Caldicot Male Voice Choir will once again take part in the Festival of Massed Male Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall on 27th April.
As part of the preparation it took part in a rehearsal at the Coleg Cymenudol yr Dderwen in Tondu on the 3rd March immediately following its St. David’s Day concert at Redwick.
Attended by over 400 choristers from all over South Wales and parts of England they were put through their paces by conductor Alwyn Humphreys, accompanied by Caradog Williams by practicing all the songs that will be sung at the Royal Albert Hall.
As a reflection of all the hard work done previously at local practices under the guidance of the local musical directors, the rehearsal was a great success and proceeded smoothly right through to the end, although ‘Kwmbayah’ needed some intensive work to reach perfection.
The next practice will be again at the College in Tondu on April 14th and Alwyn has dictated that copies of the pieces will not be allowed, so much work still to do!
On Saturday 2nd March Caldicot Male Voice Choir was delighted to be invited to perform its St David’s Day concert at the beautiful, historic and ancient church of St Thomas at Redwick in the marshes south of Newport. The concert was arranged to raise funds for the much needed Church restoration project.
The site has been a place of worship since Saxon times and over many hundreds of years the Grade 1 listed building has seen many additions to its form and structure, even surviving a great flood in January 1607 which drowned over 2000 people.
Hosted by John Evans, of the Church Council included in two short intermissions a brief history of the Church and an appreciative description of the choir and its achievements.
The Choir, conducted by Musical Director Siȃn Hatton and Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James, accompanied by Olivia Dance and John Nicholson, gave a varied performance from its wide repertoire including Welsh hymns, songs from musicals, Spirituals, rousing ‘African Prayer’, the ever popular ‘A Miner’s Song’ and the wonderful poem by Waldo Williams ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ to a near full house of an appreciative and enthusiastic audience which has asked that the Choir return for a repeat performance.
The Church, with its unique historic architecture, high vaulted ceiling and incredible acoustics provided a wonderful venue and makes a return a distinct possibility.
Early in the morning of 27th February Caldicot Male Voice Choir slowly made its way along the M4 to perform at an exhibition of Food and Drink at the Tesco Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City at the request of the Welsh Government’s Food Division. This is responsible for promoting Welsh Food and Drink in Wales, the UK and internationally.
Its vision is to create a strong and vibrant Welsh food and drink sector with a global reputation for excellence, having one of the most environmentally and socially responsible supply chains in the world.
Conducted by Siȃn Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Olivia Dance making her concert debut since joining the choir in January, the Choir performed two sessions in the atrium of the headquarters and included Welsh favourites; ‘Rachie’, ‘Anfonaf Angel’, ‘Y Darlun’ and ‘Cwm Rhondda’. Also included among others were ’You’ll Never Walk Alone’; ‘World in Union’, ‘African Prayer’ and ‘A Miner’s Song’, appreciated and applauded by all who were there.
To complete the theme of Welsh Food and Drink, the second part saw the choristers uniquely and appropriately resplendent in bright red Welsh aprons but fortunately they weren’t involved in any cooking.
Following the exhibition, the choir made a welcome return to the George Inn at Lambourn, where it had sung only two weeks before, to partake of further refreshment provided by the landlord and provide the local residents with another round of ‘afterglow’ singing led by chorister David Gould.
It was a fabulous but exhausting day out for the choir and thoroughly enjoyed by all who made the trip. May we do so again?
The Choir was privileged, humbled and proud to be invited by Helen Pipe to sing at the Memorial Service of her brother Andrew Merton Jones at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn, Berkshire on 15th February 2024.
Andrew was the son of the late Colin Jones, a former chorister who served over 50 years in the choir. Andrew had a great love of horses and as a young man moved to Lambourn to become a stable hand in Lambourn where he lived the rest of his life.
The Memorial Service, presided over by Revd. Julie Mintern and its content were arranged by Andrew himself and he was keen to revive memories of listening to the choir with his father and he specifically asked that the choir sings ‘My Grandfather’s Clock’ conducted by David Gould and ‘Eli Jenkins’ Prayer’ from Under Milk Wood conducted by Shirley Anne James and accompanied on the church organ by John Nicholson. Both pieces were enthusiastically received and appreciated by a full church in attendance.
In the congregation were Andrew’s sister Helen Pipe and his mother Margaret. Helen gave a fitting and moving tribute to her brother by relaying memories of their childhood together. Hymns included ‘Morning has Broken’, ‘Blaenwern – Love Divine, all loves excelling ‘ and ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ to the tune Cwm Rhondda, well know to all Welsh Male Choir.
In the words of Revd Julie Mintern the memorial arrangements brought together three families, Andrew’s own in Caldicot, his Lambourn family and the community family of Caldicot represented by Caldicot Male Voice Choir.
Following the service, the choir retired to the George Inn opposite the church to a warm welcome and traditional afterglow singing enjoyed by all who took part.
Harry shares a laugh with Wynne Evans and Alex Jones at Caldicot Castle in 2016
The Choir was deeply saddened to learn from his partner, Hazel that much loved and respected chorister Harry Giblin, known affectionately as ‘H’ passed away at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff in the morning of Monday 5th February 2024 at the age of 79.
The choir paid a tribute to Harry with a minute’s silence and the singing of ‘Gwahoddiad’ at practice on Monday.
It was at the concert in Catbrook 6 years ago that he met his partner Hazel to later form a partnership that lasted until his death. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Hazel, his daughter Victoria and both Harry and Hazel’s families and friends at this very sad time.
Harry had been struggling with illness for some time but nevertheless regularly attended practice at the Choir Hall and at concerts; his last, alongside Hazel, was singing Christmas Carols with the choir at The White Hart Inn in Llangybi on December 15th and at the Two Rivers Hotel, Chepstow on December 21st shortly before his admission to the Grange Hospital.
Born in Pillgwenlly, Newport in wartime 1944, Harry led a full and active life including working as a gantry crane driver at the giant Llanwern steelworks before moving on to social work where, following his attainment of University degrees in Social work he rose to a prominent management position providing for the needs of the elderly, particularly in hospital and care homes.
In his youth he was a Rugby player in Newport and he was keen to reminisce his days as a player alongside the likes of International players such as Brian Price, Stuart Watkins, David Watkins of Newport and Wales fame in the sixties and seventies. His Rugby interest continued when he became coach of Caldicot’s Junior Rugby team.
Harry joined the choir in 2015 as a baritone and his first concert was at St. Peter’s Church, Oakford in Devon alongside new choristers Liam Evans, Sam Atkins and Rob Baldwin. Proudly, Harry hardly ever missed a concert or practice since he joined and loved every bit of being in the choir, adding in his words, much joy and happiness to his life.
Harry was a true gentleman and much loved by all the choir. With a cheeky grin, twinkling, mischievous eyes he was always willing to share a joke, pass on an anecdote from his life and partake of a dram or two with his fellow basses and baritones.
Harry shares a laugh with Wynne Evans and Alex Jones
Harry shares a laugh with Wynne Evans and Alex Jones
Harry shares a laugh with Wynne Evans and Alex Jones
Harry’s first concert at Oakford alongside Liam Evans and Sam Atkins
He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in Peace dear friend. Gorffws mewn heddwch.
Caldicot Male Voice Choir has sung in many prestigious events and venues including International Sports Stadia, The Royal Albert Hall, (to which it will return on April 27th this year), huge Cathedrals and Churches and Concert Halls throughout this country, the USA, Canada and across Europe, not to mention the National Eisteddfod stage, but few of these compare to the wonderful welcome and enthusiasm for our singing given by the villagers of Catbrook, high up and hidden in the dense forests of the Wye Valley. Venues such as these remind us of the humble roots of the great tradition that is Welsh male voice singing.
After an absence of 6 years due to Covid restrictions, the choristers wound their way on two buses through the long and winding forest roads (again in the dark and rain) to arrive at the small Catbrook Memorial Hall to entertain an audience of about fifty villagers who always greet the choir with a warm and encouraging welcome.
Conducted by Siân Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson, the programme not only included songs such as ‘Anfonaf Angel’ and ‘Benedictus’ written by Robat Arwyn but also included contrasting performances of ‘African Prayer’, ’16 Tons’, ‘A Miner’s Song’ by Dan and Laura Curtis, ‘Yma O Hyd’ by Dafydd Iwan, ‘Cwm Rhondda’ of course and ‘Bring Him Home’, ’76 Trombones’, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and ‘This is the Moment’ from various stage shows showing the versatility and variety of the Choir’s singing repertoire. A solo performance was also made by Siân Hatton who recited the humorous two verses of the poem ‘The Lion and Albert’ by Marriott Edgar much to the delight of the enthusiastic audience.
The concert was followed by a traditional ‘Afterglow’ in which choristers and the audience are entertained by a mix of unaccompanied choir singing led by John Nicholson
Once again, the choir left to the plaintive strains of ‘On the bus, on the bus’, with the hope that it will not be another six years before it will return.
Olivia at the Choir’s Christmas Party in the Choir Hall on December 1st 2023
Following the retirement of hugely missed Stephen Berry in late 2022 and choir accompanist since 2007 it has been a long and difficult effort by the choir to find a comparable replacement . Tribute must not only be paid to Stephen for his dedicated service but also to John Nicholson who has done a terrific job in holding the fort in difficult circumstances since Stephen’s retirement.
However, at the end of the year the choir was incredibly fortunate that Olivia Dance, daughter of chorister Nick Dance who lives locally in Caldicot, accepted the offer to become the principal accompanist for the choir. Together with her father she has thoroughly enjoyed joining in with the choir’s activities since Nick first joined in January 2023.
Olivia was born in Oxford and began piano lessons at the age of eight. Performing in festivals, competitions, and concerts during her childhood inspired her to pursue music.
After completing her school studies at Henley Sixth Form College, Olivia was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Professor Stephen Savage.
Whilst at the college, she won the Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Pianist Prize and was awarded the Clifford Hartley Prize for showing great commitment to her studies.
Olivia was fortunate to be mentored by James Bailleau, Julian Jacobson, Kathryn Stott, Leslie Howard, Phillipe Cassard and Stephen Hough. Olivia gained a B. Mus. 1st Class Honours and in 2020, she graduated from the RNCM with a Master’s degree in Music. In the same year, she returned to her family home in Wales where she currently teaches a broad array of piano students, works with St Briavels school choir, accompanies Serenata Ladies Choir, and performs for care home residents and people living with dementia as part of outreach projects run by Wye Valley Music in Monmouthshire.
She enjoys performing a wide range of musical styles, has an ongoing love of art song, and indulges in jazz when she can. Some performance highlights include an appearance at the Wigmore Hall in London performing Mark-Anthony Turnage’s ‘Two Elegies Framing a Shout’, a concert of Norwegian song in Bergen, Norway, and a performance at Gloucester Cathedral in conjunction with the Three Choirs Festival.
Olivia has played for the choir on a number of occasions in 2023 and to a very warm, welcoming reception was thrilled to accompany the choir as a full time member of the team of Musical Director Sian Hatton, Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James and fellow accompanist John Nicholson at its first rehearsal of 2024 on January 8th. Olivia, together with the choristers are all looking forward to a long lasting and happy association with Caldicot Male Voice Choir.
On Thursday 21st December the choir closed its seasonal Christmas programme by making its way to the Two Rivers Hotel for the first time to present the regulars and diners with a selection of Christmas Carols and Songs.
Conducted by Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson the choir included favourites such as ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Casatschok’, the Johnny Mathis favourite ‘When a Child is Born, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’, ‘Silver Bells’, Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’ ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and ‘A Christmas Medley’ which included Jingle Bells as a finale. The patrons were invited to join in to sing alongside the choir with carols ‘Away in a Manger’, ‘O Come all ye faithful’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’.
This was the first time the choir had visited the hotel and hopes to be invited again next year. The carol singing was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present.
In 2024, as well as its popular Annual and local concerts the choir will be appearing in the Festival of Massed Voices at the Royal Albert Hall on April 27th and returning to St Andrews Church in Harrow in May after an absence of ten years.
Meanwhile Caldicot Male Voice Choir wishes you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda.
Lyn stood in the middle of the road to take this while Ben looked out for traffic (far left).
Mentioned in the poem ‘Usk’ by T.S. Eliot, the 15th century, family run White Hart Village Inn in Llangybi once owned by Henry VIII and part of his dowry to Jane Seymour, has in its long history echoed to the sound of the chants of Cistercian Monks and to the tramp of Cromwellian army boots. Nothing however has compared to the sounds of Caldicot Male Voice Choir when it turned up to entertain the patrons and diners with its Christmas carolling on Friday December 15th.
Standing with their backs to an ancient 15th century fireplace, complete with a Priest hole’ the choir, conducted by Sian Hatton and accompanied by John Nicholson entertained with a collection of songs and Carols recently performed at its concert with St Briavels School. The programme included ’Joy to the World’; ‘When a Child is Born’; the Christmas hit ‘Silver Bells’ sung by so many including Bing Crosby, Matt Monroe and Perry Como; the ancient carol, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’, the Russian drinking and dance song ‘Casatschok’, the iconic hit of Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’; a Christmas medley which included ‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, ‘A Child is a King’, finalising with ‘Jingle Bells’.
Included was a range of community carol singing, including seasonal favourites ‘O Come all Ye Faithful’ and ‘Away in a Manger’ enthusiastically joined in by regular patrons and visitors alike,
During the break in performances the choir was treated to a fabulous feast of festive refreshments provided by the proprietor, Khaled Shalaby. Many thanks for inviting us and looking after us so well.
The evening was rounded off until time to go with a session of ‘Afterglow’ singing thoroughly enjoyed by all of the late night diners and village regulars.
(I think when T.S. Eliot refers to a white hart he’s talking about a deer behind St Cybi’s Well, not the pub).
Group photo of the children in and around the cake.
As a first ever initiative a Christmas party was held for the children and grandchildren of choristers of Caldicot Male Voice Choir on Saturday December 16th in appreciation of the sacrifices the families make by supporting their men as choristers. With two practices a week as well as about 20 concerts and events each year a great deal of time is spent away from their families to practice their hobby.
Weeks of work, thought and effort went into the organisation by Jayne and Rob Stallard and Lyn and Colleen Gauntlett. The party on December 16th provided fun, laughter and joy to the 25 children and their parents and grandparents.
The afternoon included a range of activities which included making cards, calendars and Christmas hats, splat the rat (made by Ron Powell), hit the naughty elf, skittles, face painting by Irene Quelch and ball games. The highlight was when Santa (thank you Stuart Parry but don’t tell the children) paid a visit to hand out appreciated gifts for all the children.
Santa’s visit was followed by copious amounts of party food thoroughly enjoyed by the children and adults alike, finalising with the cutting of a special Christmas cake made and donated by Colleen.
The party was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, children and adults alike, who all expressed a wish to repeat it again next year. Better ask Jayne, Rob, Colleen and Lyn.
Naturally all the balloons were taken home by the children. Many thanks to Ron Powell and Leon Jones for helping to set up and to those parents who helped clear up afterwards.