Last Night of the Proms

On Sunday 24th August, VicWelsh were guest performers at the Legends of Brass “Last Night of the Proms” concert at Epicure the Centre, Ivanhoe – the old Heidelberg Town Hall – a magnificent art deco building perfectly suited to the occasion. Apart from ourselves, the concert featured the Presbyterian Ladies’ College Pipe and Drum Band and, of course, the Legends of Brass.

The concert was opened by the Legends, followed by the choir with its first bracket of songs. The bracket started with two very popular Welsh hymns Men of Harlech (Gŵyr Harlech) and Rachie, and finished with When the Saints Go Marching In. The Legends and PLC then each played several pieces before VicWelsh returned to the stage to sing: Anvil Chorus (from Il Trovatore), Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) and What Would I do Without My Music. The first half of the concert closed with the Legends playing the overture to Orpheus in the Underworld.

After interval, the Legends opened the second half of the program with some more stirring music. VicWelsh then sang a third bracket of songs: Anfonaf Angel, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (the Welsh National anthem) and, accompanied by the Legends, I Vow to Thee My Country. PLC then played a final rousing bracket of tunes on the bagpipes and drums, including the lovely Highland Cathedral.

The program finished off in true London Proms style. Accompanied by the Legends, and with marvellous audience participation – including much waving of flags – the choir sang: Jerusalem, Rule Britannia (featuring our very own John Hales as soloist) and Land of Hope and Glory. The Proms then ended in traditional fashion with the Legends playing and everyone in the audience and the choir linking arms and singing Auld Lang Syne, loudly and with great enthusiasm!

Report by Tony Edmonds