St Edward’s Anglican Church – 29 March 2026

The last time we staged a concert in our rehearsal venue was way back in 2018 so we were pleased to see the hall filled with patrons wanting to enjoy what might be the last performance there before a new congregation takes over the church after Easter.

As is customary, the audience stood for the Welsh National Anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers).

Compère Tony Davies introduced Mary O’Driscoll the accompanist and Musical Director Rushan Hewawasam. The first bracket of Welsh tunes was Rachie, Calon Lân (A Pure Heart), Gwahoddiad (Invitation) and Morte Christe.

Next came Ar Lan Y Môr (By the Seaside) with a solo by Rushan, Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night) with a solo by Drew Hopkins and the kitchen chaos of Sosban Fach (Little Saucepan) with the audience eagerly clapping along to the rhythm.

There followed two compositions by Robat Arwyn who had recently been brought out by the Melbourne Welsh Church to conduct their huge Gymanfa Ganu (Festival of Hymns) at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the celebrations for St David’s Day. Firstly, the well-loved Anfonaf Angel (I’ll Send you an Angel) followed by Benedictus (Blessing) from the Catholic Mass. Finally, before the interval, the classic Cwm Rhondda (Rhondda Valley) with spirited audience participation in the final chorus.

After the break Tony introduced three famous songs from musicals and movies. Starting off with Anthem (from the musical Chess by the two men from Abba), the theme of love continued with Love Changes Everything from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love and the powerful Stars from Les Mis. Rushan spoke about the benefits of being in a choir and urged any men present to connect with choir members after the show to find out how to join.

The sobering and poignant Prayer of the Children came next followed by a change of mood on Carly Simon’s Let the River Run written specially for the 1989 movie Working Girl. Stepping back twenty years and becoming fraternal was the popular He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, made famous by The Hollies. Then the insecurity-ridden Drifters hit, Save the Last Dance for Me which, no doubt, brought a few memories back.

Building up to the finale the choir exchanged stepping styles moving on to the well-known When the Saints Go Marching In complete with a well-rehearsed audience lustily singing the chorus and reprise.

Tony reminded Sunday siesta seekers that no-one was allowed to sleep as the choir stood with its sole Italian member Sergio Savio to become proud compatrioti for a few minutes to deliver Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s 1926 opera Turandot. As the final Vincero! (I will win!) elicited sustained applause there was no doubt that VicWelsh had triumphed once again.

But one more winning moment was to come as the choir left the stage to surround the capacity crowd as they sang their heartfelt goodbyes with Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood, culminating in the striking shared silenzio.