Lisburn Community Choir goes on tour for the first time in 13 years
Eighty members of Lisburn Community Choir have returned home from the choir’s first-ever tour, following a packed weekend of singing, friendship and unforgettable experiences across South Wales.
The choir, which does not normally continue its activities through the summer months, travelled from Belfast to Bristol and on to Cardiff for a weekend of performances and opportunities to connect with hundreds of people across Cardiff, Penarth and Barry.
The tour began with a sold-out concert at Penarth Methodist Church, where Lisburn Community Choir were special guests of Barry Male Voice Choir at their annual concert.
Around 400 people packed the church, despite extremely warm temperatures, to enjoy an evening of music from the Welsh male voice choir and their visitors from Northern Ireland.
The response to the Lisburn choir was enthusiastic and generous, with the evening providing a memorable start to what would become a truly special weekend.
On Saturday morning, the choir travelled to Barry Island – the home of the much-loved sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Performing on the promenade, the choir sang to hundreds of people enjoying the iconic seaside location where many scenes from the television series were filmed.
After an afternoon exploring Cardiff, the choir travelled to the stunning Great Hall at Howell’s School in Llandaff for a very different kind of musical experience.
Rather than a public concert, the Lisburn singers joined around 75 members of City Voices Cardiff for an evening of shared music, friendship and connection.
Songs were exchanged, bonds were formed and, by the end of the evening, City Voices Cardiff had been invited to return to Northern Ireland in 2028 to help Lisburn Community Choir celebrate its 15th anniversary.
On Sunday morning, the choir made its way to Cardiff Bay, where they had been granted permission to perform on the steps of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament building.
Once again, the music drew people in. Dog walkers, runners, tourists and locals stopped to listen as the choir performed an hour-long open-air concert, receiving warm applause from the crowds gathered around them.
Throughout the weekend, wherever the choir went, connections were made. People shared stories of their own links with Northern Ireland, while the choir experienced the warmth, welcome and wonderful hospitality for which Wales is renowned.
And before flying home on Monday, the choir enjoyed a well-deserved afternoon in the beautiful city of Bath, following what had been an action-packed weekend of performances and travel.
For Musical Director Tim Reynolds, the tour was a resounding success.
“The choir bonded in a way that I have never seen before,” he said. “There was something incredibly special about taking 80 people away together, performing in such wonderful places, meeting so many new people and building connections through music.
“The Welsh gave us such a warm welcome, and we have made friendships and memories that will stay with us for a very long time. I think it is fair to say that this will certainly not be our last tour.”
The choir will now turn its attention to the new concert season in the autumn, as preparations begin for its special Christmas concerts at Lisburn Cathedral, entitled Joyful.