Choral festival rocked streets of Usk over the weekend

The Usk Choral Festival ran from Friday to Sunday, and featured 19 different choirs, with sounds ranging from traditional harmonies, to acapellas and pop-influenced arrangements.

Six concerts were held in four different venues across Usk, with more than 500 singers in attendance, and more than 1000 visitors to the town overall.

A choir from St Woolos Cathedral, Newport performed on Saturday.

Dr Emma Gibbins, the director of music for the Newport Cathedral Choir, said: "It was a tremendous experience. We had a child aged eight and a man in his 80s in our choir, working together for a common goal.

A choir performing at St Mary's Church, in Usk (Picture: Peter Blakemore)

"It was really good for the children's musical education. Some of them had only really been exposed to the choral music in the cathedral, so it was lovely to see such a range of musical styles - I think it's really inspired them.

"We're very keen to build more bridges and links into the community in the future like this. The organisers have done a spectacular job - it was a huge undertaking, and they've made it a wonderful experience."

A performance at the Session House, Usk (Picture: Peter Blakemore)

Drew Morton, a musician, singer and choirmaster is one of the organisers of the event.

Mr Morton said: "It's gone very, very well. Every concert has been packed. We didn't expect to sell out at all - we sold the few tickets we had left on the door for the afternoon concerts, while the evening concerts were sold out entirely!"

"The mayor is delighted with the response. He told me that Usk isn't just the town of flowers, any more. It's now the town of singing as well."

"The festival is based on two principles - it's non-competitive, and it incorporates a wide mix of music.

"We've been trying to bring in local talent from all across south-east Wales, - and we're always looking for more Welsh language choirs, community or youth choirs. WE just want choirs to come and sing."