One band that certainly managed to play to a huge audience on Christmas Day this year was Lewis Merthyr, who appeared on prime time national television on a S4C programme with the legendary international baritone soloist Sir Bryn Terfel.
Filmed on location at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, now called the Rhondda Heritage Park, they appeared in a sequence featuring a performance of Arwel Hughes' magnificent setting of 'Cwm Rhondda'.
Special arrangement
The arrangement for brass was specially transcribed for the band and soloist by Welsh composer Christopher Painter, and also featured a special 'Amen' ending written by the composer's son, the famous orchestral conductor Dr. Owain Arwel Hughes CBE.
Filmed on location at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, now called the Rhondda Heritage Park, they appeared in a sequence featuring a performance of Arwel Hughes' magnificent setting of 'Cwm Rhondda'4BR
Excellent year
The programme was broadcast at 9.00pm on Christmas Day and will now be available to view for a further 30 days online.
The broadcast closed an excellent year for Lewis-Merthyr — one that also saw them win the Welsh League First Section Championship.
