The talented gents of Neath Male Voice Choir have been heard by thousands of people across south Wales and the world in packed venues.
But, sadly, their voices may be quietened - unless they can find a new musical director and increase their membership post-pandemic.
Rehearsals that were once bursting at the seams with old and new members alike have changed since the 2020 lockdown with falling numbers, and even those that are still in the choir sometimes face health problems and aren't able to attend.
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It has left the future of the choir, believed to be the largest in Neath, "precarious" and members are desperate not to see it have to fold.
Pre-pandemic, the choir had some 60 choristers from across Neath and the wider region and they'd all come together twice per week to rehearse and socialise.
Rehearsals were seen by many as the highlight of their week and an opportunity to spend time with like-minded people who would quickly become friends.
But the Covid lockdown forced rehearsals to go on hiatus and the choir had to take an extended interval.
While they are now back in action, rehearsing once per week in a local hall, the committee has seen membership numbers steadily decline over the past few years - thought to be due to the emergence of other activities and community groups in Neath - and the musical director retired earlier this year.
So Neath Male Voice Choir are now appealing for someone with musical knowledge or experience of running a choir to contact them and become their new director - and they're also on the hunt for new members of any age to join their choir - to help it survive 2022 and beyond.
Neath Male Voice Choir formed in 1978 as the Melyncryddan Male Voice Choir and were renamed Neath Male Voice Choir in 2000.
Publicity officer for the choir and long-term member, Russell Thatcher, said he believed numbers had declined over the years as there were far more activities and groups for gentlemen to join than ever before, meaning male voice choirs were sometimes forgotten about.
He said: "We have been the largest choir in Neath for many years totalling some 60 choristers in the past, we are now down to around 20 ageing singers.
"We are not alone, male voice choirs everywhere suffer in a similar way for whatever reason - in years past there were less distractions presumably and singing together was popular, as was team sports to use as an analogy. [But we're in need of new members] and we have the additional problem of recruiting a new musical director, so the future is precarious."
He continued: "We've been the main choir in the area for several years but we need new choristers - and a new musical director - to enable it to continue in the New Year. [It's] a long established choir having contributed greatly to the musical life of Neath for many years."
While low in numbers, the choir are not low on opportunities or atmosphere.
"The choir is very social, people come along for the social atmosphere," Russell added. "People like to get together. We always practice in a licensed premises so people can have a drink afterwards!
"We perform locally and across Wales, England and Scotland - and we've been all over the world, we have regular trips!"
Appealing for any male interested in joining the choir to contact them, he said: "Singing in the choir is a marvelling thing for your wellbeing and Neath Male Voice Choir is very social. Everyone can sing, people just need to take the plunge [and join]!"
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How are other choirs in Wales faring during the pandemic?
There are dozens of male voice choirs across Wales and many are actively recruiting new members.
In Swansea, both Gwalia Singes and Morriston Orpheus Choir are looking for new blood.
The committee of Morriston Orpheus Choir said: "We are always actively recruiting for members, but luckily haven't lost any during Covid and the lockdowns. We're currently rehearsing twice a week with a blended system of online and in-person to allow for the current rules on indoor gatherings, but have concerts booked in March.."
Gwalia Singers are also recruiting. Their secretary, Alan Clewett, said: "We're a choir of more than 50, so restrictions meant we had to split rehearsals into two groups. We do have some concerts booked but there's fewer than before the pandemic. Christmas was a bit spoilt, we used to have six ticketed concerts each Christmas, but last year we only performed at one. It was in aid of Maggie's [cancer support charity]."
Alan continued: "A few members have passed away since early pandemic, and lots of people are cautious at the moment."
Whilst some people took a break from attending rehearsals amid the pandemic, most people had returned to in-person rehearsals now, the committee member said.
"We are actively recruiting for new members and also taking new bookings for weddings and events," he added.
Pontarddulais Choir are also recruiting.
Publicity officer Gareth Davies said: "We started back last September after 18 months away, four or five individuals didn't come back due to ill health [but most people returned eventually]. We had 55 members our first week back, this grew to 75 by December.
"During the pandemic we had six new members, in their 40s. We're one of the best choirs nationally and have a good reputation [so that helped us grow our choir].
"We're currently meeting once per week until February or March and then we want to increase this so we have more rehearsal time for our concerts. We are accepting new members."
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