone interested should contact heidi@nidustheatrearts.co.uk asap. You can also see Nidus Theatre Arts Facebook Page!