St David’s Day Gymanfa Ganu

Coincidentally this year’s Gymanfa Ganu was held on the actual Saint David’s Day and, for the second year running, St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne was the beautiful venue. The Rev. Siôn Gough Hughes from the Welsh Church, who once again had organised the Gymanfa, officiated throughout the service prefacing each of the congregational hymns with an appropriate introduction. The service commenced with the Australian National Anthem – Advance Australia Fair conducted by Faleiry Koczkar OAM. After a flag raising ceremony, she also conducted the whole assembly in the Welsh National Anthem – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

The eight congregational hymns were O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, What a friend we have in Jesus, Llef, Love Divine, Blessed Assurance, Calon Lân, Immortal Invisible and Sanctus. Melbourne Welsh’s conductor Mitch Meyer was unavailable at the last moment, so the other three Welsh choir conductors divided up the task between them. Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir’s Jeanette John combined with Australian Welsh’s Tom Buchanan OAM and Victoria Welsh’s Rushan Hewawasam, ably sharing conducting duties. The Geelong and Mornington Peninsula Ladies choirs presented Y Darlun, conducted by Tom and Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring in Welsh was conducted by Jeanette.

The three men’s choirs combined to sing Gwahoddiad and Rachie, both conducted by Rushan. Tom also conducted his Excelsis Choir in I Believe in God Even when He is Silent. Throughout the service the piano was played by VicWelsh’s Mary O’Driscoll with Melbourne Welsh Church’s John Weymouth on organ.

Guest artist Welsh soprano (and now Melbourne resident) Heulen Cynfal magnificently performed four items, accompanied by Mair Roberts.

After the vote of thanks and the blessing by Siôn, the packed cathedral and choristers combined to sing the final song, the iconic Cwm Rhondda conducted by Tom.

For every single person concerned, the hwyl generated by the glorious singing, enhanced by the Cathedral’s acoustics, was marvellous to experience. Next year everyone will be back to the same place on 28th of February 2026.

Tony Davies

10 March 2025