Welsh choir needs your support for BGT finals
A CHORAL conductor who has been conducting a children’s choir since the shadow years of World War II will this week lead his youth singers with pride as they perform in the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.
Wales’ Angelicus Celtis comprise of schoolgirls aged 12 and up from the ranks of the Hywel Girls’ Choir led by conductor John Hywel Williams, who has nurtured more than 8,000 choristers since founding his children’s choir in 1948.
Angelicus Celtis gave an emotional first performance on Britain’s Got Talent where their unique rendition of Nessun Dorma got the 2,500 audience and the four judges immediately on their feet.
Their performance was an emotional one for their conductor who created the idea of Angelicus Celtis with his wife Jean and son Jeremy, but Jean was killed in a car crash and never heard her beloved Angelicus choristers sing.
“I remember us chatting about Angelicus over the dining table as a family”, said son Jeremy. “The conversation was filled with excitement at the evolving ideas for music and opportunities for a group of schoolgirls.”
Not long afterwards and before the birth of Angelicus Celtis, John and Jean had just given a VE Day Remembrance Concert for veterans with their Hywel Choirs in Llanelli , in May, 2015. Having just enjoyed a standing ovation finale, John and Jean left the concert stage but within feet of the venue they were involved in a car crash. John was badly injured and Jean was sadly killed.
Despite his ongoing injuries, John fought back to be there for his choristers and make Angelicus happen. “We would truly value everyone’s support by voting for us in the semifinals” said 12-year-old Rebecca Lewis of Burry Port, the youngest member of the group.
“It’s the ultimate mark of respect to Mr Williams and his late wife who have between them dedicated more than 100 years of voluntary work in teaching and nurturing thousands of children in singing and music.”
There are no auditions for the choristers which come from the Hywel Girls’ Choir and are just everyday schoolgirls. They were selected on the basis of their commitment and hard work and willingness to learn. As they prepare for the semi-finals, many of the girls are juggling school work and facing school exams.
“I am so very proud of my choristers because they are just everyday school girls and for me that’s their real magic”, said John Hywel Williams.
“To see an everyday pupil work hard and walk off that stage that little taller in life in confidence, pride and sense of achievement is simply priceless.”
After performing Nessun Dorma on Britain’s Got Talent, the 17 young singers aged 12 and up were in emotional shock as the 2,500 strong audience and the four judges immediately gave the schoolgirls a standing ovation.
Simon Cowell said: “I’ve heard this song a lot. But this was, in my opinion, the most beautiful ever. It really touched me. I thought it was sensational.”
The fate of Angelicus in the live semi-finals will be decided by the public.
Angelicus Celtis can be seen at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 1