Côr Cymru Explained

Genre:Talent show
Presenter:Aled Jones (2003)
Nia Roberts (2005–2007)
Heledd Cynwal (2009–)
Starring:Heledd Cynwal (2003)
Gareth Owen (2005–2007)
Morgan Jones (2009–)
Country:Wales
Language:Welsh
Num Series:8
Location:The Great Hall, Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Runtime:60 minutes
Company:Opus (2003–2007)
Rondo Media (2009–)
Channel:S4C
Last Aired:present
Related:Last Choir Standing

Côr Cymru is a Welsh TV competition searching for the best choir in Wales, which airs every 2 years on S4C. The first series was presented by Aled Jones and Heledd Cynwal in 2003, but subsequent series have been fronted by Nia Roberts and Gareth Owen. Facilities supplied by The Barcud Derwen Group.

Despite a similar show being developed by the BBC in the form of Last Choir Standing, S4C recently revealed Côr Cymru returned for a brand new series in 2009.[1]

Format

The show sees choirs competing against each other in knockout-style semi finals in five different categories (female voice, male voice, mixed, youth (16–25 years), and children's choirs). The winners in each category then compete in the live final for the grand title of "Choir of Wales". S4C announced on 5 April 2017, that the winner of Côr Cymru 2017 would represent Wales at the Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017.[2]

Winners

The winners of the title so far are:

YearChoirCategory
2003The Ceredigion School of MusicYouth
2005SerendipityMixed
2007 CywairMixed
2009The Ceredigion School of MusicChildren
2011CywairMixed
2013Côr Y WiberWomen
2015 Côr Heol y MarchChildren
2017Côr Merched Sir Gâr[3] Youth
2019Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion[4] Youth
2022Côrdydd[5] Mixed
Best conductor award:
  • 2007: Mari Pritchard: Côr Ieuenctid Môn (Anglesey Youth Choir)
  • 2009: Sioned James: Côrdydd, Cardiff
  • 2011: Islwyn Evans, Cywair
  • 2013: Aled Phillips, Côr Meibion Rhosllannerchrugog (men)
  • 2015: Janet Jones, Parti Llwchwr
  • 2017: Eilir Owen Griffiths, CF1
  • 2019: Mari Pritchard, Anglesey Youth Choir
    Viewers' choice award:
  • 2011: Cantata, Llanelli (women)
  • 2013: Côr y Cym (youth)
  • 2015: Parti Llwchwr (women)
  • 2017: Côr Ieuenctid Môn
  • 2019: Côr Sioe Môn
    Côr Cymru Cynradd (for primary school choirs)
  • 2015: Ysgol Iolo Morganwg
  • 2017: Ysgol Pen Barras
  • 2019: Ysgol Teilo Sant

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: S4C Press Release. https://web.archive.org/web/20110526132221/http://www.s4c.co.uk/sched/e_press_level2.shtml?id=180. dead. 26 May 2011.
    2. Web site: Granger. Anthony. Wales: Selects for Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017 on April 9. eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. 5 April 2017. 5 April 2017.
    3. Web site: Granger. Anthony. Côr Merched Sir Gâr to Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017. eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. 9 April 2017. 9 April 2017.
    4. Web site: Granger. Anthony. Wales: Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion Selected For Eurovision Choir of the Year 2019. eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. 7 April 2019. 7 April 2019.
    5. News: Côrdydd yn fuddugol yng nghystadleuaeth Côr Cymru 2022. BBC Cymru Fyw . 3 April 2022. cy. 2 January 2023.