Lancefield – Côr Bach

Local bagpiper Malcolm Sinclair and his wife Mardi, playing the drum, were dressed in traditional Scottish kilts on Sunday 15 March when they accompanied the Victoria Welsh Male Choir at the Lancefield Mechanics Hall. At the sell-out concert, they played the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, and received resounding applause for their contribution. They also accompanied Romsey resident Rev. Tom Morgan on the patriotic Highland Cathedral.

The concert was a fundraising event as part of the Restoration Appeal for Christ Church Lancefield. Under the baton of musical director, Faleiry Koczkar OAM, this very popular concert opened to the rousing sounds of Gwŷr Harlech – or to the non-Welsh speaking in the audience, the well-known, popular and very distinctive Men of Harlech! It was sung so loudly and with such great enthusiasm by the choir that it was impossible to remain silent. So popular was this song that many audience members made their voices heard. The man behind me should certainly audition for the choir – the MC was calling for recruits to the Bendigo, Ballarat or Blackburn branches! Many in the audience also sang along to the solos and medleys. A word sheet was provided to assist the audience with the hymn Cwm Rhondda and The Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomon’  sung by Barry McMahon and the choir. Indeed, musical director Faleiry Koczkar coached the audience and when the audience’s rendition was not to her satisfaction, we sang it again… and again. All great fun!

Solos by choristers Ambrose Morgan, Roger Bartlett and Bob Ash captivated the audience. The choir excelled, and there was not a dry eye in the house when they sang Working Man, the story of an old miner.

In recognition of the forthcoming Anzac Day celebrations and the 100th anniversary of the event, a selection of World War One songs clearly took many of the older members of the audience back in time. Patrons enjoyed singing along to Roses of Picardy, Over There, Keep the Home Fires Burning, Pack up Your Troubles and It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.

And no concert of a Celtic nature would be complete without a rendition of Danny Boy, sung by Edwin Hughes. But surely the most impressive achievement of the day was the final offering of Waltzing Matilda. Arranged by Philip Carmody, Faleiry Koczkar and accompanist Lorna Ogilvie, their version of the well-known Australian folk song incorporated the Welsh National Anthem. This was, I felt, a masterstroke, admired by the audience as a whole.

Afternoon tea was provided and there was also an impressive spread of sandwiches, savoury items, cakes and slices as well as cups of tea and coffee. Further fundraisers of this kind would, I feel, fill the Mechanics Hall once again. Let there be more music in Lancefield!

Report by Fay Woodhouse

Reportedly after the concert many round the town were saying how much they enjoyed it and what a wonderful afternoon it was.  The Rev. Bill Carroll enjoyed it very much and declared it “most professional”, praising the music team and saying that Faleiry must be one of the best conductors in the world. One man was seen crying during Hafan Gobaith he was so moved by the song!  Other comments included:

Most enjoyable

Stirred our hearts

We Scots loved the inclusion of the piper

Impressed by the variety

As the organisers we were very pleased with how everything went and with the end result.