Awen Supports South Wales’ First ‘Festival of Female Voices’

More than 300 women from 12 female voice choirs across South Wales will gather at Maesteg Town Hall on Saturday 7 March 2026, the eve of International Women’s Day, for the inaugural Festival of Female Voices.

Choirs from Cardiff, the Valleys, Bridgend, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will come together for a day filled with workshops, shared singing and collective connection, culminating in a publicly ticketed Gala Concert in the evening.

The festival - run entirely by volunteers - aims to shine a spotlight on the thriving women’s choir community across Wales, and the profound impact these choirs have on confidence, mental wellbeing and community cohesion.

Supported by Awen Cultural Trust, the festival is a non-profit initiative designed to celebrate and amplify the power of women’s voices, both musically and socially.

Festival Director, Diane Wright said:

“We’ve been thrilled by the overwhelming response to the first ever Festival of Female Voices, which makes it clear that there is a real hunger to celebrate what women can achieve — artistically, collectively and with purpose — when they come together through singing. We honour and respect the proud history of Wales’s male voice choirs, but this festival also asserts that women have their own stories to tell, and their own place at the heart of our choral landscape. We’re especially excited by the outstanding quality of the workshops we’re able to offer, free of charge for every attendee, giving female choirs a powerful opportunity to develop, gain confidence and be inspired together in an action-packed day celebrating everything it means to be part of a female choir.”

Awen’s Chief Executive, Richard Hughes, said:

“This festival promises to be an inspiring celebration of female voices for everyone involved. It truly reflects Awen’s commitment to bringing people together, encouraging creativity, and building vibrant, connected communities. We are delighted to be supporting the festival and hope it becomes a well-supported annual event.”

Throughout the day, participants will take part in:

• Specialist workshops led by expert choir leaders/leading vocal performers.

• Collaborative rehearsals.

• Opportunities for choirs to perform for one another.

• A massed singing finale featuring over 300 voices together.

The evening Gala Concert will showcase individual choir performances alongside the powerful massed voice finale. Tickets are available here.