Cardiff Passion melts Eau Claire, WI Blizzard

The giant Welsh choral festival in Cardiff next year took on a US dimension. The promoters who travelled from Wales to Wisconsin, the Friendly State, to make a presentation to twelve male choruses. The sudden snow storm that greeted the intrepid travellers did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the prospect of choristers of visiting Wales.

Participating choirs came from North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin to entertain a full audience at the AMCA Big Sing 2002 held in Zorn Arena in Eau Claire University on Saturday 27 April 2002. The choruses combined in full voice and also, each chorus presented a cameo of their own choice. The performances were of the highest quality with an entertaining programme that had something for everyone.

The choruses were excited by the prospect of joining an international chorus of 10,000 men and a 70 strong orchestra in Cardiff's City Centre Millennium Stadium on 13 July 2003. At the presentation, the attentive ensemble was give information about the music, hotel accommodation in Cardiff and how to reserve tickets. The whole event is listed in the Internet but for people without this facility, for accommodation a phone call to: Zara Elliott, Cardiff Conference Bureau, St. David's House, Wood Street, Cardiff CF10 1ES Tel (+44) 02920 347 827 or you can e-mail: dabs@cardiffconferencebureau.co.uk and for tickets TicketlineUK, 47 Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales. Tel (+44) ( 0)2920 230130 or e-mail: admin@ticketline.com

The Cardiff repertoire covers traditional and modern music, songs from the shows and a wide variety of modern and classical pieces. There are a number of Welsh pieces in the programme but only one will be in the Welsh language, the hymn Gwahoddiad. The programme that includes the Battle Hymn of the Republic poses the question "How fast can your toes tap?"

The World of Male Voices 2003 concert will stir the spirits and stiffen the spines of ten of thousands of ordinary people who usually attend concerts in theatres, churches and cathedrals. For the choristers, it will be a rare - for many, unique - chance to experience the thrill of performing live in an international arena.

The Festival of World of Male Voices, to be recorded by BBC, will be conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes. Full details of the Big Sing can be found on www.worldofmalevoices2003.com.

Geraint Hopkins/John Hiett