Echuca Concert

Almost exactly two years to the day, we returned to the Paramount Theatre, Echuca to be part of a fundraiser for the local Uniting Church Community Program.

Our flourishing Bendigo branch includes three choristers from Echuca and one of them, first-time compère Ken McMullan, was closely involved in the organisation of the concert.

After our opening number Gwŷr Harlech, we launched into three other famous Welsh tunes Rachie, Rhys and the lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi. Bass Geoff Serpell then stepped up to the mike and led the choir through the iconic Working Man, complete with clenched fists. The full house of some 400 erupted and heartily applauded the performance. Faleiry seized the moment and Geoff and the choir reprised the last chorus with many patrons eagerly joining in.

Baritone Roger Bartlett followed with a mellifluous solo rendition of Marta Keen’s Homeward Bound which was also thoroughly enjoyed by the patrons.

Given the imminence of ANZAC Day, local choir River Voices, led by Martina Richardson, choose two WW1 Songs – In Flanders Fields and Here You Lie before a more upbeat I Will Sing. After the applause had died down, tenors Drew Hopkins and Rushan Hewawasam joined to tell the poignant story of Ellis Island in the affecting Isle of Hope, Isle of Dreams.

At the opening of the show the compère had acknowledged the local Yorta Yorta people so it was fitting that VicWelsh should present Paul Jarman’s popular song about Pemulwuy the famous late 1700s Aboriginal guerrilla fighter who lived in the Sydney area.

River Voices returned to present the Maori proverb Tama Tu before both choirs combined on Senzenina with conductor Martina melodiously leading the call and response. The uplifting What A Wonderful World capped off the very diverse first half.

After the interval, River Voices took the stage to deliver the emotional Prayer of the Children followed by a sea shanty style Boatmen Stomp, finishing with a tremendous and eponymous crashing of feet on the stage which made a few VicWelsh choristers sit up. The defibrillator was not required, however, but heartache of a different calibre was forthcoming when tenor John Hales and bass Geoff Serpell donned their princely coronets to masterfully deliver Stephen Sondheim’s wordfest Agony from Into the Woods.

The nostalgia theme continued with Jarman’s Land of my Song with scintillating solos by Bendigo baritone John Adams and tenor Geoff Roberts. The Welsh diaspora was further celebrated with Myfanwy, We’ll Gather Lilacs

(Ivor Novello) with audience participation, a beautiful solo by Rushan on How Great Thou Art (Harry Secombe) and heartthrob Roger channelling Tom Jones  on Green, Green Grass of Home so closely that accompanist Lorna just had to throw a scarf at him. Fortunately for us, her piano playing is more accurate than her throwing action so Faleiry cranked up the performance again thus giving an opportunity for the audience to join in but also to allow Lorna to launch another scarf right on target this time.

After that bit of fun, River Voices came back and Faleiry conducted both choirs in a medley of Songs from the First World War. The capacity audience joined in on It’s A Long Way to Tipperary before Martina’s lovely high soprano voice caught the pathos of Roses of Picardy. Over There was followed by Keep the Home Fires Burning before the whole theatre united on the finale of Pack up Your Troubles, leaving 400 patrons and some 70 choristers absolutely agreeing that the afternoon’s musical journey had indeed made everyone Smile, Smile, Smile.