The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir (TWMVC) was established in 1995 when its founding member and first president, Gwyn Roberts, gathered together a group of like-minded individuals of Welsh heritage. They sought to kindle the spirit of traditional Welsh male voice singing in their adopted country. Ably assisted by, now emeritus, music director David Low, the founding members saw their numbers grow to a membership of sixty choristers. The choir continues to flourish musically under the direction of William Woloschuk and our principal accompanist Matthew Coons. Although many of the current members still lay claim to Welsh connections, the TWMVC now has members from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
The TWMVC proudly draws on the great Welsh tradition of singing hymns and songs born of the mountains and valleys of Wales. At the same time it emphasizes a multicultural context in its broad repertoire which also includes spirituals; operatic arias, Canadian folk songs as well as Broadway show tunes, pop and contemporary music all sung off book in accordance with tradition.
Since its inception, the Choir has performed in churches, cathedrals and concert halls throughout Ontario, Quebec, The Maritimes, Atlantic Canada, New York State and the UK. It was invited in June 2001, to sing at Roy Thomson Hall as part of the 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid Festival. The Choir was honoured with a finalist’s position in the 1998 CBC Choral Competition. In August 2002 the choir embarked on a highly successful tour of Wales. During July 2005 they toured the Maritimes where they performed five concerts to a very appreciative audiences in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In September 2008, the choir was honoured to be invited to take part in a combined choir of 400 voices at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. The soloist for the evening was the renowned Welsh baritone, Bryn Terfel, who is also an honorary patron of the Choir.
In 2010 the choir had a very successful tour of the Canadian Rockies and in July 2013 the choir embarked on yet another successful tour of the Principality of Wales wherein they performed six concerts. Those who attended were very complimentary about the performances saying the concerts were very entertaining and demonstrated the Choir’s versatility and diction
In September 2017 the choir was invited to perform at the NAFOW (North American Festival of Wales) Gala in Rochester, New York as the featured guest choir. It was an honor and a privilege that we will never forget. Our next travel stop would be Newfoundland, in Atlantic Canada in July 2018 to perform 4 concerts.
