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Watch: The Welsh National anthem but not as you’ve heard it before

30 Sep 2023 2 minute read
John Hanchett films himself performing with Treorchy Male Choir (Credit: John Hanchett)

By their own admission it was one of the best concerts they’ve performed.

When the famed Treorchy Male Choir performed last weekend at Wells Cathedral they were accompanied by The Bands of HM Royal Marines.

One of the members of the band John Hanchett was determined to capture the moment he played with Treorchy Male Choir, and more especially on their rousing version of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

For the former member of the Royal Marine Band Service now turned music teacher, it was a wonderful experience.

“It was a fantastic concert with the Treorchy Male Choir,” he said. “From the choir’s first sound in rehearsal we knew that the audience were going to be in for an evening of quality live music in Wells Cathedral

“The Royal Marines Association Concert Band is a group made of many former serving military musicians as well as high quality amateur instrumentalists. I think both ensembles inspired each other to perform at their very best. I’m a music teacher, having served in the Royal Marine Band Service before entering education. It’s always a joy to perform with the band.”

“Having enjoyed the rehearsal, and regularly recording videos of me playing for my own personal social media channels I was keen to capture something with the choir – and what better than the anthem.

“The sheer energy and intense musical emotion from Treorchy Male Choir all evening was spine tingling. Something to be experienced live.”

And this is how the anthem sounded to the audience.


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Gruff Williams
Gruff Williams
1 year ago

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could divorce Welsh culture from the British military.

Arthur Owen
Arthur Owen
1 year ago
Reply to  Gruff Williams

It would be nice but the two things have been intimately connected since C15 at least.Like you I do not approve of the Royal Marines,the Church of England or indeed in my case singing resolutely secular anthem in a church. But once I heard it all doubts were blown away,such is the power of art.

Ianto
Ianto
1 year ago

Do we need to be informed it’s the “Welsh national anthem” rather than simply the national anthem?

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