Sackville Grange
On 21 April 2024, we were delighted to be invited back to Sackville Grange Retirement Village for a private concert.
We had last performed here in November 2022.
Under the musical direction of Rushan Hewawasam and accompanist Lorna Ogilvie, the choir launched into the joyous opening number Let Us All Sing.
Compère Tony Davies introduced the opening bracket, starting with Cwm Rhondda, with the eager audience happily joining in on the Songs of Praise chorus – twice. This was followed by Ar Lan y Môr and then the well-known Gwŷr Harlech (Men of Harlech), which prompted more enthusiastic patron participation on the English verse.
Tony described how John Newton’s epiphany had inspired his lyrics to Amazing Grace, the second American song of the concert. The 1874 hymn St Clement came next, followed by the beloved Calon Lân (A Pure Heart). Another US hymn, translated into Welsh as Gwahoddiad (Invitation), was introduced by Rushan, who sang the second verse as a solo, dedicating it to the memory of two friends who had died in the Colombo bombings—exactly five years ago to the day.
Tenor Drew Hopkins and baritone Roger Bartlett then stepped forward to deliver the heart-warming Love Changes Everything to great acclaim.
The Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi acted as a gentle contrast to the following stirring 1861 anthem Battle Hymn of the Republic—VicWelsh’s rendition of which has been viewed over 150,000 times on YouTube since 2020.
The second half opened with the rhetorical What Would I Do Without My Music, before Tony introduced the very emotional Anfonaf Angel (I Will Send an Angel), made famous by Bryn Terfel and Rhys Meirion, the latter having performed as a guest with the choir in 2018.
Gwinllan a Roddwyd I’m Gofal (A Vineyard Given to My Care), written for a 1937 Welsh radio play, featured Roger Bartlett singing the first verse before the choir joined him.
As if to scare off the Romans destroying the Welsh vineyards, whistles were heard, and two instant French policemen—tenors Geoff Roberts and Tony Hosemans—appeared to hugely entertain the audience with a comical rendition of The Gendarmes’ Duet.
The next bracket embraced an Afro-American theme, starting with the lively Every Time I Feel the Spirit, followed by the South African national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ i Afrika, which incorporates five of South Africa’s 11 official languages: Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans, and English. Then it was back to the USA for the popular When the Saints Go Marching In. As the audience had a crucial role in the final chorus, Rushan led a couple of quick rehearsals before the room confidently joined in.
Chairman of the village, Margot Boyce, returned to thank the choir, music team, and in-house organisers. Tony followed with thanks to the talented soloists. The concert closed with the rousing Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers), sung concurrently with Waltzing Matilda.
With the piano hushed, choristers farewelled the Sackville Grange family with Sunset Poem from Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, which was met with sustained applause.
And so to afternoon tea—replete with beautifully themed musical napkins and artistic touches. Another lovely Sunday afternoon intimate concert.
