A Look Back at Pendyrus

involvement at the Cardigan Eisteddfod. The only information that have come to light on Pendyrus’s involvement at this Eisteddfod, is that they performed there on four occasions. The first was in 1955 when they were invited to perform the closing night concert on the Sunday evening, and a newspaper report by the local music critic reads as follows. The concert provided an inspiring close to the festival. A magnificent choir and three notable artists, Lucille Graham, Soprano, Maureen Guy, Alto, and John Cameron Baritone. The choir presented a thrilling programme in the Eisteddfod marquee on Sunday night, it was an evening of fine singing with moments of great beauty, Pendyrus faced no easy task when it is remembered that in the same marquee the previous evening 15 noted choirs had charmed a vast audience, but the choir, obedient to Mr. Arthur Duggan’s baton revealed that artistry which has brought them premier awards. ‘Their dramatic singing had the impact of a blow, but they also observed the eloquence of restraint in the gentler mode, it was difficult to realise that 120 voices were singing in the thunder of their climax’s the number might have been far more’. They choose a dramatic opening, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Christmas Williams, and with this impressive opening gripped the audience, and then the seal was set upon by the fine drama of ‘Pilgrims Chorus’. 1957; Class B competition, 1st Beaufort 94 marks, 2nd Pendyrus 92 marks, 3rd Manselton 90 marks. They also competed on the same day in the class A competition, 1st Treorchy 182 marks, 2nd Beaufort 176 marks, 3rd Pendyrus 175 marks. 1958; Class A 1st Pendyrus, 2nd Tredegar Orpheus, there were no marks given. This occasion was the last time that founder Musical Director, Arthur Duggan was to win an Eisteddfod competition. However, he did conduct them at the Caernarfon Eisteddfod in 1959 when they were placed 3rd behind Treorchy and Rhos male Choir. His final eisteddfod competition was at the miners eisteddfod later that year, their own choice piece was Meibion yr Anial (Sons of the Desert). They were again placed 2nd to Treorchy, who performed the Coronation Scene from Boris Godounov. 2010 1st Pendyrus 2011 Closing night concert. 2012 1st Pendyrus 2017 1st Pendyrus 2019 1st Pendyrus