Spectrum Singers celebrate 25 years with a sold‑out Silver anniversary concert at Penarth Pier Pavilion

Monday, 15 June 2026 17:02

By Contributed Article

Spectrum Singers marked a major milestone on Friday, 12 June with Silver, a sold‑out 25th anniversary concert at Penarth Pier Pavilion that drew a full house.

The evening celebrated a quarter‑century of choral music‑making beside the sea.

The choir performed a shimmering programme spanning contemporary choral works, polyphony, madrigals, close‑harmony jazz, doo‑wap, and barbershop — a musical “hoard of shiny treasures” reflecting the concert’s silver theme. Among the artistic highlights was the world premiere of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 (Movement 2), specially arranged for the choir’s 25th anniversary by Musical Director Benjamin Gait. The piece was performed by pianist Qi Zhang‑Mitchell, accompanied by the choir, and received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Other standout moments included Arvo Pärt’s The Deer’s Cry, Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Stars, and Blake Morgan’s showstopping Shall We Gather at the River, alongside a warmly received set of “golden oldies” from the choir’s early years.

The evening also carried a strong sense of legacy. Family members of Spectrum’s founder, Stuart Edwards, travelled across The Prince of Wales Bridge to attend the concert — including his widow Rachel Edwards, eldest son Tim Edwards, and three grandchildren — joining the choir in paying tribute to his musical vision and the community he helped create.

Pre-concert, the audience was treated to an unexpected moment of maritime theatre as the historic paddle steamer Waverley docked at the pier. Its arrival adding a memorable backdrop to the celebration.

Dressed in black tie and evening gowns, the ensemble performed to an enthusiastic audience who filled the Pavilion with applause and cheers. Former members joined current singers for a special anniversary finale, celebrating the choir’s roots in 2001 and its growth into one of Penarth’s most vibrant vocal groups.

Founder member and Chair Helen Turner said: “Silver was more than a concert — it was a celebration of everyone who has sung with us, supported us, or simply enjoyed our music over the past 25 years. Premiering a new work written for the occasion made the night especially meaningful, and it was moving to reunite with Stuart Edwards’ family as we honoured his legacy.”

Spectrum Singers continue their anniversary celebrations this weekend with an appearance at Cardiff Museum at 2pm on Sunday 21 June for Make Music Day, followed by a performance at Usk Choral Festival 5pm at The Sessions House, Usk on 5 July.