Maldon – Côr Bach

“I don’t know about heaven, but I’ve just been there for two hours.” “Nostalgia, challenge, humour and beauty” “A wonderful musical and spoken rendition of The Welsh Swagman.”

On 22nd March our small choir (Côr Bach) ventured into the Goldfields area to present a specially requested “Swagman” first half for an afternoon concert at Maldon.

It was Maldon where the Welsh swagman, Joseph Jenkins, ended up working for the last nine years of his 25 years in Victoria in the late nineteenth century and where he was in charge of the town’s extensive road drainage system. Drew Hopkins narrated the extracts from the diary and Tony Davies was The Swagman.

By the keen interest shown and the nodding of heads it was clear that quite a few members of the audience were familiar with the diary and Jenkins’ role in keeping their town’s streets in good working order.

Fifteen appropriate songs, or part-songs, were interpolated with the text to add to the musical journey with Barry McMahon as soloist on Wandering the King’s Highway and Bob Ash on Working Man. Bendigo accompanist Elizabeth Paton took advantage of the church’s organ to augment Lorna Ogilvie’s keyboard.

Other soloists in the second half were Roger Barlett on Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey and the exquisite Maria, Bill Denholm on anvil in Anvil Chorus and Roger again in the finale’s Les Mis medley.

As is customary in the country, the choir and audience then moved to the hall for a well-earned afternoon tea and where, unsurprisingly, the local Swagman was still a topic of conversation, 120 years after he had left the town to return to Wales. We think he would have been pleased.

Audience comments included:

Thank you for a great musical experience – nostalgia, challenge, humour and beauty.  Jennifer.

Fantastic – lovely resonating sound – enjoyed muchly. ~ Karen.

I just loved the Diary of the Welsh Swagman extracts. Thank you for this special Maldon treat. This has been a most enjoyable concert. ~ Winsome

Fabulous to listen to – well worth the time to spend with them. Narrator of the Welsh Swagman very good. All members to be congratulated. Thank you to all. ~ Frances

Fabulous, loved it! Great to grab a CD order form too – I will certainly order a CD or two! Thanks! ~ Liz

Thank you, it was fabulous, especially your Joseph Jenkins story! And the rest of the concert was a lovely mix! ~ Lee

What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon – an excellent programme. Congratulations to all concerned. ~ Beth

I enjoyed a wonderful concert today. Thank you! ~ Colleen

A marvellous range of song. I do like, also, modern Welsh language, music and song.

I don’t know about heaven, but I’ve just been there for two hours. Thank you. ~ Norman

”Great”  ~ Norma

A wonderful musical and spoken rendition of The Welsh Swagman. Altogether a great concert. Thank you. A fantastic conclusion. ~ Joy

A fabulous concert. Very entertaining. Very clever men and ladies. ~ Lyn

I did enjoy the singing being incorporated into the story of the Welsh Swagman – particularly evocative given we are in Maldon. Thank you to the pianist – she was fabulous. ~ Veronica

A beautiful afternoon, both music and mood. I have been to many of your concerts, this one is the best so far. ~ Wilson

I’m visiting from Warragul for the weekend in Castlemaine – your music was beautiful – a gift from God to us all. God bless you all – come back to Warragul. ~ Diane

Harmony, humour and history – beautifully planned and presented in local context.

Imaginative, beautiful, inspiring and entertaining. 

Artist/audience relationship superb. ~ JW 

What a treat for the ears! A terrific performance by The Cor Bach, of the Victoria Welsh Choir.  Smaller in number than the choir many have heard, the choir gave a fabulous performance of The Diary of a Welsh Swagman and I’m sure everyone that packed into Holy Trinity Church thought so as well. The second half was equally enjoyable, especially as I am a big fan of Les Miserables and even sang along to the familiar songs. Everyone connected with the choir did a fantastic job, to bring it all together and I’m sure that everyone who attended the concert left with a song in their hearts and a smile on their faces. ~ Margaret.