Victoria Welsh Choir

Grand Annual St David's Day Concert

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant

3rd March 2012: "Very talented artists" "The 'Amens' gave me goose bumps." "As good as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" "I don’t feel you can improve on perfection."

A Multilingual Triumph

Patrons are used to hearing plenty of Welsh tunes at our annual St David’s Day concert but this year, thanks to Northern Territory entertainers Ted Egan and his Welsh wife Nerys Evans, a few extra languages were thrown into the mix.

Visiting conductor from Wales, Ilid Anne Jones, delighted the audience with her insights into a number of the classic tunes from the Welsh male voice choir canon like Gwahoddiad, Aberystwyth and Blaenwern.  Her sensitive and spirited conducting brought out the best from the choir, causing the Deputy Musical Director’s hair to stand on end! Some powerful amens echoed around the Robert Blackwood Hall impressing audience and choir alike. The choir was equally at home with wonderfully controlled  quiet a capella singing in Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi and Myfanwy.

Nerys gave everyone a lesson in penillion singing where the vocalist sings one tune against a different tune on the harp. Faleiry’s smaller harp also came into action with the celebrated Huw Jones on his concert harp in a bracket called Hwyl Telyn (Harp Fun).

Ted Egan entertained the audience with his distinctive unaccompanied ballads, this time without his customary empty beer carton.

In closing the first half, he and Nerys, along with Ilid (left) and her husband Dewi (who sang in the choir bass section all evening), featured in a rousing new arrangement of When The Saints Go Marching In.

After another Welsh bracket, the harp bracket and a couple of songs from Ted and Nerys, the much anticipated world première of Cyswllt (Connection) was launched by Ted speaking about the importance of keeping languages alive, as has been proved particularly by Welsh and Hebrew in recent times. Welsh verses were interspersed by Tiwi, Nganyatjara and a verse sung a capella in Maori by three Maori entertainers (they also sung a couple of numbers by themselves which stunned the audience with their wonderful harmonies).

In keeping with the multilingual theme, Ted then sang the first verse of the Australian National Anthem in Luritja before the choir and audience joined in in English.

As the choir and audience remained standing, Nerys and Ilid proudly sang the Welsh Anthem with the choir to top out this incredible concert.

Audience feedback included:

• We have always enjoyed the concerts. Whilst not being Welsh speaking the varied programs always contain music that is easily recognized and appreciated. Keep up the good work.
• The choir was excellent and Ilid drew some exquisitely evocative, beautiful renditions of old favourites – some tear jerkers. 
• I don’t feel you can improve on perfection.
• I loved the way Ilid got the very best out of the choir. The “Amens” gave me goose bumps. Huw Jones – what can you say, an absolute legend. (Joan)
• I was very pleased to return to Robert Blackwood Hall as it is much easier to access and for parking. I did love the conductor and also the level of Welsh spoken, as a St. David’s Day concert I feel there should be emphasis on the language, even though I understand very little. I always love seeing Huw Jones and enjoyed the variety of culture given by Ted and Nerys.
• We always look forward to the St. David’s Day concert and this one was most enjoyable as usual.
• Good balance of material from other cultures.
• Audience as usual very appreciative and the feelings of especial friendliness was maintained. Delightful concert, look forward to the next concert. (new audience member)
• Drew Hopkins compered very well.
• Really appreciate the background stories to the songs. It increased my enjoyment and sensitivity. I enjoyed Ted Egan and his stories about songs and the wide world song he has created.
• Thank you for a warm and entertaining evening. Guest artists were professional but still relaxed.
• Ilid Jones was excellent, as was the choir. Well done again.
• The harp duet was quite a surprise and very enjoyable.
• I loved every minute.
• Prefer Monash as parking is available, seats are comfortable and sound is high quality.
• Wonderful evening and very talented performers. Well done. It’s a joy to see a choir who clearly enjoy what they do so much!
• As good as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

Comments suggesting improvements were equally appreciated and will help us to keep getting better. 

Cymanfa Ganu

4th March 2012, St Michael's Collins St

The day after our annual St David's Day Concert, Victoria Welsh joined with other local Welsh choirs to participate in the annual St David's Day Cymanfa Ganu (hymn festival) organised by the Melbourne Welsh Church, held at St Michael's Church in Collins St and led by Ilid Jones, the visiting conductor from Wales, using the new baton we had given her the previous day.  The programme consisted of:

• Eleven well-known (and not-so-well-known) hymns sung lustily in 4-part harmony, in both English and Welsh, by the whole congregation
• Two items (Benedictus and Tydi A Roddaist) sung by the male choirs
• Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn (Watching the White Wheat), sung by the Geelong Welsh Ladies' Choir
• Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) sung by all 4 choirs, with trumpet solo by Sion Boomsma
• Harp solos by the inimitable Huw Jones, former harpist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The congregation, which came close to filling the large church, left feeling they had well and truly done justice to this traditional Welsh celebration.

Crown Casino - Côr Bach

14th March 2012

On 14th March Côr Bach provided the musical entertainment at a function held by an AFL club at Crown Casino.

Lockington

1st April 2012

On 1st April we returned to the wonderful welcoming music-lovers of Lockington who provided us with customary country hospitality before and after the show.

An opening bracket of some well-known Welsh tunes culminated in the enthusiastic audience getting into the spirit of the concert with Bread of Heaven.

Choristers and patrons alike got further into the swing of things with our 60s medley, pacemakers and all, with input from soloists Roger Bartlett, Drew Hopkins and Ed Hughes. The choir further showcased the depth of talent in its ranks with Barry McMahon singing Stout-hearted Men and Graeme Sanderson wielding the truncheon in When A Felon’s Not Engaged. Compère Bob Ash closed out the first half with a tremendous Working Man which drew sustained applause and whetted the audience’s appetite for what was to come.

The second half started with choruses from Il Trovatore followed by a bravura performance from the choir and Drew Hopkins of the Septet from The Merry Widow.  The audience then heartily joined in with the final choruses from a new arrangement of When The Saints which is one of the songs to be sung in the Choir of the World concert at London’s Festival Hall on 7 July.

The Bendigo Balladeers (Rob and Merle Hopman, Ken Simpson and Wayne Blandford) widened the choir’s range with some rousing bush ballads in both halves. Roger Bartlett entertained with a Beatles ballad and a wonderfully controlled Maria from West Side Story. He was also the soloist in the dramatic Les Mis medley which closed the show to much acclaim.  

Marina Prior

29th April 2012 at Robert Blackwood Hall: "tingles up and down the spine"

Marina Prior certainly lived up to her reputation as Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre by totally enchanting and thrilling patrons at the Robert Blackwood Hall on Sunday 29 April.

The choir opened the concert with four favourites from the Welsh choral repertoire, including a magnificent a capella rendition of Myfanwy which had the audience reaching for the tissues, for all the right reasons.

Marina’s first bracket showcased her beautiful voice and sensitivity with Love Changes Everything, Someone to Watch,'S Wonderful and a lovely Irish Medley. She was accompanied by her very talented pianist David Cameron.

She then sang the solo part with the choir in the lilting Danny Boy and in a special arrangement of All Through the Night.

The choir closed out the first half with a spirited performance of a new version of When the Saints Go Marching In which is one of the ensemble pieces at the World Choir event in London in July. Marina generously came in at the end to lead the audience with the final choruses.

The second half opened with two choruses from Il Trovatore, one in Welsh and the other in the original Italian, complete with anvil and blacksmith.

Soloist Drew Hopkins and the choir followed this with a very lively performance of Cherchez La Femme, thus adding - only just- the fourth language of the afternoon.

Marina then came on in another beautiful dress and sang Memory, Both Sides Now and celebrated Rogers & Hammerstein in a medley of favourite tunes. Following this Marina reprised one of her stage parts in our Les Mis medley, with a beautifully sensitive Castle on a Cloud. She was joined by Roger Barlett with Bring Him Home.

As a finale, Marina and Graham Warner combined on a modern arrangement of Waltzing Matilda which segued into the Welsh National Anthem and rousing approbation from the audience which had witnessed by all accounts one of the best concerts the choir has ever presented.

Throughout the concert, from the opening march of the Men of Harlech to the streets of Paris in Les Mis, we were indeed fortunate to have master drummer Jeremy Hopkins, sensitively complementing the various musical styles.

Many of the comments we collected verbally and in writing confirmed the brilliance of Marina and the overall high quality of the whole concert. One of the letters of appreciation we received is reproduced here:-

Dear Gordon,

I'm writing to congratulate the Victoria Welsh Choir for the wonderful concert last Sunday afternoon.

I have been to quite a few of your concerts in past years, as has my friend, who was with me. I felt the singing of the choir was the best I had heard, and caused quite a few tingles up and down the spine.

The overall presentation was excellent with all the artists complementing each other, the standard of the singing, the two brilliant pianists and the drummer, the ladies' gowns and the men's snazzy red bow ties.

But last of all, what can you say about Marina Prior? A most gifted artist, what pleasure she gives,  how lucky are we.

Many, many thanks to all involved in a wonderful afternoon's entertainment.

Yours sincerely, Margaret

Vale Thomas Jones

30th April 2012

On April 30th Victoria Welsh led the singing at the funeral of Welshman Thomas Jones in the chapel of John Allison Monkhouse funeral directors in Mornington.

Brimbank Anglican Church - Côr Bach

26th May 2012

On 20th May our Côr Bach (small choir) returned to Brimbank Anglican Church after three years.  The concert featured young Victoria Welsh scholar mezzo soprano Sarah Lynn, who sang Stormy Weather, Popular from Wicked, and a medley containing I Don't Know How To Love Him, On My Own and Don't Cry For Me Argentina, which were all very well received. Sarah also joined the choir in singing the traditional Welsh lullaby Suo Gân and I Dreamed A Dream from Les Mis. Choir soloists were Roger Bartlett, Graeme Sanderson, Drew Hopkins, Ed Hughes and Barry McMahon. 

Beaumaris

3rd June 2012: "music for the heart and soul" "inspirational" "moved me to tears"

Beaumaris in Melbourne is named after a town on the island of Anglesey in North Wales - which, incidentally, has one of the most magnificent castles to be found anywhere.  So Victoria Welsh Choir's first ever performance in Beaumaris on 3rd June was long overdue! 

The concert opened with some Welsh favourites, then soprano Melinda Ash led the choir in a special arrangement of All Through the Night. Other choir numbers included Myfanwy, Anvil Chorus and an arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In which the choir will sing at the big 500 male voices July 7 concert in London as part of the Bryn Terfel Brynfest and a cultural precursor to the Olympic Games.

Other soloists in the first half were Rhonda Yates (The Doll Aria), Roger Bartlett (The Music of the Night) and Graeme Sanderson (Working Man). Rhonda and Melinda also sang a delightful duet.

Soloists in the second half were Rhonda, Drew Hopkins (who also compèred), Melinda, Roger and Graham Warner. The wonderful sopranos delighted the audience with a superb Flower Duet from Lakmé.

The extremely appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed the quality of the afternoon’s musical smorgasbord and was happy to lend their own voices in Cwm Rhondda and When the Saints.

Comments from the capacity audience included:

• Loved the choice of beautiful melodies sung with beautiful harmony, especially the Welsh ones and musicals. Loved joining in the singing with the audience.  Maija.
• Good music, very well performed. Very enjoyable.  Geoffrey.
• Absolutely wonderful - a magical afternoon - thank you all so much. Inspirational!!  Maggie.
• Great mix of serious and light-hearted showing the depth of your repertoire - well done. Also lovely to hear the multi-part pieces. Also wonderful to encourage the audience to join in singing. Always a good positive. Loved the commentary/intro to the pieces.  Jane.
• Marvellous performance from the choir and the soloists.  Lorraine.
• Fantastic, enjoyed every minute.  Ron.
• Lovely selection, p0leaseant and friendly rapport with audience. Lyn. 
• I feel you are above criticism! Fantastic.  Ian.
• A great program - mix of traditional and modern plus excellent soloists. Especially the finale!  Roy.
• A most wonderful performance - music for the heart and soul. The ending of the afternoon - the last number - brought tears - my daughter, husband and self were all full of such emotion. Thank you all so much.  Cecilia, Lloyd, Kerryn.
• We thought the concert was wonderful, please advertise your concerts more widely. We attended a concert recently in Betws-y-Coed in the church you will be singing in. It is a lovely village and church. Good luck.  Lisa.
• An outstanding choir - Men of Harlech moved me to tears. Good wishes for your tour.  Ruth.
• Sir Thomas Beecham said you not only hear music but feel it. We certainly felt the emotions of the music today. We wish you all the best in London and the future. Congratulations. Kerryn, Lloyd and Cecilia. 

St Asaph Cathedral

The first half comprised the Trelawnyd Choir with some brilliant choral singing, followed by a local children’s choir.  Vic Welsh took over after interval, and presented a mini concert including numbers featuring chorister soloists. In addition, the packed Cathedral was thrilled by our two sopranos, Rhonda Yates and Melanie Ash.

The very appreciative audience made us feel very welcome, as did the Trelawnyd Choir with their pre-concert hospitality and, it must be admitted, there was a bit more singing in a local hostelry afterwards.

Betws-Y-Coed

1st July 2012

For the second concert of our tour Victoria Welsh opened the annual Betws-Y-Coed Choir Festival at Eglwys Santes Fair / St Mary's Church in Betws-Y-Coed in Conwy County, North Wales on 1st July 2012. Their Sunday night concert season goes through until mid-September and caters for locals and the many tourists who are attracted to the town throughout the warmer months.

Some of the visitors were initially rather bemused by the opening numbers but our extremely varied full concert program, with superb individual contributions from choristers and sopranos alike, warmed up the audience and the end result was another wonderfully satisfying production. Some of them even joined us in a nearby pub for the customary ‘afterglow’.

Afterwards we received the following message from the organisers:

"On behalf of all at St. Mary's we want to thank you for coming to perform at St. Mary's Church last Sunday evening.

It was a superb evening, and I know that I speak for everyone in saying that we all thoroughly enjoyed the concert.

Please pass our sincere thanks to all members of Victoria Welsh Male Choir and I trust that the concerts in Aston and at the Royal Festival Hall were equally well received.

Very best wishes and repeated thanks.

Diolch yn fawr!

Jim Boughton, on behalf of St. Mary's church  Betws-y-Coed"

Aston, Oxfordshire

4th July 2012

16th September 2012

We were delighted to be asked to share a concert entitled "Sing into Spring" with the Geelong Ladies on September 16th on their home ground at the Wesley Uniting Church.

VicWelsh started the concert with some Welsh favourites then presented two new works – Pemulwuy and Our Cities Face The Sea – which we had learned as part of the Australasian choirs’ performance at the Choir of the World mega-concert in London in early July.

The ladies continued with a selection including the upbeat Rhythm of Life and the beautiful Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn. The first half closed with both choirs joining together on The Rose and the uplifting Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) complete with a young local trumpeter.

The ladies recommenced with a bracket including You Raise Me Up and the lullaby Suo Gân. VicWelsh sang Myfanwy a capella then, by way of complete contrast, Drew Hopkins and John Hales led the choir with a spirited performance of Cherchez La Femme (the irony of which was not lost on our hosts!).

Local soprano Emma Lamb featured in the Les Mis medley before the choirs combined on I Am Australian. The finale was a special arrangement of Waltzing Matilda with soloists Drew Hopkins and Graham Warner (who also shared the compering duties). It was a wonderful experience to sing with such a professional ladies choir and the capacity audience held nothing back at the end in showing its appreciation of a wonderfully wide-ranging concert.

Arilla - Côr Bach

22nd September 2012

This assignment at Arilla Retirement Village seemed straightforward enough.  It was a double-header - two 1-hour concerts separated by a lunch break.  However, only 4 hours before the start, disaster struck - Lorna our accompanist was unavoidably unavailable.  Miraculously we found a replacement, Patrice Marshall, who arrived less than an hour before the start. She had never seen our repertoire, so in our short rehearsal we "topped and tailed" the items programmed for the first hour and hoped for the best.

The first concert started with Men of Harlech, Cwm Rhondda, Amazing Grace and Stout-hearted Men (soloist Barry McMahon). Then a break for Patrice as Faleiry accompanied us on her harp in Lisa Lan. Next, from the Pirates of Penzance, Graeme Sanderson lamented a Policeman's Lot and we all stole upon our prey With Catlike Tread.  After Myfanwy a cappella (Patrice's second break) Graeme led us in Working Man. Finally came an extended non-stop medley of songs from the Sixties originally sung by Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Hollies, Gerry Marsden, The Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Crystals, which kept Patrice at full stretch. Soloists were Roger Bartlett, Drew Hopkins and Graham Warner.

We made it!  The audience, who were blissfully unaware of our trials and tribulations, and had sung along vociferously when called upon, were unstinting in their applause, and several singled Patrice out for praise.  We wound down, as often, with Sunset Poem.

The second concert an hour later had been programmed as an almost entirely different concert, but there was no opportunity to rehearse it with Patrice. Solution: Wing it with some of the programmed items - Some Enchanted Evening and Nothing Like a Dame (solo John Hales) from South Pacific, Si Hei Lwli Mabi (a cappella) and You'll Never Walk Alone - and complement these with encores from the first concert - particularly the Sixties medley which had gone down so well. The result, in short, was another great success.

So the day started as business as usual, turned into a roller-coaster, and ended as a triumph for Patrice, our directors Faleiry and Lyn's professionalism and the way they have trained us.

St Edwards Blackburn

30 September 2012: "the whole concert shone" "choir exudes warmth" "drama, emotion, fun" "something for all"

The choir rehearses here every Monday and Wednesday and so this concert, like the previous one in 2010, was both a thank you to the church and the neighbours as well as a fund-raiser for the church.

As usual we started off with a selection of Welsh favourites before presenting two numbers from musicals and two new tunes which we had sung as part of the Australasian contingent at the World Choir concert in London in early July. Soloists in the first half were both basses - Barry McMahon with Stout-Hearted Men and Graeme Sanderson with Working Man. The audience had already limbered up with some singing in the first bracket but they really came through with gusto on When The Saints Go Marching In.

After interval we tackled a very new song in the repertoire – the rousing Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) followed by an a capella version of Myfanwy and the contrasting Anvil Chorus, complete with anvil and blacksmith.

Compère Drew Hopkins led a spirited Cherchez La Femme along with John Hales.  Having found the lady we stepped back into our youth with a 60s medley which again featured Drew on the automotive Little Deuce Coupe and Roger Bartlett on the lilting Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey.

Temporary pianist Patrice Marshall excelled in the difficult task of accompanying the choir in many numbers for only the second time, and the choir and audience alike showed their appreciation for all her hard work.

In the familiar atmosphere of our rehearsal hall, choristers and audience very much enjoyed the relaxed but wide-ranging concert and, as one lady said, “You have made a lot of people very happy this afternoon.”  Other feedback follows:

• What a delightful concert ... so much variety but with some solid traditional numbers as well.  I love your props & how you showcase certain singers. These highlights made the whole concert shine!   Sue
• Terrific concert.   I loved the mix of music - something for all.   Val
• Excellent. The choir exudes warmth and obviously enjoys producing the music.   Val
• A wonderful programme this afternoon. An excellent selection of items - drama, emotion, fun etc. Excellent harmony. Thank you!   Marion
• The commentary and history given about each piece is fantastic, it makes the songs have more meaning.  Thank you!   Kerryn
• Not enough words to say how great thou art! Wonderful +++   Pauline
• The Victoria Welsh Choir are always top entertainment.  Jim C.
• Once again a most enjoyable concert.  Graeme Sanderson sang a great solo - worthy of Jack Clarke.   Bruce
• Wonderful selection, wonderful sound, thoroughly enjoyable. Good luck.   Claire, Seville 3139
• Excellent concert. Brilliant choir and can't wait till next year.   Shirley
• I thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful singing. You should be very proud of your choir.   Brenda
• Most enjoyable concert. Lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.   Bernadette
• Excellent as usual.   Nita
• So very enjoyable!   Liz
• Wonderful. Thank you so much. Also heard the choir at the Essendon Baptist Concert.  Joan
• A delight in our Community.  Will never forget the nights we have been your "groupies" - live two houses away!   Margaret

Vale Ian Beckwith

12 October 2012

The choir attended and led the singing at Ian’s thanksgiving service at Bendigo’s St Andrew’s Uniting Church on 12 October 2012, the Cathedral’s Dean the Very Reverend John Roundhill officiating.

Faleiry conducted and Elizabeth Paton played the organ throughout the service. Our first hymn was Cwm Rhondda and this was followed by a witty and revealing tribute by Dr Andrew Harvey.  

We learned that Ian (1935–2012) had been an enthusiastic musician and member of a barber-shop quartet in his younger days and this background led to him joining our choir as a founding member of the Bendigo chapter. Annette and Ian were great dancers also and they performed together in various amateur productions. We also learned (and the clue was on the cover of the handsomely produced service booklet) that Ian was a skilled silversmith and jewellery maker.

We also led the large congregation in The Lord’s My Shepherd sung to Crimond and performed Aberystwyth and Myfanwy while the visual presentation of Ian’s life was being projected.

After prayers everybody sang Amazing Grace. The end of the service for this quietly spoken choir stalwart was particularly moving for everyone as we surrounded the congregation to sing Sunset Poem. After the final oohs had poignantly died away the choristers turned and moved outside to form a guard of honour to farewell our old friend and colleague.

Uniting Church Ballarat

14 October 2012

On Sunday 14th October we returned to the Uniting Church in Lydiard St, Ballarat, where we have fond memories of our previous visits in 2008 and 2010.

The concert started off with a bracket of Welsh favourites and the opportunity for the audience to contribute to the singing with Cwm Rhondda. They also hugely enjoyed getting into the swing of things with a new arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In.

Bendigo chorister Rob Hopman made a fine debut as compère, assisted by Drew Hopkins.

We also performed our other two new World Choir items – Our Cities Face the Sea and Pemulwuy. Soloists were Barry McMahon in Stout-hearted Men and Graeme Sanderson in Working Man, both basses receiving warm applause.

After interval the choir presented another new tune Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) but this time without a trumpet. In response to a request from the audience and as a further tribute to one of our Bendigo choristers who passed away last week, the choir led the audience in The Lord’s My Shepherd sung to the tune of Crimond.

Tenor Drew Hopkins enjoyed himself with Roger Bartlett and others in Cherchez La Femme, thankfully managing to escape any claims of misogyny. Versatile Drew was also in great form in the 60s medley with Little Deuce Coupe and Roger added more nostalgia for our lost youth in Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey. He later went back even further in time, sensitively combining with Jonathan Melland in the special arrangement of Waltzing Matilda which proved to be a fitting finale

With a Sunset Poem farewell we exited to great applause and were then treated to an excellent afternoon tea. Another wonderful Sunday afternoon concert in a beautiful church.

Remembrance Day Service

Springvale War Cemetery, 11th November 2012

On the eleventh day of the eleventh month we led the singing at the RSL State Branch Remembrance Day Service at Springvale War Cemetery.

Eley Park Blackburn South

25 November 2012: 'Wow!' 'took my breath away'  'a gamut of emotions ... moved me to tears'  'the singing brings tears to my eyes'   'sends a tingle up the spine'  'leaves you wanting more!'

On 25th November our Côr Bach (small choir) presented a concert at the Eley Park Community Centre in Blackburn South.  Audience feedback included.

• Absolutely wonderful - Wow!   Barbara
• Such a gamut of emotions, I don't know where to begin. Some items literally had my scalp tingling, some made me laugh. Myfanwy and Under Milk Wood (Eli Jenkins Prayer) moved me to tears. Can't wait for another one! Elgin
• Excellent concert, beautiful singing both with Choir and Soloists. Loved Myfanwy and Eli Jenkins Prayer. Good luck in the future. Wonderful conducting and thank you for a great afternoon.   Felix
• We absolutely loved the concert. The conductress and pianist are inspiring. The dedication of the men is amazing - all without books! The variety of pieces presented was excellent. Thank you especially for Amazing Grace, When the Saints and Cwm Rhondda.   Ruth and Esther
• Took my breath away. Everyone was brilliant. Look forward to more concerts. Just beautiful. Merry Christmas to all!   Pamela
• Wonderful concert, forgotten how those inspiring voices give such pleasure, haven't been to a concert for a while, silly me, will remedy that.  Just lovely!!   Heather
• Loved every minute - great voices, lots of humour - a wonderful afternoon. Super accompanist.   Jo
• I am not Welsh but the singing brings tears to my eyes - very emotional. The ''X'' factor would not stand a chance!!   Margaret
• Harmonies beautiful without accompaniment - more please.   Gwen
• An excellent concert, nicely balanced. It's the first time I have been to a Côr Bach concert although I have followed the full choir for many years and have most of your CDs. The usual high standard was maintained. Well done. The arrangement of Waltzing Matilda always sends a tingle up the spine.   Kerry
• A most enjoyable concert. They keyboard player was excellent but I would prefer more solo choir pieces. The program length was very good - NOT TOO LONG BUT LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE!  Audience participation - a good idea and worked well. Conductor - v. good. Medley - v. good. Acoustics of last item was the best.    B. Fish (retired violin teacher)
• Our first concert of Welsh Male Choir and found it absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much.   Dale
• A fantastic concert - very enjoyable. I hope you come again.   Dorothy
• Great. Best I have heard.   Elaine
• A wonderful concert - the best this year - and that is saying something!   Frances
• Good range. Pemulwuy and Waltzing Matilda. Fantastic.   Jeanette
• This choir obviously enjoys what they sing - this is clearly observed by its audience, we enjoy it too. (Well done!)   Jim
• It was well rounded with a variety of music. Humour was used as well which is always good, and audience participation. There are some beautiful voices, so keep up the good work and the pleasure you provide to the public.   Pamela
• Choir, pianist and conductor excellent - most enjoyable day.   Pat
• Most enjoyable concert I have been to. Singing was excellent. Come back again.   Patricia
• Excellent 10/10   Rob
• Very ;entertaining. Lots of fun. Beautiful voices. Will come again.   Val
• Wonderful great concert, a joy to watch, especially Lorna and Faleiry.   Yvonne
• Roger Bartlett has a lovely voice and excellent diction, also all singers were wonderful. Most enjoyable concert - hope to hear more.
• Most enjoyable - The choir's enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment - impressive and contagious. Great to hear old time favourites but also good to hear lesser known, especially Pemulwuy.   

Vale Norm Robinson

On 4 Dec 2012 Victoria Welsh sang at the funeral of Norm Robinson, father-in-law of one of our members, in Eltham.



Performances in 2011