Village Glen Retirement Village

We were delighted to be invited back to the village after three years to entertain a capacity audience for this Sunday afternoon concert. The opening Welsh tune was *Cwm Rhondda* (Rhondda Valley) with the audience extremely eager to join in with the final chorus. The organiser Donna stepped forward to welcome us back and to thank the large crowd for their attendance.

Compère Tony Davies introduced the principal accompanist Lorna Ogilvie and the Musical Director Rushan Hewawasam.

The *a cappella Ar Lan Y Môr* (By the Seaside) was followed by the American/Welsh classic *Gwahoddiad* (Invitation) with a splendid solo English verse by Rushan. Next was *Pacem* (Peace) from the Latin mass with the opening verse sung by the entire first tenor section. Equally peaceful was a comparatively new Welsh tune, the ekphrastic *Y Darlun* (The Picture) followed by *Y Tangnefeddwyr* (The Peacemakers) which told the story of the bombing of Swansea through the eyes of the author’s pacifist parents.

Roger Bartlett came forward then to showcase his rich bass-baritone voice on *Homeward Bound* to great acclaim.

The next bracket was the famous American song *Amazing Grace* followed by *African Prayer* which included four languages to add to the three already sung. Moving musically back across the Atlantic teed up another iconic American tune *When the Saints* *Go Marching In* and Rushan told the audience how we had sung this special John Rutter arrangement in London in 2012 as part of a 500-male voice choir in a huge pre-Olympics concert.  In the absence of a brass band, he thoroughly rehearsed the audience in their parts in the final chorus and after two or three reprises we were ready to go and choir and audience marched together into musical heaven very satisfactorily.

Coming down to earth, the choir rhetorically asked themselves *What Would I do Without my Music* (another American tune). A song made famous by Bryn Terfel was next – *Hafan Gobaith* (Haven of Hope) was written to raise funds for a local childrens’ hospice.  Staying with the optimistic theme the choir launched into one of its favourite songs – *Anfonaf Angel* (I Will Send You an Angel), a Robat Arwyn song arranged by Ilid Anne Jones, a friend of the choir and who will be the Welsh Church’s guest conductor for the 2025 Gymanfa Ganu. Rushan dedicated this song not only to all the frontline people who looked after us during Covid but also to one of our very important choristers Col Evans who had suffered a stroke and was recovering in hospital. Always an emotional highlight, the song today had an extra poignancy and received lengthy applause.

As the choir sat down, Geoff Roberts (who took over as concert production manager from Col) then led the choir in the famous *Green Green Grass of Home* which was obviously very well-known by the audience.

Tony then told the assembly how the choir had commissioned  the next song, *Land of my Song*, from the famous Australian composer Paul Jarman some years ago and how some of the lyrics came from various choristers. With two solo verses very sensitively sung by Bendigo baritone John Adams, the choir’s performance was generously applauded. This was followed by Paul Jarman’s most famous song *Pemulwuy* about the Aboriginal guerilla leader active in the 1790s around Sydney Cove and the emotive and powerful climax was very warmly received by all.

As choristers moved to surround the audience, Tony explained that the finale would be the Welsh national anthem (*Hen Wlad Fy* *Nhadau* – Land of my Fathers) sung together with *Waltzing Matilda* with more audience participation. Then all was hushed as choristers chanted the farewell *Sunset Poem* from Under Milk Wood with Tony mentioning that Dylan Thomas would have been very pleased to know that we were immortalising his words on what would have been his 110th birthday.

Comments from the audience

“Thoroughly enjoyed it. Lovely that the choir came down amongst us. Very enjoyable and moving.”

“We loved the concert and the mix of selections! Mum (who is 97) was very impressed that you remember all the lyrics. We hope to see you again.”

“Very enjoyable, thank you so much.”

“What a treat to have you all here, thank you! ‘I Will Send an Angel’ brought tears to my eyes. Two songs by Paul Jarman – fantastic!”

“Very enjoyable. Would like to hear the Welsh National Anthem.”

“Wonderful uplifting music! Inspiring musical director. Great pianist! Cleverly put together, with character and gentle humour. Thank you.”

“A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thank you.”

“Very good program. Excellent pianist – thoroughly enjoyed playing. Love the harmonies.”

“A tremendous concert – so very entertaining, thank you.”

“Excellent performance! We missed Col as well.”

“Lovely voices, thank you.” – J. Lawrence

“Wonderful. Enjoyed every minute. Beautiful voices.”

“It was a wonderful day. It was like winning the lottery. Next time you come you must drop into unit 279 and I’ll make you a cup of tea.”