St Matthew’s Church Albury

It had been four years since the Lavington Lions Club had hosted a VicWelsh concert and this time they had chosen the eminent St Matthew’s Church in Albury with its high-vaulted ceiling, incredible acoustics and the wonderful Canadian Létourneau pipe organ, installed for the 1994 re-opening of the church after the disastrous 1991 fire.

Processing into the church while singing Men of Harlech and with the audience joining in with the English verses, got the concert off to a great start. This was immediately followed by a Welsh medley comprising We’ll Keep a Welcome, Hymns and Arias, Calon Lân, Myfanwy and Cwm Rhondda with patrons eagerly singing the last Songs of Praises verse.

Compère Tony Davies welcomed everybody and introduced the music team of Associate Musical Director Rushan Hewawasam, accompanist Lorna Ogilvie and Bendigo chapter accompanist and organist Elizabeth Paton.

The first bracket introduced two new songs to the choir’s repertoire – For the Beauty of the Earth and Nant y Mynydd (Mountain Stream) with the first verse mellifluously sung by a trio of Bendigo members – Ivan Ryall, Norm Bateson and Ken McMullan. This was followed by the classic Blaenwern with the first opportunity to hear the magnificent tone of the organ.

Tony mentioned that a retired chorister Moelwyn Hugh Jones (the only chorister who had actually worked as a coal miner) had recently died at 91 years of age and, in memory of him, his friend Barry McMahon stepped forward to sing Moelwyn’s ‘signature tune’ Working Man which was received extremely warmly.

The organ, deftly played by Elizabeth, again featured in St Clement and Tydi a Roddaist, sandwiching the very touching Rhys (Grant Me the Peace).

After the interval, Rushan showcased his powerful tenor voice, leading the choir in the moving South African call and response protest song Senzenina. This was followed by a 

love-of-country bracket with the well-known traditional Hiraeth (Longing) and Ar Lan y Môr (By the Sea) and the sunny O Gymru (Oh Wales).

Moving 110 years backwards in time and 3000 miles westwards in distance, Tony set the scene for a duo from tenors Geoff Roberts (stoker) and Tony Hosemans (radioman) as they skilfully and sensitively brought out the drama and pathos of their situation on the sinking Titanic on April 15 1912. Their performance, including Tony’s syncopated Morse code tapping, received sustained applause.

With a dedication to all frontline staff, the choir  launched into the emotive Anfonaf Angel 

(I Will Send an Angel) along with many heartfelt thoughts going to our Musical Director Faleiry, currently in rehab after some radical back surgery.

Then the début of the prayer Benedictus from Sir Karl Jenkins’ 1999 mass for peace, The Armed Man. With Elizabeth on organ, the piece was acoustically and stunningly transformed.

Finally, the baritone section confidently led the choir in the anthemic You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Our host Graham Jenkin stepped up to thank the choir and audience for their attendance for a magnificent musical event.

In turn Tony asked everybody to acknowledge and thank all the choir soloists and the highly talented music team of organist Elizabeth, accompanist Lorna and MD Rushan.

The choir then stood to sing the Welsh anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau interspersed with Waltzing Matilda and, to enthusiastic applause, the afternoon’s concert was nearly over, as the choir marched off stage singing Men of Harlech. However, rather than exiting the church, they surrounded the slightly bemused audience and quietly moved into the haunting Eli Jenkins’ Prayer or Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood. As the choristers bowed their heads to the setting sun and hummed the final notes, everyone in the church silently acknowledged the immersive emotion of the power of a shared musical experience. 

Senzenina – beautiful. The whole concert was great – I never tire of the performances which I’ve attended. An emotional experience every time. Maureen

Beautiful, harmonious, traditional sound. Many thanks.

Lovely. Judy

Absolutely beautiful. Such wonderful music lifts the spirits. Annette

Hello to all those who know us (Geoff and me) from his days as a chorister. Gwllynes

Delightful and most accomplished. Rod

A breathtaking performance. Thank you so much. Kevin

Wonderful performance – good variety of content, very professional.

Bendegedig! Diolch!

Loved it! A little quiet but I love loud! Would have loved the words printed to each song. I followed the lyrics on my phone. I would love to hear the pipe organ blow the roof off! Barry’s solo Working Class Man (sic) absolutely beautiful – a very touching tribute indeed. Also, For the Beauty of the Earth – so beautiful! Nice venue in a church. Close to God. Zoe

Wonderful acoustics to do justice to wonderful music/singing. Thank you. Jan