Rhos Orpheus Choir to have final concert this month

The Rhos Orpheus Male Choir was formed in 1957 in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, with the specific purpose of competing at the 1958 Llangollen International Eisteddfod. 

The choir went on to perform in locations around the world, for royalty, with many famous names, and has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity. 

Sadly, after 67 years, the choir will be holding its final few concerts this month as the decision to cease their talent has been made.

The announcement comes after a struggle to recruit new members and a need from long-standing members to retire. 

Richard believes this photo of the Rhos Orpheus Choir is from the 1980s (Image: Richard Huxley)

The choir was initially under the baton of local musician J Raymond Williams who set the high standards it has maintained ever since.

John Glyn Wiliams, known affectionately as ‘John Glyn’ took over the role of conductor in 1966 and by this time, Anne Phillips had become the accompanist to the choir, a role she held for over 40 years.

Following the retirement of John Glyn Williams in 1989, Eifion Wyn Jones became the conductor and musical director. Eifion is a native of Rhos and had joined the choir at the age of 14.

The choir has performed with some famous names in the world of music including Sir Geraint Evans and a very young Bryn Terfel. They have also made many recordings, including a Christmas CD which reached No 5 in the Classic FM Album Chart.

The choir has a long and proud tradition of raising money for charity including the 'LP Calm is the Sea' which made over £10,000 for the RNLI. They've continued to support charities including the British Heart Foundation, Nightingale House Hospice and most recently Ukrainian Charities in the UK.

The choir has had the privilege of carrying the torch of friendship to many parts of the world. Its first overseas visit was to Essen in the then West Germany and other European visits included Norway, Sweden, Holland and Belgium.

On five occasions, the choir visited Canada and the USA where it sang to its biggest audience of over 45,000 at the Brewers Field Baseball Ground in Milwaukee. In 1980, the choir was the first Western choir to perform in China following the Cultural Revolution.

Under the leadership of Eifion Wyn Jones, the choir has continued to be regarded as one of the finest male voice choirs in Wales. This has been achieved by performing an extensive range of music including Welsh favourites, opera choruses, songs from the shows and some surprises.

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In December 2022, the choir had the honour of performing for HM The King and Queen Consort when the King proclaimed Wrexham as a city.

This year, the choir has performed in London and later this month will welcome a choir from Germany during which over one weekend it will reaffirm the peace and friendship which has existed between the two choirs and which stretches back over 40 years.

While hundreds of members have once been a part of the choir, there are three notable members who have each been singing for around 50-years. They are Roy Kendrick, Gareth Williams and Gus Harper.

Secretary of the Rhos Orpheus Richard Huxley said: "Whilst the choir knows that the final two concerts will undoubtedly be a sad occasion, it should also be an opportunity to celebrate its achievements in over 65 years of making music – making music not only in the UK but across the world."

The final concert details are as follows:

• St Giles parish church in Wrexham on Friday, October 18: For tickets visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/DURQ
• St Matthews's church in Buckley, October 20. For tickets visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/DUTC