Kyabram concert

After two and half years we were back in Kyabram, this time for a Sunday afternoon concert at the Living Waters Church as a fundraiser for chaplaincy services at Kyabram P-12 College.

VicWelsh Echuca-based Bendigo chapter choristers Ivan Ryall, Ken McMullan and Garry Salisbury were closely involved with locals David and Liz in organising the concert.

After the rousing opening number Men of Harlech, Garry (currently teaching at the college and today’s compère) introduced David and Liz who spoke to the large audience about the many practical benefits of the chaplaincy service. 

The all-Welsh first bracket comprised Blaenwern (Love Divine), Calon Lân (A Pure Heart) and Cwm Rhondda with the assembly happily joining in with the final Songs of Praises choruses.

Soloist first tenor Drew Hopkins then stepped forward and channelled Mario Lanza in a bravado performance of I Walk With God from The Student Prince.

This was followed by choral items Ar Lan Y Môr (Beside the Sea), Hiraeth (Longing) with a beautifully modulated solo introduction by tenor Gordon Parsons and Y Tangnefeddwyr (The Peacemakers).

Next was our homage to Welsh and other miners. Bass Bob Ash totally enthralled the audience with his sensitive a cappella rendition of Prince Among Men before soloist Barry McMahon powerfully led the choir on the iconic Working Man.

Before the final number before interval, Faleiry put the tuneful congregation through their paces with a rehearsal of their part in John Rutter’s When the Saints Go Marching In. Nigel McGuckian gave support on flute and the popular classic soared to its syncopated conclusion with everyone participating, with even a second reprise for good measure.

The second half’s opener was Speed Your Journey which was much enjoyed by the reassembled company. Tenor and conductor of our Ballarat branch John Forster then very sensitively sang the first verse of How Great Thou Art which was subtly enhanced by baritone Ken Simpson adding harmony from the first row. The choir joined in on the second verse and the whole performance culminated in extended applause.

In musical contrast, Barry McMahon then presented a totally engaging and animated solo performance of that old laconic standard That’s Life.

Stepping back a few decades to some well-known tunes, the choir sang My Dearest Dear, You’ll Never Walk Alone and We’ll Gather Lilacs with Drew singing the first verse from the choir ranks. Naturally, many in the audience knew all the words and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of this nostalgic bracket.

Going back even further chronologically, Bob Ash and tenor Ed Hughes put on enough kit to look the part before they hugely entertained everybody with the comic Gendarmes’ Duet, complete with soft-diplomacy French bread sticks instead of batons. As they say in France, it was a tour de force! 

Nigel once again showed his mastery of the flute by introducing the famous Goin’ Home which the choir delivered with much finesse. It wasn’t quite time to finish, however, as Drew and bass Graeme Sanderson skilfully duetted on a modern arrangement of Waltzing Matilda with choral backing and finishing with part of the choir and the audience singing the English words while another section passionately delivered the Welsh National Anthem at the same time.

With their final singing participation, the audience rewarded Faleiry, Lorna and the choir with great acclaim. The choir, in turn, then gave their heartfelt thanks to them by stepping down from the stage to stand in the aisles to chant their farewells with the enchanting Sunset Poem.