Codi Canu

Synopsis

Choirs of 80 rugby fans are selected and practice their material. All five choirs perform in the Millennium Stadium before a home rugby international (in the case of the 2007 series, Wales' last Six Nations game - a victory against England), with the best choir on the day performing the anthem.

In the first series, each choir was affiliated to one of four Celtic League teams. A fifth choir, representing Wales outside the south, was added for 2008.

After a year's break, the series returned but sadly ditched the rugby theme in favour of practices and a generic final contest at St. David's Hall in Cardiff between four district choirs (Rhondda, Tawe, Ogwen and Rhosllanerchrugog) led by well-known but inexperienced conductors (again, we ignore the word 'celebrity' because everyone knows each other in Welsh-speaking Wales).

Trivia

The choir captains:

• 2008 series: Brynmor Williams (Newport-Gwent Dragons), the late Ray Gravell (Llanelli Scarlets), Rowland Phillips (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gareth Edwards (Cardiff Blues) and Robin McBryde (North Wales).
• 2010 series: Delyth Medi & Donna Edwards (Rhondda), Eilir Owen Griffiths & Beti George (Tawe), Mari Pritchard & Neil Williams (Ogwen), Geraint Williams & Stifyn Parri (Rhosllanerchrugog).

The title translates as Raise A Song

Sadly, during filming of the second series, Llanelli Scarlets captain Ray Gravell died from a heart attack whilst on holiday. He was 56 and had also been the Scarlets captain in the first series. (link)

Voiceover Iestyn Garlick is the announcer at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

The 2008 final was broadcast live just before Wales' Grand Slam victory over France and as opposed to the main series, was produced by BBC Cymru Wales. This was partly due to complaints the previous year when the final was only broadcast 24 hours after the winning choir was announced. To make matters worse, S4C had already shown the Newport Gwent Dragons choir singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

The first series was nominated for a Rose D'or television award.

Winners

2007: Newport Gwent Dragons
2008: North Wales
2010: Côr Rhos a’r Cylch (Rhosllanerchrugog)

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