7 July 2025

The S4C choral series Côr Cymru, a competition which started in 2003, is coming to an end.    Côr Cymru's intention since the beginning was to raise and maintain Welsh choral standards.  The competition has done that and much more.  Throughout the years the competition, which was held every other year, has attracted new choirs, choirs from outside Wales and from non-Welsh speaking areas, and choirs that would not normally compete in competitions. There are choirs that have been specially formed for Côr Cymru and members from choirs who have been inspired to form and conduct their own new choirs.

Côr Cymru has introduced audiences to the world of Welsh choirs, including also the social, fun and wellbeing aspects of being in a choir as we get to know the different choirs and their characters on and off the stage.

Since the start of the competition Côr Cymru has prioritized fairness and raising and maintaining quality through the selection of specialist judging panels who offer valuable feedback to the choirs -  adjudicators such as the distinguished orchestral conductor Vasily Petrenko, the popular organist and presenter Anna Lapwood and the conductor and Gospel singing expert Karen Gibson.  Comments from highly respected adjudicators who are bowled over by the standard of the choral performances are a source of pride for everyone involved in the competition, and this feedback is greatly appreciated by the  conductors.

Côr Cymru has helped bring international recognition for Welsh choirs including seeing the winning choirs representing Wales twice in the Eurovision Choir competition.  Côr Cymru won the Bafta Cymru award for the best Music and Entertainment Programme in 2013 and the Celtic Media Festival award in the entertainment category in 2023. 

Rondo Media said:

‘We are extremely proud of Côr Cymru and what it has achieved by contributing to the growth, quality and popularity of choral singing in Wales.  A sincere thanks to everyone who has competed and contributed so much over the years - to the organizers and production team, to our wonderful presenters, to the broadcaster S4C and to the Arts Centre in Aberystwyth which has been an extremely supportive home to the competition since its very start.  But most of all the thanks go to the choirs who have entertained and enthralled us with their performances, recognizing also of course their inspiring leaders, talented accompanists and enthusiastic supporters.'

S4C said:

'Côr Cymru has been the cornerstone of choral singing on the channel since it was established over twenty years ago. We are extremely proud of what it has achieved over the years - giving countless opportunities for choirs to compete and come together and to be a catalyst to raise the standard of our choral singing in Wales. The legacy of the series can now be seen in the numbers of choirs that compete and perform on the eisteddfodau stages – from the local to the national, and in concert halls throughout the country.

'We would like to thank everyone who has been part of the series over the years - especially the production company Rondo Media and series producers Gwawr Owen and Hefin Owen – who have nurtured and looked after the competition so carefully. But our biggest thanks go to all the choirs, conductors and competitors for their passion and efforts. We look forward to continuing to enjoy their performances and to support them by giving them a stage across our platforms in all our programmes from the various eisteddfodau and festivals.’