Village Glen Retirement Village, Capel Sound concert

Blessed with a sunny but cool Sunday afternoon, we positioned ourselves in the splendidly sited clubhouse and launched into Gwŷr Harlech with the sell-out audience eagerly joining in with the English verses.

Compère Stephen Pepper introduced the music team and the next two hymns – Rachie in Welsh and Morte Criste in English.

Bass Barry McMahon stepped forward to channel Frank Sinatra on That’s Life and was joined for the final choruses by baritone Roger Bartlett.

The gentler Anfonaf Angel followed before Roger returned to lead the choir in Green, Green Grass of Home – a presentation rewarded by enthusiastic applause and a well-placed throwing of the accompanist’s scarf.

More talent from within the choir came forward with tenors Rushan Hewawasam and Geoff Roberts melodiously combining on the famous Panis Angelicus duet.

Next was a bracket around the theme of love – the a cappella Myfanwy, We’ll Gather Lilacs, The Rose and You’ll Never Walk Alone. Tissues were retained and rearranged for another lovely tenor duet, Perhaps Love, by Rushan and Drew Hopkins.

By this time the audience was ready to sing again and, with printed words supplied, the choir led everyone in the anthemic Jerusalem.

Bass Geoff Serpell then stirred up the emotions even more with an energetic rendition of an old favourite Working Man.

After the clapping had subsided, Faleiry had a quick rehearsal with patrons before the choir attacked the popular When the Saints Go Marching In with the audience helping them to finish off the first half in a rousing manner.

The second half started with the famous Cwm Rhondda and the marvellous What Would I Do Without My Music. This was followed by another mellifluous solo by Roger with the aching Homeward Bound. Compère Stephen Pepper explained the significance of Paul Jarman’s two songs – Land of My Song was first with solos by Bendigonian John Adams and Geoff Roberts – and the very modern arrangement of Pemulwuy.

Now it was time for some lighter fare with bass Geoff Serpell and the frocked-up tenor John Hales with a theatrical performance of the Ah Still Suits Me duet from Showboat.

We then moved from the Mississippi to the Miserable to present the dynamic medley from Les Mis with Roger soloing on I Dreamed A Dream.

Having started the concert with Men of Harlech in Welsh and English, the concert concluded with a special arrangement of Waltzing Matilda – solos by Geoff Serpell and Drew – which incorporated the simultaneous singing of the Welsh National Anthem at the end.

After tremendous applause from the assembled company, choristers made their way off the stage to surround the audience where they sang their fond farewells with the heartfelt Sunset Poem.