CAMBRENSIS HISTORY

Here's a fairly detailed description of how Cambrensis has developed over the years. If the Lord continues to bless then this history will constantly be expanded. But for now, we hope you'll enjoy reading our story of how the Lord has worked through Christian musicians in South Wales.

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CAMBRENSIS CHOIR AND CAMBRENSIS MINISTRIES

Cambrensis Choir was formed in 1982 after three Baptist Ministers returned from a Baptist World Congress in Toronto and heard choirs from all over the world but none from the "Land of Song." With Kelvin Thomas as the Music Director and fifty or so singers from Baptist Churches in South Wales, the Choir's first performances of Handel's Messiah in Cardiff and Swansea led the way for what has been a quite remarkable passage for Cambrensis which has now expanded from just a choir to "Cambrensis Ministries" which includes an orchestra, youth choir, junior singers, a wind band, Cambrensis Productions Ltd which looks after the business side of affairs and Cambrensis Ministries Trust, a registered charity. Kelvin Thomas' continuing vision ensures an ongoing and thriving organisation.

The choir has travelled extensively - its first trip overseas was to sing at the Baptist World Congress in Los Angeles in 1985. Since then they have sung in churches throughout England and Wales and taken part in Baptist World and European events in Glasgow and Budapest. They have toured in France, Germany, Austria and Holland and visited the Southern U.S. in 1993. This tour led to links with the chorale of Trinity Baptist, San Antonio, Texas, who spent some time in Wales in 1996 and the 2 choirs sang together. In 1995 they had the privilege of ministering in Baptist churches throughout Romania - a life changing experience, and the contacts made there are ongoing, with financial help having gone to a family they met where the husband was undergoing major surgery, and through Cambrensis Ministries Trust we have helped with the purchase of a keyboard for a new Baptist Church at Chiseneu - Cris and contributed towards a new church building in Jimbolia, Timisoara.. In 1997 the choir had a very successful short trip to Guernsey, singing in the Guernsey festival and in 1998 they travelled to Hungary at the invite of the growing Baptist Church at Gyor, to minister to the churches in N.W. Hungary and particularly to sing at Gyor's city hall as part of their summer festival.

The choir has a busy schedule of concerts, evenings of testimony and recordings. They meet every week for rehearsal and fellowship and although they are busy with large projects locally and abroad, are glad to receive invitations from churches to minister with evenings of song and testimony. They are regularly invited to sing for churches at special anniversary events or evangelistic meetings and through the ministry of the choir and of individuals the gospel is presented in word and music. Each year they aim to perform a major classical work, like the Bach Passions, Messiah and Elijah. In 1999 they joined forces with the County of Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Choir and Orchestra, which is also directed by Kelvin Thomas, for a performance of Haydn's "The Creation."

The choir is often used by the BBC Radio Wales and Radio 4. They were once featured in a Radio 4 documentary and were filmed as part of a BBC TV's "Songs of Praise" from Cardiff. They were given the privilege of presenting the first Radio 4 Live Sunday morning Worship of the new millennium, on Jan 2nd 2000. That same day they also lead worship at Wales' official Millennium Celebration which was televised live to the nation.

In 1989 was the first "St David's Praise," in which Cambrensis invited singers from churches throughout South Wales to join them and the Cambrensis Orchestra, with special guests, for an evening of celebration with music of various kinds. The success of this led to further such events not only in Cardiff but then in Swansea and "Hafren Praise" in Newtown, Mid Wales. Cambrensis' aims of high quality musicianship coupled with the desire to exalt the name of the Lord and share the gospel through their ministry has had a great impact in South Wales Churches. Each year they produce a songbook for these praise events which include some classical pieces but also many of their own arrangements of hymns and modern worship songs which have become a useful resource for church choirs and worship groups. The most recent was the 10th St David's Praise which was as popular as ever and the music from this, as other events, is being used in churches across South Wales and beyond. Next year a Christmas event in St David's Hall is planned which will replace the extremely popular Cambrensis Family event which has been held for the past five years or so at Albany Rd Baptist Church.

Cambrensis have many cassettes and CD's; an album of their own hymn arrangements with choir and orchestra,"How Great Thou Art," was released by Kingsway in 1995 and had excellent reviews. An album of worship songs, "Lamb of God," is also available on CD and cassette as is an earlier album "In the Stillness," and live St David's Praise cassettes can be purchased from Cambrensis Productions Ltd, 21 Windsor Rd, Porthcawl CF36 3LR. Over the past few years, the "Cambrensis Family" has grown as new groups have been formed as part of "Cambrensis Ministries."

The orchestra, which was formed originally to accompany the choir's classical works is made of mainly of Christian professional musicians and students, ranges from a pocket-sized string quartet for foreign tours to a 60 piece orchestra for events like St David's Praise. At the heart of the orchestra are a number of professional players who are continually seeking ways to use their gifts in Christian ministry. The orchestra has staged a number of chamber concerts.

The Cambrats! (Cambrensis Junior singers) grew out of a group of children who travelled to the USA with the choir in 1993 and now 30 or so children aged 6-14 have their own special ministry. They sing at events with the other Cambrensis groups but are often invited to churches to give evenings of music and praise. Their lively and enthusiastic performances of modern Christian songs adds to their enjoyment and that of their audiences. They appeared in the St David's Hall in 1995 as part of a charity concert and again as guests in St David's Praise '97 and '99. The aspect of friendship and fun is also important to the Cambrats and are a vital part of the Cambrensis family, often joining in concerts and events with the main choir especially at Christmas and Easter time. The Cambrats are directed by Anne Brown who is also the administrator of Cambrensis Ministries and the choir's assistant MD.

The Youth Choir attracted over 40 teenagers and was used many evangelistic events, performed some musicals and was a focus for fellowship. It has been suspended for the moment but Cambrensis' interest in youth has continued through the Cambrensis Youth Project. This started with a workshop day for young musicians led by Noel Richards and his band. This led to a number of events organised by the teenagers and sponsored by Cambrensis Ministries, which encouraged local Christian bands, drama groups etc. to stage evenings for young Christians and their friends. This is still being developed and we look forward to more such events.

The wind band, conducted by David Elliot, meets regularly and caters for younger players and some very enthusiastic adults who enjoy the opportunity to play in this Christian context. Opportunities have availed themselves which suit this kind of group, for example open air playing at a church's Open Day and in a village open days near Evesham.

A major development has been the formation of Cambrensis Ministries Trust, a registered charity which enables us to help projects and individuals in their music ministry both at home and abroad. Sometimes special offerings are taken at events for specific needs and other money is given from the general fund. The Ministries trust is supported primarily from a percentage of the annual subscriptions given by members but also invites donations and standing orders from friends and supporters of the work. It also enables the work of Cambrensis Ministries to expand and develop in whatever ways we feel the Lord is leading us.

Over the years it has been our privilege to see choir members meet and marry and also to see a number go to serve the Lord in this country and overseas. We have ex members serving with missionary societies in France and in Nepal and two of our members are currently working for a year in London, one in a church and one with the London City Mission where she is using her singing as part of her ministry. Others have entered Bible College and are in full time ministry in this country.. Cambrensis has offered friendship and fellowship for Christians, particularly those coming from small churches where there are few, if any, others of the same age. Our youth and children's groups are a great encouragement to us as we see new generations coming up to continue what we hope will be a fruitful ministry for Cambrensis for many years to come.

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