Victoria Welsh Choir is a traditional Welsh male choir that has been performing in Victoria, interstate and overseas since 1980. Singing in four-part harmony and with at least a quarter of its musical range sung in Welsh, the choir has a wide repertoire, singing popular tunes, Broadway melodies, operatic arias, Afro-American spirituals, Welsh hymns and folk songs. The Victoria Welsh Choir members come from all over Melbourne and a thriving contingent comes from Bendigo.

Under the exceptional musical direction of Welsh-born Faleiry Koczkar, the choir has performed at prestigious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall in London, Docklands Stadium during the Rugby World Cup, and ANZAC Day Services at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

Program 1 includes a wide repertoire of the choir’s much-adored Welsh and English choral tunes, opera choruses, spirituals and popular songs from musicals.

Program 2 is a specially-created response to the 2011 Castlemaine State Festival’s focus on storytelling. The choir will draw inspiration from the story of the Welsh in Victoria, in particular The Diary of a Welsh Swagman by Joseph Jenkins. Readings from the diary will alternate with specially chosen Welsh folk tunes and hymns.