A CHOIR helped raise the roof of the brand new International Convention Centre Wales at the venue’s first ever event.

Caldicot Male Voice Choir was honoured to be the first to sing at the impressive new £83m building overlooking the Coldra at the Celtic Manor in Newport.

The choir sang at the invitation of the Association of Stoma Care Nurses which provides care, facilities and education for stoma patients and organised the first ever convention and exhibition at the iconic centre, which attracted several hundred visitors.

Conducted by musical director Sian Hatton and assistant Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson, the choir opened with Cwm Rhondda and treated the delegates to a rousing performance which also included Yfory, Sixteen Tons, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Rachie, Begeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn, What Would I do Without My Music? and African Prayer.

The choir finally assembled on the plaza in front of the gigantic steel Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) for an historic photo followed by an impromptu, unaccompanied performance of Stout Hearted Men and Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, the Welsh National Anthem over and above the sound of the M4 traffic.

Jointly funded by the Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, the stunning venue has been designed for world class conventions, events and meetings.

The Sunday, September 15, performance came just two days after the choir performed at the World Sepsis Day Dinner at the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff.

The choir is well on course to raising its target of £5,000 this year for the Sepsis UK Trust (Wales) charity and the invitation from charity director Terence Canning was in recognition of the choir’s efforts.

Choristers Anthony Griffiths and Grahame Morton passed over another £1,500 on the night to Terence.

Among the distinguished guests in the audience was the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Daniel De’Ath, who expressed his appreciation for the performance and fund raising efforts of the choir.

Opening with Men of Harlech, highlights of the evening included the choir’s presentations of Bohemian Rhapsody, California Dreamin and What would I do without my Music?

Welsh offerings included Yfory, Anfonaf Angel and African Prayer. The concert ended with a standing ovation following Cwm Rhondda.

Terence Canning said the choir was “amazing” and thanked everyone for their support and efforts to make it a wonderful occasion.

To learn more about Caldicot Male Voice Choir, you can visit www.caldicotmale voicechoir.co.uk