Sing Australia and Victoria Welsh Choir (Joint)

VicWelsh journeyed two hours north of Adelaide to Kadina in the Copper Triangle. Compere and organiser John Snodgrass welcomed us and then introduced Sing Australia’s two conductors – Jo Hurrell and Steph Sharp and accompanist Daryl Parker.

Their first set comprised I’m Beginning to See the Light, Wings, Chariot Coming, As Long As I Have Music, Let Go the Long White Sails and Green Door.

VicWelsh tenors Drew Hopkins and Rushan Hewawasam stepped up to sing the romantic Perhaps Love before our compere Bob Ash introduced Faleiry and Lorna before launching into Men of Harlech complete with the waving of both the Cornish and Welsh flags as befitted the presence in the audience of descendants of both countries.

Echoing Sing Australia’s fourth song, VicWelsh rhetorically asked What Would I Do Without My Music before Merle Hopman on recorder melodiously led the choir into Anfonaf Angel. A mining bracket followed – the ever-popular Cwm Rhondda with audience participation followed by a flawless a cappella rendition of Prince Amongst Men by Bob and an emotional finale Working Man by fellow bass Geoff Serpell.

After a short interval, Sing Australia came back to entertain the capacity audience with a bracket of popular songs – I Love, Sound of Silence,Catch a Falling Star and Take Me Home.

Geoff Serpell then joined up with aproned tenor John Hales with their comic duet Ah Still Suits Me from Showboat.

The choir restarted with the a cappella lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi before Bob set the scene for the story of Pemulwuy complete with clapsticks by Rushan and Garry Salisbury. Fond memories and emotions were then embraced with The Rose, You’ll Never Walk Alone and We’ll Gather Lilacs. These were followed by the choir’s last rousing number Oh When the Saints Go Marching On.

John Snodgrass thanked everyone who had made the joint concert such a roaring success. The Sing Australia ethos was exemplified by the revelation that fifteen members had driven up from Adelaide and that two of his personal friends had picked up Rushan from the airport and brought him up – an absolutely wonderful practical gesture.

Jo returned to conduct the combined choirs on I Dreamed A Dream and Always There. Faleiry then took over to lead everyone in Waltzing Matilda with duet by Drew and Geoff, culminating in the majority of singers and patrons singing the chorus while a small section concurrently sang the Welsh National Anthem.

Such a warm feeling was in the church that it was only fitting that VicWelsh paid their respects to Sing Australia choristers and audience alike, by leaving the stage to surround the pews to sing our heartfelt farewells with Sunset Poem.