Kapunda concert with KaDenCe Choir
The imposing Institute Hall at Kapunda was the venue for our fourth and last tour concert with the local mixed KaDenCe Choir led by Nikki Berrill. Such was the attraction of the joint concert that, despite extra chairs being brought into the hall, patrons were also standing at the back and in the entrance.
KaDenCe started the concert by surrounding the audience to welcome VicWelsh with a witty song, sung to the tune of Men of Harlech, before the real English verse and then VicWelsh singing Gwŷr Harlech in Welsh. The classic Cwm Rhondda received the same treatment before compère John White introduced our first bracket comprising What Would I Do Without MyMusic, Morte Criste, the lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi and Yfory (Tomorrow) with sensitive accompaniment by Merle Hopman on treble recorder. Bass Geoff Serpell then introduced Working Man, paying respects to miners everywhere, including here in Kapunda, Australia’s first mining town. This presentation attracted sustained and noisy applause. All available chairs being occupied by paying patrons, VicWelsh exited the stage through a side door to find temporary seating on the coach.
Nikki, accompanied by Peter on clarinet, took the stage to entertain the capacity audience on Aranjuez and Paul Manz’s famous Aria. They were then joined by Glenda to sing We’ve Only Just Begun.
KaDenCe then came together in a popular bracket of classic tunes Happy Together, California Dreaming, Monday Monday and Dream a Little Dream.
After the interval both choirs squeezed on to the stage to present an extended Les Misérables medley with some sections sung just by KaDenCe, others combined and fine solos by Nikki, Bob Ash and Rushan Hewawasam. VicWelsh filed outside leaving Bob to solo on the poignant Prince Amongst Men, Rushan on I Know Him So Well before being joined by Drew Hopkins on the romantic duet Perhaps Love.
KaDenCe’s last bracket was At the bend of the river followed by Song of Australia finishing with part of Waltzing Matilda, then the war-themed Here You Lie. With VicWelsh returning, this prefaced a medley of World War One songs, conducted by Faleiry, with the eager audience enthusiastically singing along. Both choirs were now in place for the grand finale – the stupendous Hallelujah Chorus with Nikki on the rostrum and everyone standing and joining in, a superb finish for an afternoon of quality singing and performance.
As patrons started to move out, Faleiry led VicWelsh into an impromptu rendition of the Welsh National Anthem with a proud local Welshman singing his heart out. Not wanting to let the moment slip away, he requested Calon Lân and VicWelsh fired up again. By this time most of the departing patrons had turned on their heels to revel in this encore. Requests came thick and fast – Faleiry settled on Amazing Grace and made that the very last song, farewelling the reluctant audience with the very apt, “And grace will lead me home, lead me home”.