Blackburn

“Privilege to hear you!” “Exhilarating, great choice of music.” “a beautiful, emotional journey carrying me back in time.” ” fantastic pianist and your lady conductor is amazing” “Great response from audience.” ” I was transported!!” “The best choir ever.” “Hair stood on end. Tears over several.” “Great humour and rapport with audience”

On 11th September Victoria Welsh Male Choir presented a concert at St Edward’s Church Blackburn, our Melbourne rehearsal venue.

From time to time we give a concert at our rehearsal rooms at St Edwards Church. It helps the church to raise funds for charitable purposes but also allows the choir to thank the neighbours for putting up with our cars in their street twice a week. And it might lead to recruiting local men when they see how much fun, comradeship and satisfaction is to be had.

It’s always a good sign when a concert is a little late in starting as the organisers shoehorn more chairs into the audience area. The first bracket showcased the choir in What Would I Do Without My Music, Morte Criste, O Gymru and the emotional Working Man with a heartfelt solo by bass Geoff Serpell.

Drew Hopkins then humorously highlighted the four sections of the choir, complete with startling stereotypes and Faleiry showed musically how the four-part harmony works in practice.

This was followed by baritone Roger Bartlett’s poignant rendition of the lesser known Homeward Bound, written by Marta Keen.

Faleiry introduced the next bracket as all aspects of love in various forms. The Rose was followed by You’ll Never Walk Alone, Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi and Anfonaf Angel. Love of his adopted country was evident both in Eric Bogle’s words and also in baritone Bob Ash’s resonant solo singing of Shelter.

Compère Stephen Pepper introduced the next bracket as the “slavery section” as the choir launched into Speed Your Journey and the rousing Battle Hymn of the Republic complete with eager and tuneful singing by the capacity audience.

The second half started with the temperance hymn Rachie followed by The Bells of Aberdovey, O Gentle Dove with a solo by Drew Hopkins and Men of Harlech in Welsh and English with patrons happy and confident to join in by consulting the words on the program.

After all that excitement, everyone was intrigued to see Geoff Serpell step forward with a straw hat on his head and, to the side, John Hales seeking some female assistance in tying up his apron. All was soon revealed with a spirited and funny duet entitled Ah Still Suits Me from Showboat.

As a finale, the choir launched into the medley from Les Misérables, complete with a fine solo première by Tony Hosemans on I Dreamed a Dream and an equally fine solo by Ed Hughes on Bring Him Home.

The afternoon’s concert in our own rehearsal rooms was a marvellous musical journey for choristers and the audience which is amply reflected in the many kind comments we received, which included:

Wonderful as always. Thank you very much.  Muriel

Beautiful!  Privilege to hear you!  Liz

Thoroughly enjoyed this concert.  Fiona

Great singing, presentation.  Ian

Exhilarating, great choice of music.  Joan

Excellent. Beautiful music, well performed.

Beautiful harmonies, very enjoyable.  Desirée

Absolutely a beautiful, emotional journey carrying me back in time.  Shirley

Lovely harmony. Very very very good.  Rhonda

A wonderful choir and harmony.  John

Wonderful choir, fantastic pianist and your lady conductor is amazing the way she holds each voice in her hand. Again, wonderful, as the choir uses our church hall I take every opportunity to hear it even from outside on practice night.  Pauline

Very disciplined choir and a delight to listen to. We follow their presentations at every opportunity.  Jim

Excellent programme. Great response from audience.  Ann

It was my first time and I was transporte4d!!  I bought the CD with Guardian Angel.  Judy

Most enjoyable.  Jeff

Thoroughly enjoyed the harmonies and the blend of voices. Loved singing Glory, Glory Allelluia.  Simone

Absolutely terrific.  Shirley

Thoroughly enjoyed the singing and the sense of humour. Thank you.  Miriam

The best choir ever. Couldn’t get enough. Hair stood on end. Tears over several.  Come back soon!  Elgin

Absolutely wonderful. Very emotional for me – I’m Welsh! Great humour and rapport with  audience. Marilyn and Martin