A MALE voice choir is set to continue despite dwindling numbers of singers.

It had been reported that Llangollen Male Voice Choir was to disband due to low numbers, but following an eleventh hour meeting the choir has decided to persevere.

The choir’s new musical director, Matthias Wurz, said: “The outlook is difficult with low numbers, but the decision taken by the choir members was to continue, a decision I also advocated, and I am glad I was able to instil some optimism.

“Even though with low numbers, the singers perform with confidence. We are keen to recruit members, all voices welcome.

“Still, with low membership, there is a real danger that one of the region’s traditional male voice choirs might come to an end. However, I will do my utmost to avoid such a decision in the nearer future. Let’s remember that the choir started in 1982 with just six members and grew over time to about 40. We might have had about the same number at last Friday’s rehearsal as there were in the choir’s beginning. But the enthusiasm of the members present, paired with my extensive experience as a choral conductor and singer might help to reverse the trend.

“Recruitment of choir members is a general issue for any choir these days, though Llangollen Male Voice Choir has been hit particularly hard. What also complicates matters is that its choir membership is spread much further afield these days. If we had more singers locally, this would help stabilise the situation.

“As the town is host to the International Eisteddfod, it would be particularly disappointing to lose its own musical institution within the community.

“It is especially difficult recruiting singers of the younger generations, male voices regardless of type of choir. Even with the choral scholarships I established with Cantorion Rhos last year, we had no applications from male choral singers, and thus were only able to award a scholarship each for a soprano and an alto.

“At Cantorion Rhos, we are in a much better situation with choir membership though, but male voices are always sought of. Same is true for my church choir at St Mary’s Church in Mold.”

For those wanting to join the choir, the next rehearsal is on Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen.