Ballarat
The choir was very happy to be back in Ballarat, albeit at a different but equally splendid venue. Bendigonian Rob Hopman acted as compere for the day and ably steered proceedings through a packed and wide-ranging musical afternoon.
Regular attendees at VicWelsh concerts are always impressed by the fact that the choir performs their extensive repertoire from memory, so our opening number What Would I Do Without My Music seemed self-evident but it proved to be a rousing show-opener.
This was followed by a couple of well-known Welsh songs, then North Walian Stephen Pepper brought a humorous educational slant to the proceedings with some Welsh pronunciation.
Switching into Latin for Benedictus, then back to Welsh for a lullaby and Anfonaf Angel and concluding the bracket with the Australian song Pemulwuy showcased the choir’s versatility in languages and styles.
Tenor John Hales and the choir brought an element of Last Night at the Proms to the afternoon with a stirring rendition of Rule Britannia which harked back to the glories of the eighteenth century.
Moving forward to the First World War, the audience and choir kept each other in musical company with a medley of well-known numbers, finishing the first half with extended exhortations to Smile, Smile, Smile!
Let All Men Sing launched the second half and the following Celtic medley gave opportunities for the audience to enjoy a range of individual choristers’ talents.
In deference to the Scottish background of the venue, St Andrews Kirk, Alex van Mens confidently led the choir in the soaring Highland Cathedral; Ed Hughes tugged at the heartstrings with Danny Boy and Drew Hopkins lilted us through the Hebrides. Native Welshmen Stephen Pepper and Stephen Lynn combined in All Through the Night and Irish descendant Barry McMahon charmed patrons into singing along with the choruses of Loch Lomond.
After this rollicking medley, Faleiry turned down the musical wick to offer the audience an a cappella rendition of that old favourite Myfanwy in response to a special request.
Holding the mood, baritone Bob Ash sang a beautifully modulated Shelter.
In the finale of the medley from Les Misérables, the solo part was taken by Melinda Ash whose exquisite soprano voice left the audience wanting more.
Comments from audience members included:
Lovely music. ~ Lois
Lovely concert; enjoyed the participation with the audience and the background chats. Thank you. ~ Julie
Wonderful inspiring music with many songs my father sang. Thank you.
Good selection of music to wide appeal.
Inspirational! ~ Karen and Ken
This is a lovely treat – a real pleasure to be here. I particularly enjoyed PEMULWUY (very thought-provoking and poignant!). Thank you for a wonderful feast. Loved Dylan Thomas. ~ Catherine
Beautiful, spine tingling music! Thank you all so very much. ~ Valerie
I have enjoyed all of it. ~ Mary
Loved it all – particularly the sing-along! Beautiful harmony. Very clear diction. Lady soloist – outstanding!! Thank you.
Thank you again for a wonderful afternoon of beautiful music. Great choir, great accompanying pianist, excellent m.c. and musical director. Keep going. ~ Glenice
I loved it. ~ Leigh
We never miss a performance if possible. Loved the one with our Ballarat boy – David Hobson. ~ Chris
Yesterday in Ballarat I had a beautiful musical experience with you and your Victoria Welsh Male Choir. Music can inspire and make the soul fly, and mine did that on Sunday. I just loved the encore, with choir members all around I felt that all the audience became wrapt in music, I loved singing in my bass voice Rule Britannia – and I was very impressed with Pemulwuy – I have read lots of Australian history, because I have a first fleet convict ancestor too. Looking at my family tree, I know I have roots from Wales, so whether that or simply the glorious music gave me so much pleasure I cannot tell. ~ Irene