It has been announced by the National Eisteddfod of Wales organisers that the current Welsh Area and Grand Shield Champion, Tredegar, will be playing a major musical role in the promotion of the event next month – by teaming up with the award winning choir 'Only Men Aloud.'

Cultural event

The most important cultural event in Wales returns to the former steel making town for just the second time in fifty years, and organisers have invited Tredegar to play a major musical role.

Eisteddfod first

The Classical Brit Award winning choir, 'Only Men Aloud' will headline the opening televised concert on Friday 30th July and have commissioned a piece especially for the event, featuring the talents of both ensembles.

Only Men Aloud

'Only Men Aloud' were aware of Tredegar's recent successes and specifically requested their participation in the concert.

Tredegar will then take part in the televised Eisteddfod brass band competition on 1st August, before taking part in the Gymanfa Concert finale later that evening, in what is believed to be a first for a brass band at the Eisteddfod.

Only Men Aloud were aware of Tredegar's recent successes and specifically requested their participation in the concert4BR

A Class Act

The following week, Tredegar will provide two ten piece ensembles who will join with the BBC Wales Chorus and the Welsh Chamber Orchestra to perform Verdi's ‘March from Aida’ as part a concert entitled ‘A Class Act’, following a year long vote on the Eisteddfod's website.

Brecon swingers

Meanwhile the band is currently putting the finishing touches to another ‘first’ as they get ready for a concert appearance with Brecon singer Paul Bowen.

The renowned ‘swinger’ hears the band at the famous Brecon Jazz Festival last year and contacted the band to see if they could provide the backing for no less than 16 swing items for his concert in the town this weekend.

Tredegar’s ‘composer in residence’, Matt Hall got to work with Paul last month and has come up with 16 swing arrangements of music from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

Different

Matt told 4BR: "It’s been great working with Paul for this show. The pieces should suit the band and provide some great backing to Paul, who is a wonderful singer. It’s certainly something different and very much a first for me too."

For further information go to:
http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk