The Brecon Cathedral Choir will take a tour to Munich from July 24-27 to perform with the Munich Bach Choir.
The cathedral choir take tours abroad bi-annually - this trip will mark their first tour since the Covid pandemic.
Conductor James Davies is taking the tour abroad and said: “This year we’re going to Munich. We’re singing in Andechs Monastery and Rosehneim as well as the bigger churches over five days. The choir hasn’t been to Germany since 2010, so it will be nice to go again.”
Their tour will take them to historic locations, such as Andechs Monastery, where Benedictine monks have been working and praying on the “Holy Mountain” since 1455, attending to Bavaria’s oldest pilgrimage.
There is excitement with the group to travel again after Covid, with 18 members getting ready for the tour.
James said: “It feels amazing. It’s just the adults going this time to ease back into touring. Touring can be quite hard. When we link with the Munich Bach Choir, we’re hoping to create a link with them and Brecon and bring them here.”
The touring experience helps to create awareness for Brecon in different countries.
James explained: “The festival organiser lives in Munich, but he’s wanted to create stronger links between Brecon and Munich. He’s from Brecon. It’s nice to work with different musicians to see how they do things, which is different from how we do things here.”
They will meet six members of the Munich Bach Choir who will be performing with them.
The group will be performing five shows. It follows the group ‘Come and sing festival evensong’, where anyone is welcome to join.
James is keen to encourage those in the area to get involved with the choir, regardless of their religious background.
“The kids get all their music lessons and singing lessons for free if they join the choir,” he said.
“If anybody would like information about joining the Cathedral Choir (child or adult alike) please contact Fr Steven Griffith at: [email protected].”