Côr Eifionydd

Côr Eifionydd was formed in January 1986 to compete in the 1987 National Eisteddfod at Porthmadog. Since then many first prizes have been awarded to the choir in the National Eisteddfod, the most recent of which was in 1999 in Anglesey.  Over the years the choir has been very supportive of the smaller local eisteddfodau, and have held concerts towards local charities.  

Côr Eifionydd also travel around Wales and beyond.  They have competed, and have been succesful many times in the Cardigan Festival, and last year the choir made quite a name for themselves by winning two of the major competitions - the 'rural' choir competition and the mixed choir competition, before going on to compete and win in the 'Choir of Choirs' competition.  

The choir have travelled abroad also. Some years ago the choir went on tour to Vienna,  Austria, and last year the choir sang in an International Choral Festival in Paris.  The choir are planning to visit the Segovia region of Spain this autumn.

The choir membership has changed over the years, but the numbers have consistenly remained at about 40 members. Although, the choir meet in Cricieth every Monday evening from 7:30pm to 9:00pm the members come from every part of Eifionydd, and some from further afield.

During its brief existence the choir has had numerous successes, both local and National, and has appeared on television and been heard on the radio on many occasions. During the Summer of 1990 the choir released its first cassette - a recording which received acclaim from a wide audience. The choir has a wide repertoire - including choruses from opera and oratorio, traditional Welsh folk songs and modern lighter music by contemporary composers.

Pat Jones – Conductor

Originally from Newcastle Emlyn in Dyfed Pat Jones was educated at Ysgol y Preseli and at The Royal College of Music in London. After a period of working in London she returned to Dyfed to teach piano at Trinity College, Carmarthen. During this time she accompanied, and later conducted, the Male Voice Choir at Whitland.  Following her marriage to Roger, a local vet, she moved to Chwilog in Eifionydd and they have two children.  Music plays an important part in Pat's life - in her everyday work as a tutor in the William Mathias Music Centre, and she is also active in her spare time, conducting youth choirs in the area.

Pat has been the conductor of Côr Eifionydd since its formation in 1986.

Originally from Harlech, Ann Jones moved to Porthmadog after her marriage to another member of the Choir, Treflyn. However Ann still has a connection with her roots as she is the headteacher at Dyffryn Ardudwy primary school. Ann has been accompanist to a number of choirs - she accompanied Côr Meibion Ardudwy on their tour of Denmark in 1982 and, until recently, was accompanist to Côr Lleisiau'r Gest.