Albury Concert

It was ten years since we were last over the border in Albury and the first time in the SS&A Club with its commodious facilities. The club generously provided the venue for the Lavington Lions Club to help raise funds for local children’s cancer patient facilities and treatment.

Local people totally supported the Club by filling the room with well over 300 tickets sold.

Setting the Welsh tone of the evening, the choir launched into Gwŷr Harlech before compère Drew Hopkins introduced the first bracket. The choir answered itself with What Would I Do Without My Music followed by the rousing temperance hymn Rachie – despite the open bar all eyes were kept firmly on the conductor. The sublime Morte Criste was next and Faleiry, sensing that patrons were eager to sing, invited them to reprise the last chorus. Bass Barry McMahon then stamped his fine voice and personality on Working Man to huge acclaim before Faleiry again reprised the final section with enthusiastic audience participation.

Native speaker Stephen Pepper took the stage to humorously conduct the educational part of the evening, teaching the assembly the pronunciation and meaning of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. The sustained applause underlined just how much everyone had enjoyed learning something new. 

Bendigo chorister Nigel McGuckian sensitively set the mood on his flute with Anfonaf Angel (Guardian Angel) before the choir told the story of the bombing of Swansea and the effect it had on the population including the pacifist parents of poet Waldo Williams in Y Tangnefeddwyr (The Peacemakers). Roger Bartlett’s well-modulated baritone voice then led the choir in the popular You’ll Never Walk Alone before we channelled Bette Midler on The Rose.

Continuing the love theme, versatile compère Drew was joined by tenor Rushan Hewawasam in a heart-touching duet Perhaps Love.

Heartache of a different sort followed with the choir singing an a cappella version of the old favourite Myfanwy which the audience very much appreciated.

Before the upbeat John Rutter arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In as the finale before interval, Faleiry had to make sure the crowd knew their parts in the final bars so, with tissues discreetly tucked away and backs straight, no less than three rehearsals were conducted. And, when the time came, they didn’t let the house down and sang so well and accurately that it just had to be done again!

After the necessary refreshments, the second half started off with the well-known Cwm Rhondda with patrons once again willing and able to sing the final chorus Songs of Praises. The choir’s specially commissioned work Land of My Song included fine solos by bass Bob Ash and tenor Garry Salisbury. This was followed by the other Paul Jarman song, the story of Pemulwuy the Aboriginal guerrilla fighter.

A change of tone then with Stephen Sondheim’s cleverly worded Agony, royally performed by two mature princes John Hales and Geoff Serpell.

From agony to misery then with the dramatic and theatrical Medley from Les Misérables with outstanding solos by Rushan (I Dreamed A Dream) and Roger (Bring Him Home). At the rousing conclusion of this wonderful medley, the audience applauded thunderously.

Once the excitement had subsided a little, Faleiry surprised everyone by announcing that a lady had requested You Raise Me Up. After checking that our hugely accomplished pianist Lorna remembered the tune, the seated choir confidently sang this impromptu number to the grateful patron who had, indeed, risen from her seat and was thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Then back to the program with an Australian finale with Drew and Geoff Serpell ably combining to lead the choir on Waltzing Matilda with its clever segue into the Welsh National Anthem Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Faleiry led the audience into a final singing outburst in order that they shared the triumph of the night’s musical experiences.

At the conclusion, many patrons rose up to give the choir a standing ovation and wanted even more.

The chairman of the Lavington Lions stepped forward to thank the choir and the music team once again and presented the choir with a framed commemorative Certificate of Appreciation.

Faleiry cast her eye around the room to see if there was sufficient space for choristers to surround the audience and, to the tune of Men of Harlech, arranged everyone appropriately. Once hush had descended and the signature notes given, the choir intoned the haunting Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood and bade a heartfelt farewell to a wonderful audience.