Aireys Inlet

“Fantastic performance – made me nostalgic”

“Really good show. Real gentlemen. They are so happy.”

“The best afternoon’s performance I have enjoyed in years.”

The choir journeyed down the Great Ocean Road on 7 May for a Sunday afternoon concert at the Community Hall, to raise funds for the local Red Cross.

The show’s opener was What Would I Do Without My Music before a Welsh medley of We’ll Keep a Welcome (warmly sung by soloist Barry McMahon), Hymns and Arias, Calon Lân, Sospan Bach and Cwm Rhondda with the very musical audience happy to join in on the last chorus.  Ambrose Morgan then told the humorous tale of an unlucky band of Welsh rugby supporters, to great acclaim. We don’t think they ever did make it to Warrnambool, to see whales play!

In our love bracket, patrons were treated to The Rose, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi and the poignant Y Tangnefeddwyr (The Peacemakers).

Bass-baritone Roger Bartlett next stepped up to showcase his powerful vocal range with a solo performance of Let Me Fall, from Cirque du Soleil’s 20th anniversary show.

Picking ourselves up, the choir launched into Speed Your Journey and then finished the first half with Battle Hymn of The Republic, complete with lovely piccolo accompaniment by Nigel McGuckian and lusty audience participation in the final chorus. Lucky patrons near the piano were able to see close up, on both these demanding numbers, the flying fingers of our wonderful accompanist Lorna Ogilvie.

After an intake of ozone, we came back as the beleaguered Men of Harlech with the audience keen to once again join in with the English verse.

Versatile compère Drew Hopkins then described how the choir had commissioned Paul Jarman to write Land of My Song, using choristers’ own writings as inspiration, before the choir sang this very special work, with sensitive solos by Bob Ash and tenor Geoff Roberts.  This was followed by the stirring tale of an Aboriginal guerrilla fighter, Pemulwuy, also composed by Paul.

From open warfare to domestic upset was next with seasoned performers, tenor John Hales and bass Geoff Serpell, marvellously combining on the very funny Ah Still Suits Me from the musical Showboat.  Then we were on to more serious matters with the much-loved medley from Les Misérables, featuring the choir and solos by Roger. After sustained applause, we then presented a special arrangement of Waltzing Matilda sung by the choir and marvellous duettists Drew and Graeme Sanderson.

After an official thank you by the Red Cross’s President, we came off-stage to surround the audience and say our goodbyes with the haunting Sunset Poem.