Hoppers Crossing

“Loved all the songs” “beautiful” “memories of Wales” “lovely harmonies and voices” “goose bumps”

For our last main choir concert of the year we were invited back to the burgeoning area of Hoppers Crossing, and the very keen audience was delighted to quickly open up their voices by joining in with the chorus to Cwm Rhondda, Rachie, Amazing Grace and the rhetorical What Would I Do Without My Music set off the afternoon at a cracking pace.  John Hales and Geoff Serpell then delighted all in the hall with an extremely polished humorous performance of the Gendarmes’ Duet.

Changing the tone, the choir showed its tender side with an a cappella Myfanwy followed by the romantic Anfonaf Angel and the musically challenging Pemulwuy.  Whilst in contemplative mood, Bob Ash then sang a beautifully modulated Shelter by Eric Bogle.  Then it was time again for patrons to sing along with a medley of well-known songs from WW1 as everybody Smile, Smile, Smiled their way into the interval.

The second half ripped into action with the stirring Let All Men Sing before showcasing individual choristers’ talents in the Celtic Medley. Ken Simpson confidently led the choir in Highland Cathedral, Ed Hughes caused eyes to mist over with Danny Boy; Scotch mist was invoked by multi-tasking soloist and compère Drew Hopkins. Second tenors and fellow Welshmen Stephen Pepper and Stephen Lynn featured on All Through the Night and Irishman Barry McMahon (the smiling bass) helped choir and audience to tunefully find the right road in Loch Lomond.

Hard-working Drew and Rushan Hewawasam then melodiously combined to tell us about Ellis Island in Isle of Hope, Isle of Dreams which noticeably affected many in the hall.

The talented second tenor Rushan then featured as soloist in the Les Mis medley, the finale of which elicited sustained applause from an audience who had truly been an integral part of a shared musical experience which, during the afternoon, had taken them on an emotional roller-coaster.

Everyone then stood for the Welsh National Anthem before the choir exited the stage to the strains of Men of Harlech. Once the applause died down it only remained for choristers, surrounding the audience, to bid them a fond farewell courtesy of Eli Jenkins’ Prayer. 

Audience feedback included:

Fabulous – loved all the songs at this concert. ~ Joy

Excellent as usual. ~ Karen

You just give me goose bumps ~ Marlene

Thoroughly enjoyed it! ~ Elwyn

Was beautiful, I especially enjoyed Pemulwuy and Amazing Grace.

Wonderful as always. So many memories of Wales. ~ Joyce

Loved every moment. ~ Martha

Terrific!! Very lovely harmonies and voices. ~ Debbie

A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. A great concert with wonderful voices. ~ Paula