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0:00:00 > 0:00:04- From the Amman Valley, welcome - to Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:11 > 0:00:15- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:18 > 0:00:23- # Soli Deo gloria #
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- This week we celebrate 20 years...
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- ..since the founding - of Lleisiau'r Cwm choir.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46- We talk to - present conductor Catrin Hughes...
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- ..and Glynog Davies, - the choir's honorary president.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55- Tenor Robyn Lyn will perform as well - as the choir itself, of course.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- The singing comes from - All Saints Church, Ammanford.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- Catrin Hughes is the conductor - and Christopher Davies the organist.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- We begin with our first hymn, - O Dduw Rho I'm Dy Ysbryd...
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- ..sung to the hymn tune Llangloffan.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Lleisiau'r Cwm - is 20 years old this year, Catrin.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- I'm sure the years have flown by.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- It's a cliche to say that time flies - but it really has in our case.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- The choir formed in 1996 for the - National Eisteddfod in Llandeilo...
0:04:13 > 0:04:18- ..and since then, the small party - of 25 has grown substantially.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- Originally from Tregaron, you're now - a music teacher at Ysgol Y Strade.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- What prompted you - to start conducting a choir?
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- After graduating - from Aberystwyth University...
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- ..my first job - was at Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Aman.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- A group of schoolgirls - asked me to start a folk party...
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- ..for the National Eisteddfod - in Llandeilo.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- In a moment of weakness I agreed...
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- ..and I'm still conducting - 20 years later!
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- What kind of bunch are they?
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- They're full of fun.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57- Those who know us say we're - colourful characters and comical.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- We enjoy performing, - we enjoy hosting concerts...
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- ..and raising money - for local charities.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- Fundraising - is very close to my heart.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- We also entertain - through the medium of Welsh...
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- ..and promote Welsh culture - in Wales and beyond.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- Apart from appearing - on Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol...
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- ..what's been the highlight - over the past 20 years?
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- There have been several highlights.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Performing on the Llangollen stage - was an incredible experience.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- Winning the title of Cor Merched - Cymru in 2005 was incredible too...
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- ..as were our tours overseas - and the socializing involved.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- Many moments have been enjoyable - for me as a conductor.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Next is a performance by the choir.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- This is Catrin Hughes' arrangement - of O Fy Iesu Bendigedig.
0:08:27 > 0:08:33- # O my Jesus, blessed Jesus
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- # Only friend of my weak soul
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- # In all adversity
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- # My spirit - needs thy power to be kept whole
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- # While the tempests rage about me
0:08:57 > 0:09:04- # Through earth's waves - I'll be secure
0:09:05 > 0:09:11- # Help is given - my grasp to strengthen
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- # In thy nature
0:09:18 > 0:09:26- # Ever sure
0:09:26 > 0:09:32- # Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:09:36 > 0:09:42- # Here is ground I long to build on
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- # Amid decay, one here I trust
0:09:48 > 0:09:54- # Earth's one hope - of shield and saviour
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- # While its mountains turn to dust
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- # While I stand on this foundation
0:10:07 > 0:10:14- # In the tempest and the blast
0:10:15 > 0:10:20- # The eternal rock of ages
0:10:20 > 0:10:27- # Is the place
0:10:27 > 0:10:34- # Forever fast
0:10:34 > 0:10:40- # Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- # Naught on earth endures forever
0:10:51 > 0:10:57- # Family and friends pass on
0:10:57 > 0:11:03- # Health and strength, - hope and ambition
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- # New-found friends are quickly gone
0:11:08 > 0:11:15- # Building on these things - will only show
0:11:15 > 0:11:22- # Their strength but sinking sand
0:11:22 > 0:11:28- # To depend on Jesus only
0:11:28 > 0:11:34- # Proves the power
0:11:35 > 0:11:42- # Of his strong hand
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- # Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:11:50 > 0:12:04- # Of his strong hand #
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- We will now sing a hymn...
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- ..expressing a longing - for a scattering of the holy spirit.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- O Anfon Di Yr Ysbryd Glan - Yn Enw Iesu Mawr.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Joining me now - is the King of the Amman Valley...
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- ..and the honorary president - of Lleisiau'r Cwm, Glynog Davies.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- I'm sure - it's a privilege being president.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- I'm prepared to accept the title - of honorary president...
0:14:47 > 0:14:52- ..and it's a real privilege being - involved with such a great choir.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- They sing - fresh and contemporary pieces.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- They promote the best music...
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- ..in this locality.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- Catrin Hughes is Queen of the choir.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Their contribution to this valley - is priceless.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- Yes, indeed.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- One must remember that this is - a post-industrial valley.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Most of its virtues - have disappeared...
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- ..because people have had to move - away but the choir has remained.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- We're fortunate - to have a male voice choir...
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- ..and a mixed choir in Ammanford.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- But this is the ladies' choir and - they make a valuable contribution.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- Whatever the cause, - Catrin and her choir never say no...
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- ..so long as it fits in - with their schedule.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- They're always ready to help and - willing to contribute through song.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- Voluntary work - is important to you, isn't it?
0:15:47 > 0:15:52- Yes, it is, because there are - so many worthwhile causes...
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- ..in need of help these days.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- What gives me so much satisfaction - is people's continued generosity...
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- ..despite the fact - this is a far from affluent area.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- One must remember that some people - find it hard to make ends meet...
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- ..yet they're - always willing to contribute.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- Amman Valley Hospital - is also in our locality...
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- ..and we want to - improve resources there.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- We're currently fundraising to buy - an X-ray machine for the hospital.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- I know people - are going to give generously...
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- ..though we must raise - thousands of pounds.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- I know they'll contribute because - they want to improve people's lives.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- Thank you very much, Glynog.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- Catrin Hughes - comes from the Tregaron area...
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- ..as does Robyn Lyn, the tenor.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- He will now sing Then Shall - The Righteous Shine Forth...
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- ..from Mendelssohn's Elijah.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- # Then, then shall - the righteous shine forth
0:17:01 > 0:17:08- # As the sun - in their heavenly father's realm
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- # Shine forth as the sun
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:17:19 > 0:17:25- # Then shall - the righteous shine forth
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:17:31 > 0:17:38- # Shine forth as the sun, - shine forth as the sun
0:17:38 > 0:17:44- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:17:47 > 0:17:53- # Joy on their heads - shall be for everlasting
0:17:53 > 0:17:59- # Joy on their heads - shall be for everlasting
0:17:59 > 0:18:06- # And all sorrow, - all sorrow and mourning
0:18:06 > 0:18:14- # Shall flee away for ever
0:18:14 > 0:18:20- # Then, then shall - the righteous shine forth
0:18:20 > 0:18:26- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- # Shine forth, shine
0:18:32 > 0:18:38- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:18:39 > 0:18:46- # Shine forth as the sun
0:18:46 > 0:18:54- # In their heavenly father's realm
0:18:54 > 0:19:02- # Then shall - the righteous shine forth
0:19:02 > 0:19:16- # In their heavenly father's realm #
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- To end our programme - from Ammanford...
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- ..we'll sing the popular hymn - I Dduw Bo'r Gogoniant.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- Goodbye from us all.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:24:16 > 0:24:16- .