LLANDDULAS Male Voice Choir is rehearsing regularly again under a new musical director after having its activities severely restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is concentrating on building up membership and creating a repertoire to put it in a position to take on a full programme in 2023.

Musical director Nia Roberts, who replaced Eirlys Dwyryd as musical director, has been with the choir for 18 months now.

Nia grew up in Denbighshire, attending Ysgol Glan Clwyd, where she was given many opportunities to perform as a soloist, and within a choir.

As a first language Welsh speaker, Nia grew up within a strong Eisteddfod ethos, and as a daughter to a Methodist minister, was surrounded by hymns and harmonies growing up.

Nia went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and also gained a diploma from the London College of Music.

Nia has accompanied professionally for many years, and has musically directed productions such as Calamity Jane, School of Rock and Joseph.

As a teacher of music and Welsh at St. Brigid’s School in Denbigh, her role gives her the opportunity to prepare students for auditions and careers in both classical and musical theatre performing.

A spokesperson for the choir said: “It is with great delight that Nia takes over the role as musical director of the Llanddulas Choir, and is greatly looking forward to the journey ahead!

“Nia took over 18 months ago, but for much of that, time we have not been allowed to rehearse.

“However, Nia has done much work behind the scenes, and now that we have started meeting again in Llanddulas, she has proved that she is the right person for the job.

“It is a real pleasure singing under her baton and she obviously enjoys it, too.

“We are all set to rebuild the Llanddulas Choir, which will concentrate this year on recruitment and putting together a full repertoire, to enable us to perform a full programme to our well-known standards in 2023.

“Nia is only our third musical director in 66 years and is keen to carry on our tradition of entertaining the public to the high standards, for which Llanddulas Choir is so well-known.

“The choir, who have travelled extensively over the years, entertain visitors to Llandudno throughout the summer and have a busy schedule supporting several charitable causes.”

Anyone interested in joining the choir can contact choir secretary Ted Francis at ted@francis2210.go-plus.net, or Nia Roberts at niagroberts@yahoo.co.uk.