Manningham Uniting Church, Templestowe

It was a treat to go to Templestowe to present a Saturday afternoon concert in the wonderful performance facility of Manningham Uniting Church. The opening Welsh bracket consisted of Cwm Rhondda (Rhondda Valley), with the audience enthusiastically singing along with the Songs of Praises chorus. This was followed by

Ar Lan Y Môr (By the Seaside) extolling the natural beauty of Wales before the well-known Gwahoddiad (Invitation) with the English verse sensitively sung by Rushan.

Compère John White then introduced the music team of Lorna Ogilvie and Rushan Hewawasam before the next bracket, opening up with Pacem (Peace) with a very melodious solo by John himself. Next was another Latin piece, Benedictus (Blessed) by the contemporary Welsh composer Robat Arwyn, who has recently been visiting Melbourne, and a new song with a beautiful melody, Y Darlun (The picture).

Tenor Drew Hopkins and baritone Roger Bartlett then combined a dy Ddoniau (You and your Skills) on Ti, which was very well received. Next came the iconic Amazing Grace and the multilingual African Prayer before Rushan rehearsed the eager audience in their duties at the end of the following song, the famous When the Saints Go Marching In with this special arrangement by John Rutter.

He then explained that today was quite an emotional day for the choir as both Roger Bartlett and Lorna Ogilvie would be retiring and that this would be their last concert. As a swan song, Roger stepped forward to sing one of his favourites, the heart-wrenching Homeward Bound, written by Marta Keen, after which all his fellow choristers stood as a man to applaud him and salute his outstanding contribution as a soloist and duettist over 28 years. With many moist faces amongst the assembled company, heightened emotion continued with the next song What Would I Do Without my Music. This was followed by Hafan Gobaith (Haven of Hope), originally sung by Bryn Terfel as a fundraiser for a children’s hospice in Wales. Next was another tearjerker, also by Robert Arwyn, entitled Anfonaf Angel (I will send an Angel) with an arrangement by Ilid Anne Jones, whom the Melbourne Welsh church has invited to conduct their March 1st 2025, Cymanfa Ganu at St Paul’s Cathedral. VicWelsh is also very much looking forward to meeting up with her again as our guest conductor for our March 2nd St David’s Day Concert at Alexander Theatre, Monash University.

With his tongue firmly in his cheek, John White advised everyone that there had been an outbreak of criminal activity around the locality, and this needed to be urgently sorted out. Cue tenor Geoff Roberts and bass Geoff Serpell as they donned their kepis and humorously performed the classic Gendarmes’ Duet to much laughter and acclaim.

Rushan then took the mic to talk about the influence our past musical director Faleiry Koczkar (who was in the audience and who had retired at the start of this year after 30 years) and Lorna (26 years) had had on him as a singer and a musician in his 12 years with the choir. He particularly wanted to focus on Lorna on this special day, which he then proceeded to do by accompanying himself while singing and directing the words and sentiments of the famous Bette Midler song Wind Beneath My Wings ” to Lorna. In a very touching moment, just before the finish, Lorna moved to the high end of the keyboard to play a mini duet with Rushan and the two of them hugged with, again, the entire choir giving her a tearful and heartfelt standing ovation.

Once everybody had composed themselves, the compère introduced two songs by Australian composer Paul Jarman. First was the work Land of My Song, which we had commissioned from Paul, with the soloist for this number Bendigo baritone John Adams. This was followed by Paul’s most famous song about the eponymous guerilla fighter Pemulwuy with its powerful ending, which attracted extended applause.

For the finale, the entire choir started singing the Welsh National Anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) before splitting with the other half singing the unofficial Australian National Anthem Waltzing Matilda.

All choristers then moved down off the stage to surround the capacity audience to farewell everybody with Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood. When the final silence comes after this blessing, it is a given that choristers and patrons alike will remain still for a moment just silently reflecting about the afternoon’s extraordinary shared musical journey.  Today, however, was even more poignant because of the realisation that we would not be singing with our friends Lorna and Roger at any more concerts.  Sadness and joy in one afternoon.

“And to the sun we all will bow

And say, goodbye – but just for now”

Feedback comments

It was refreshing to be entertained this way after all the doom and gloom of today’s press. We enjoyed a delightful afternoon at Manningham United Church.

Love the last blessing.

A wonderful afternoon being present at your beautiful concert. Thank you.

Well done, most enjoyable. Enjoyed the group sing-along.

Loved the interaction with the audience and the variety of solos and duets. I thought the performance was wonderful! Thank you so much! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Very enjoyable concert – program and presentation.

Excellent

Thank you very much!

Wonderful performance, thank you.