Mark Main, Chairman
I have been elected Chairman of the City of Newport Male Choir.
I joined the choir in January 2022, something I had been thinking about for a few years but never took the plunge, but since joining, I realised all the benefits I had been missing. I have found the choir was not only about singing, the camaraderie and chats within the choir have giving me a new outlook and my mental well being has improved. All the learning is done as a team and we all benefit learning the music and give us a sense of joy when we perform to our audience.
The choir has raised significant funds for a great number of organisations and charities through our music and this fills me with immense pride and with people generously help us support these great causes.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the musical team and choristers for their commitment to the choir.
If any men, young or not so young are reading this you can learn from the experiences choristers and learn of the fun and health benefits of being in a choir such as ours, we would gladly welcome you to join us, so please come along to our rehearsals at the Gwent Music, Malpas Court Primary School Grounds, Whittle Dr, Newport NP20 6NS on Mondays and Thursdays 7 – 7.30 or contact our Secretary, Patrick Frost, on 07795 418684
Patrick Frost, Secretary
My name is Patrick Frost.
I joined the choir in Jan 2025 after following up their recruitment posters of new choristers welcomed with no experience as I had liked singing but not followed it up previously. I have been welcomed whole heartedly into the choir and I have been assisted with learning the songs during rehearsal and practising at home via audio demonstrations by the musical director. This has raised my spirit immensely such that I chose to put myself forward to take on the role of secretary and was pleased to be selected by the choir in that role. The community spirit within the choir is very friendly and the sense of achievement after performances is collectively shared.
I would encourage men who have not tried this in the past to give it a go and see if they enjoy it as much as I do. It will improve your mental health and improve your memory in the way we learn the songs. Just come along to one of our rehearsals on a Monday or Thursday at Gwent Music, or give me a ring on the number provided in this website
Andrew Davies, Vice Chairman
Steve Lake, Treasurer
David Wyn-Jones – Concert & Transport Secretary
Melvin Price, Stage Manager
Robin Watkins , Uniform Manager
Merion Harries, Librarian
Eddie Starkey, Welfare officer
Bernard Arnold – Transport Manager
Richard Jones – Registrar
Paul Davies – Social Fund
Musical Director- Owen Parsons
Owen is a Newport-born baritone, conductor and pianist, with a particular passion for choral music. Having conducted choirs since Sixth Form, he has worked with singers of all ages and abilities, alongside performing with the BBC National Chorus of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales, Welsh National Youth Opera, Only Boys Aloud, performing alongside Sir Bryn Terfel and Roderick Williams OBE, under the baton of Gareth Malone OBE, and performing to royalty such as Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
A Cardiff University Music graduate with First-Class Honours, Owen held the Paul Robeson Scholarship and was awarded the Sir Geraint Evans Prize for Best Singer of the Year. He brings meticulous attention to detail, infectious enthusiasm and a love of music across all genres, and is hugely excited to work with the choir, develop its sound and musicianship, and help take it to the next level.
Owen is a trustee of the Paul Robeson Wales Trust and, in his day job, works in events for The Celtic Collection.
Barbara Davies, Accompanist
Born and raised in London Barbara studied music from an early age specializing in pianoforte. She was trained to be a teacher and had a teaching career in London and Newport spanning 30 years. Barbara is an associate of the Royal college of music and has accompanied the City of Newport Male Choir for over 30 years, also playing for various solo artists. Previously she accompanied local operatic companies. Barbara has two children and 6 grandchildren who keep her very busy.
Choir President, Councillor Allan Morris
I make no apology for admitting being one of the City of Newport Male Choir’s greatest fans. In a rapidly changing world they maintain the highest traditions of Welsh Male Choral singing, and they do it superbly. No matter how grand or sparse the venue, how large or small the audience the choir give it everything they have, and believe me they have a lot to give. It is blatantly obvious that they always enjoy themselves as much as their audiences. Always immaculately turned out, from the moment they step on the stage the choir leave the audience in no doubt that the people of Newport have a lot of reasons to be proud of these great ambassadors to their City. With the ability to send a shiver down your spine or a tear to the eye they truly deserve their hard earned world wide reputation. It is a huge tribute to their musical Director Sarah Jones
Honorary Vice President Jessica Morden MP Newport East
“ I was very proud to be asked to be Honorary Vice President of the City of Newport Male Choir. The Choir is a thriving and vibrant Choral group which maintains the singing traditions of this area and provides Newport with yet another thing to be very proud of. Their Concerts, both here in Newport and across the country, attract a wide variety of people and they work hard to reach out to new audiences with new material, which is a credit to this dedicated team. I look forward to this seasons performances and to the exciting year ahead”.