Woodend – Côr Bach

On Sunday 8th September Côr Bach (our “Small Choir”) were very pleased to return to Woodend to support our friend and former chorister Keith Beman and the Woodend CFA volunteers for a third time. On this occasion Côr Bach was reinforced by a number of soloists from our Bendigo chapter.

The program included two love songs with a positive flavour – Anfonaf Angel (I’ll Send an Angel) and Yfory (Tomorrow), both by Robat Arwyn, Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet), Paul Jarman’s powerful tribute to the aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy and a medley of songs from opera, musicals and the sixties.The near capacity audience came ready to enjoy themselves in an extremely varied program, responding warmly and enthusiastically to join us in the singing of Men of Harlech, Cwm Rhondda and When the Saints Go Marching In.

We are indeed blessed with a remarkable number of choristers who enjoy performing on their own or with a partner, as well as blending in harmoniously when singing with their section. Soloists included Barry McMahon. Ken Simpson and Ed Hughes. Roger Bartlett featured in both our Kaleidoscope section and in the Les Mis finale, and Drew Hopkins who joined with Rushan Hewawasam in the beautifully sung Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears. Bob Ashe did sterling double duty as both our compère and Working Man soloist.

Our Music Director and Huw Jones thrilled the audience as they played their harps together producing a delightful sound. Once again our Music Team of Faleiry Koczkar and Lorna Ogilvie excelled themselves and were ably backed up by Ann Roberts at the sound desk as well as our outstanding team of supporters at the ‘front of house’.  (Report by Andrew Naylor)

Audience comments received were very positive:

Loved it all. The last piece with choristers down the church was a fabulous change in dynamics. Enjoyed the solos. Great mix of pieces too. Fabulous to include the instrumentals via harps. ~ Fay.

Excellent, moving, well done.

Absolutely wonderful. ~ Joy and Norma

Excellent. ~ Robyn

A most enjoyable concert today. I thought the ‘mix’ was great with some newer numbers amidst the more familiar. The light hearted compering was very good. Huw Jones – most entertaining. Rushan and Drew’s song – beautiful. Anfonaf Angel really sounded good.

Excellent. 21 men obeying 1 woman – great! Only problem (probably the sound system) I could not hear all the excellent jokes. ~ Malcolm

Wonderful, thank you so much.

Thank you all for a wonderful afternoon.

Enjoyed the variety. “Pemulwuy” was a wonderful surprise! Beautiful singing. ~ Margaret

Excellent. More of it. ~ Linda

Beautiful singing, loved the concert. ~ Jean

What a wonderful way of spending a Sunday afternoon – quite inspirational!! Kudos to choir leader, the pianist plus accolades to Huw Jones, harpist. ~ Pam and Alan

Very impressed with inclusion of ‘Pemulwuy’ song, and whole presentation and explanation of songs. The tenor duet ‘Ellis Island’ also particularly pertinent. Please keep this wonderful variety going. Bravo. ~ Judy