Castlemaine – Côr Bach

Drew Hopkins (Narrator) and Tony Davies (Swagman) first performed their presentation of A Diary of a Welsh Swagman at the Castlemaine Festival in April 2011 to tie in with that year’s theme of Storytelling. We were therefore delighted to be asked once again to repeat the event, along with 15 relevant songs or part-songs interpolated with the text. Soloists were Barry McMahon on Wandering the King’s Highway and Bob Ash on the ever-popular Working Man.

Photos were by Max Lesser and Castlemaine Mail.

In addition to the always brilliant accompanist Lorna Ogilvie, we were fortunate to also have the talent of our Bendigo chapter’s accompanist, Liz Paton, as organist for the day.

The second half ignited with What Would I Do Without My Music and the musically testing Pemulwuy complete with co-ordinated clapsticks. Bob Ash then came back with his lovely rendition of Eric Bogle’s Shelter.

In our Celtic medley, the choir’s depth of talent was on display with soloists Ken Simpson on Highland Cathedral, Ed Hughes on Danny Boy, Drew Hopkins on An Eriskay Love Lilt and Barry McMahon on Loch Lomond, which also gave the audience an opportunity to sing along with the chorus. And native Welshmen Stephen Lynn and Stephen Pepper combined on a well-modulated All Through the Night.

This was followed by another great duet with Drew and Rushan Hewawasam harmonising on Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.

Finally, given the year, the choir sang a medley of songs from World War One and the audience was once again pleased to join in with some of the choruses and we all finished with Smiles all round.

Compère Tony Davies briefly commented that 1914 was famous also for it being Dylan Thomas’ birth year.

By request, the Welsh National Anthem was sung and then the choir marched off to a reprise of Men of Harlech.  By the time patrons had sat down again and choristers found their opening notes, the words of Dylan Thomas once again floated through the excellent acoustics of this old church.

Observations from members of the audience included:

Wonderful sound! Really takes one close to heaven. Best $25 I’ve spent.  Elizabeth

Brilliant! Love the 1914 medley.  Well done – had a great afternoon. My favourite were the traditional numbers such as the Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond. Mark

Wonderful as usual. Keep up the good work!  Julie

I really enjoyed it. Makes me want to re-read Diary of a Swagman. Betty

Wonderful blending of voices. Disciplined – very neat and amazing appearance/uniform. So glad of the opportunity to hear the choir. Jan

Good presentation, beautiful blend of voice and harmony. Story introductions good – perhaps even more community singing with the choir?  Melva

Just lovely! Please come again!  Rex

The concert was a very memorable moving experience. An incredibly talented group.  Daryl

A lovely concert. Very powerful!  Anne