St David’s Day Concert

This year’s Saint David’s Day concert was especially auspicious, marking Faleiry’s 30 years as Musical Director — and her final concert before retirement.

After the choir assembled on stage, Faleiry entered from stage left to a rapturous reception, with the entire audience standing to congratulate her. Fittingly, as everyone was already on their feet, the choir launched into the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers).

Compère Drew Hopkins stepped up to introduce the first Welsh set: Cwm Rhondda, with patrons joining in for the final chorus, Ar Lan y Môr (By the Sea), and Gwŷr Harlech (Men of Harlech), with more enthusiastic singing on the English chorus.

Drew then welcomed two familiar guest soloists who have graced many past concerts. Rhonda Yates’ soaring soprano enchanted the audience with Ivor Novello’s Waltz of My Heart, before Melinda Ash stepped forward to coquettishly perform I Want to be a Prima Donna from the comic opera The Enchantress. Rhonda returned to introduce the Flower Duet from Delibes’ Lakmé, which the two performed exquisitely, with beautiful timing and sensitivity — met with much acclaim.

The next Welsh bracket was conducted by Jeanette John, guest from the Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir, and accompanied by Ballarat accompanist Mary O’Driscoll. It featured the dramatic Aberystwyth (a nod to Faleiry’s childhood town), the lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi (which only partly soothed a restless baby in the audience), and the moving Anfonaf Angel (I Will Send an Angel).

Next came our guests Bhán Tré — the Melbourne Celtic band of Sue Foley, Geraldine Davis, and Rebecca Humphreys — who raised the tempo and got everyone clapping along, especially to Whiskey in the Jar. To finish, Sue sang the verses of Loch Lomond, with the choir and audience joining enthusiastically in the chorus.

The final bracket before the interval featured the classic Myfanwy, opened with a verse of oohed harmony by countertenor Michael Gooey before the choir entered with the words. Rhieingerdd, a love song, followed with a more successful romantic outcome, and finally Gwinllan a Roddwyd I’m Gofal (A Vineyard Given to My Care), which saw baritone Roger Bartlett sing the first verse solo before the choir joined to help “protect the old country.”

After the interval, Roger returned to perform Little Welsh Home, setting the mood for Melinda to beautifully lead the choir in Cartref (Home).

Faleiry then addressed the audience to explain the significance of attempting a TTBB arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus — in honour of Ann and Colin Roberts’ daughter Jessica, whom Faleiry had once taught, and who had passed away two years ago. At the very mention of the piece, several audience members stood instinctively (with Drew giving those with dodgy knees a free pass). To everyone’s delight, the choir managed the difficult piece with gusto, more or less intact — and were rewarded with furious applause.

Faleiry then turned on her special stool to address the audience and choir. She reflected on her 30-year journey, thanking the Welsh Church for bringing out guest singers and conductors from Wales, many of whom had featured in past St David’s Day concerts. She warmly thanked the audience — not just for attending this day, but for their support across the decades — and invited long-time followers to stand, discovering that at least six people had followed the choir for the full 30 years.

She gave heartfelt thanks to her music team for their commitment and friendship, and to the many choristers who had sung under her direction. She made special mention of Ross Hartnell (whose brother Peter was in the audience), recognising his role in revitalising the choir with the now-famous mission statement in the 1990s, and paid tribute to all past and present presidents, including current president Tony Davies.

Bass Bob Ash then stepped forward to perform Eric Bogle’s Shelter. Always an emotional piece, today it was particularly poignant as Bob was also retiring after more than 27 years in the choir. The audience responded with long applause — and a few visible tissues.

Drew returned to introduce the final bracket: St Clement, the spirited Dashenka (The Gypsies) — complete with coconut percussion by Geoff Roberts — and finally Unwaith Eto’n Nghymru Annwyl (Once Again in Dear Wales), powerfully led by Rhonda. This song evoked vivid memories for many choristers, especially of its performance at the National Eisteddfod in 1999.

At this point, Drew invited all former choristers to the stage. About a dozen came forward and were warmly welcomed by their old friends. With everyone assembled, the augmented choir launched into the beloved Calon Lân (A Pure Heart) and the powerful Rachie to thunderous applause.

President Tony Davies then invited the day’s guests back to the stage for formal presentations. All the ladies, including Bendigo accompanist Liz Paton, received toiletry gift bags. Bob was presented with a bottle of wine. Specially chosen musical motif brooches were gifted to Jeanette, Lorna, and Faleiry.

Tony then presented Faleiry with a mother-of-pearl inlay box, engraved in Welsh with: “Thank you very much for leading Cantorion Cymreig Victoria Welsh Choir for 30 years.” He also gave her a certificate naming her Musical Director Emerita, affirming that she would always have a place in the choir’s future. He acknowledged her unwavering commitment — referencing the 25 years she and George drove up to Bendigo fortnightly (and later weekly), and her determined leadership taking the choir to the National Eisteddfod in 1999 and again in 2004, where VicWelsh earned third prize competing against some of Wales’ finest male choirs.

With everyone on stage, the grand finale began. Drew sang the first verse of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, followed by Rhonda and Melinda answering with the first verse of Waltzing Matilda. The choir and audience then split to sing both songs simultaneously — a symbolic fusion of cultures and memories. The concert ended in a standing ovation as Faleiry’s family joined her on stage for photographs and many guests stepped forward to express personal thanks.

In the bar afterwards, choristers gathered around Faleiry to serenade her with special lyrics written by tenor Michael Gooey, set to the tune of Myfanwy. The Welsh text had been refined with the help of Ballarat member Gareth Jones’s father back in Wales.

The celebrations continued at the Glen Waverley RSL, where past and present choristers and friends joined Faleiry and Lorna for a farewell dinner — and, inevitably, a final sing-down.

All in all, it was a remarkable day, full of song, joy, love, and deep emotion for everyone involved.

Audience Comments

– The choir and guests were really good. There was obvious joy throughout the theatre – a very special occasion.

– My late brother Ross was an active member of the choir until his death in 2000.He was very involved in the choir’s visit to Wales in 1999. Thank you for a wonderful day and my best wishes to Faleiry for a well-earned retirement – Peter Hartnell

– My phone has hardly stopped ringing since last Sunday about the way our friends enjoyed the singing and playing. One friend from Victoria Chorale and ex-Ashton Smith Singers said he and his wife were very pleased they attended. The Celtic group was also pleasing but for me the soprano duet of the Flower song by Delibes was brilliant – Geoff

– Friends reported that the auditorium, sound quality and sight of the stage was excellent and enjoyment level of the concert was very high. My daughter said it was very moving and she had a few tears when the retired choristers came down to sing on the stage – Janet

– Some friends of mine saw the choir for the first time and they were impressed.

– Brilliant – Hallelujah Chorus was fabulous – Please, please don’t delete the Hallelujah Chorus from the Choir’s repertoire! – Wendy

– Best concert I’ve ever been to – Jan