The title of a new CD produced by Sain for the Whitland Male Voice Choir is 'A Hundred Years of Song' and this was recorded in St. Mary's Church, Whitland, on May 12 and 13, this year. This is the fifth recording made by the choir over the years but it is the first in the new format of a compact disc. Under musical director Juliet Rossiter and accompanist Hefina Jones, the choir sang 16 numbers from their extensive repertoire. The choir has been in existence for over 100 years, with members drawn from a wide area embracing Whitland, Clunderwen, Llanboidy, Narberth and surrounding districts. The origins of singing in Whitland go back more than a century and certainly there was a Whitland choir competing in local eisteddfodau which in 1901 was led by Mr. Howell Williams and competed in the class with the number of choristers more than 25. It is believed this was a mixed choir, because there were three male voice parties competing at the same time and the Whitland Male Voice Party, conducted by Mr. Tom Davies, competed in the class for male voices over 12 in number. This was all reported in the Welshman, which was the local paper for the area, and indeed the choir have in their possession a tuning fork given to Tom Davies on that occasion and engraved accordingly. In the Welshman of January 25, 1901, it was recorded that the Whitland Choir won at the local eisteddfod and was given a special prize for their rendition of Awn, Awn I Ben yr Wyddfa. Before this, Y Cymro, which preceded the Welshman, reported choirs competing well back into the 19th century. Everything was not always peaceable - on February 1, 1901, Wil wrote in Welsh to the editor of the Welshman complaining about the voice of the young baritone who won the solo event at the local eisteddfod. This also gives a clue to the longevity of Whitland's singing tradition, because he also said in his letter, "Parti Bechgyn yr Hendy-Gwyn cychwynwyd ychydig o amswer yn ôl gyda brwdfryderld mawr," Whitland Male Voice Party started some years ago with much enthusiasm. This was followed on February 8, the next edition of the paper, with an answer signed by William Bach, who stated that there was no division within the Male Voice Party and that the older members must accept that younger voices will take over the leading role. Prior to 1914, there were three male voice parties competing in the area, Côr Danybont conducted by Mr. T. Devonald, Côr TD, conducted by Mr. Tom Davies, and Y Cymrodorion, conducted by Mr. D. Davies. The Welshman reported on May 1, 1914, that a meeting had been held on April 26 in the Council School to select a conductor for a new united Male Voice Choir - presumably since men were leaving to join the army. The newspaper reported that there were two choirs present at that meeting under the leadership of Mr. Tom Davies, of Market Street, and Mr. Jos Rees, of Glanavon. It was agreed that a new choir should be formed entitled Whitland and District United Male Voice Choir. The president was Mr. John Rees, Moss Cottage, North Street, the conductor was Mr. Tom Davies, Market Street, and the secretary was Mr. J. H. Stephens, Velfrey Road. The choir has had several conductors since that time. Notably, of course, Danny Stephens, who was the conductor for 61 years from 1922 to 1983, Pat Jones from 1983-84, Paul Williams from 1985-90, Christine Shewry 1991-95, Rhian Jones and Richard Stephen in 1986 and Peter Carder from 1997 to 1998. For the last seven years, they have been under the musical direction of Julie Rossiter and they are fortunate indeed to have the services of two accomplished pianists, Hefina Jones, who is their concert pianist and also deputy conductor, and their rehearsal pianist, Elizabeth Cawood. The choir has taken part in many competitions over the years and has been very successful at national and international levels. A large number of concerts are given regularly, many for charitable causes. The choir has performed in St. David's Cathedral, St. David's Hall in Cardiff, the Savoy Hotel and the Albert Hall in London and performances have been given abroad in Brittany, Austria, Holland and at the Cork Festival in Ireland. The choir is presently rehearsing for a visit to the Albert Hall, London, in March next year, to join the 1000 voices of the Welsh Association of Male Voice Choirs. It is also preparing for the Patrons' Concert in Tabernacle Chapel, Whitland on May 4, 2007, as well of course of visits to residential homes for the elderly over the Christmas period. Several new members have joined the choir in the past year, but the average age of members is growing fast and there is a need for younger blood to join the ranks. There is great companionship singing together in harmony as well as visits to various parts of the British Isles. The choir is looking forward to visiting Southern Ireland to join their Celtic cousins in song and so is presently learning to sing Danny Boy arranged specially for male voices by Alwyn Humphreys. There is a welcome to any man to meet the choir on a Thursday evening in the Memorial Hall, Spring Gardens, Whitland, at 7.30 pm. Rehearsals will recommence after the Christmas break on January 11. The CD is now on sale at a price of £10 and is available from any choir member or from the secretary, Mr. Stanley Phillips, on 01994 240053.