Abergavenny male close harmony choir ‘Synergy’ have exciting times ahead. Following the successful auditioning of 11 new members plucked from 50 men of varying singing experience and ability who participated in a Free Singing Course funded by Abergavenny Town Council in October last year, they were welcomed into the choir with the presentation of their ’walking out shirts’ at last Thursday nights rehearsal upstairs at Abergavenny Rugby Club.
This takes numbers to 34 in total and with the new members already well into learning the existing repertoire plus new songs the choir look forward to a larger stage presence at up and coming events such as The Mayors Charity Concert at St Marys Church Abergavenny on 1st February, The Hereford Music Festival in March and The Cornish International Choir Festival in May, where in 2011 they won the prize for the Best UK Small Choir and came third in the overall competition including choirs from around the world.
The formation of a new marketing sub-committee within the choir hopes to promote the choir widely and attract further sing outs. The choir pulls mostly professional gentlemen together from all walks of life from Abergavenny and from much further afield including practicing and retired, electricians, solicitors, civil servants, architect, graphic designers, pharmacist, policemen, pilot, farmers, computer and aircraft technicians, engineers, and even a barber or two.
The learning is challenging with much solo practice and rehearsal once a week on Thursday nights at Abergavenny RFC from 7.15pm under the direction of talented Musical Directors, Andrew Walker and Martin Flory. Both are accomplished singers having previously achieved Gold in the Quartet discipline in the British National Barbershop Convention with Andrew a double and current British Quartet Champion Bass singer.
Synergy is the only male a cappella choir of its type in South Wales. None of the choir members are outstanding soloists but their combined voice and range sung with well-chosen material create a special sound, hence the name ‘Synergy’ as the combined effect is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Any interested males from 16 to 90 who would like to know more are encouraged to come along to a rehearsal evening where they will be made welcome.
Further details about Synergy can be found on their website www.synergysingers.com. The choir is available for hire for a variety of functions and interested parties are invited to call booking Secretary Mike Howley Tel 01989 720450 or contact him via the website.