Wonderful Christmas Party for the Children

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.

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Choir hosts St Briavel’s School Choir for Christmas Concert

All very festive at the Choir Hall

Caldicot Male Voice Choir choristers are always thrilled to welcome a local school choir to join in with them to sing a Christmas concert and this year on Monday 11th December it was pleased to welcome the children of St Briavels School to its Choir Hall in Caldicot.

Conducted by Musical Director Sian Hatton, assistant musical director Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson; the choir presented festive favourites; ‘Joy to the World’; ‘Shepherds Watch and Wise Men Wonder’; ‘Mary’s Boy Child’; ‘When a Child is Born’; ‘Silver Bells’; ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’; ‘Casatschok’ with its noisy ending, the iconic classics ‘White Christmas’ and the delightful ‘Little Drummer Boy’.  The Choir’s contribution also included ‘The Carol Singers’, a comical parody of a group of carollers singing so badly they were arrested.

Accompanied by Olivia Dance and led by Charlotte Bishop, the children’s choir performed two parts. The first included; ‘Jingle Bell Rock’; ‘Away in a Manger’ joined in with the men of  Caldicot choir and a piece from the film ‘Nativity’ entitled ‘Sparkle and Shine’ which contained the words ‘Stand back and put your shades on because I’m about to shine’.  Wearing festive ‘shades’ they certainly did!

During the interval the children and choristers were amazed and thrilled that Santa came into the hall and was invited to join in with the choir for the rest of the evening.  Did you know that Santa is a bottom bass.  No surprise there!

The children’s second half performance included ‘Somewhere in my Memory’ from the film Home Alone followed by delightfully singing a capella ‘Shepherds on the Hills’ before finalising with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

Caldicot choir completed its performance with a Christmas Medley in which the children participated on stage to sing ‘Jingle Bells’ enthusiastically joined in by all.

The children’s choir, organised by parents among others, Claire Gilmour, Charlotte Bishop, Caroline Kingston and pianist Olivia Dance has about forty children in its rank, is self-funding, relying on fund raising events and donations and practices after school time at St. Briavels primary school.

Both the men of Caldicot Male Voice Choir and the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience of singing together and both look forward to possibly doing so again next year.

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Choir sings carols for Rogiet Women’s Institute

Caldicot Male Voice Choir is happy to sing at almost any venue, large or small and on the 5th December a number of choristers arrived at the small Church Hall in Rogiet to sing for the ladies of the local Women’s Institute.

Conducted by Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson the choristers entertained the ladies with a repertoire of Christmas songs opening with ‘Joy to the World and following on with ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’, ‘Shepherds Watch and Wise Men Wonder’, the rousing ‘Casatschok, with it’s loud ending. ‘When a Child is Born’, ‘Silver Bells’, ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and finalising with the most sung Christmas song of all time, Bing Crosby’s ‘I’m Dreamin’ of a White Christmas’.

The ladies were delighted to be invited to sing along with the carols ”Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Away in a Manger’ during the performance.

Afterwards the choir greatly appreciated home made mince pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches while quenching their thirsts with tea and coffees.

A delightful afternoon of singing thoroughly enjoyed by all and the ladies hope to see us again next year.

Another smaller venue in the New Year will be at the Memorial Hall in Catbrook and this will be contrasted with a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in April.

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Choristers Enjoy Wonderful Christmas Party and Pantomime at the Choir Hall

On the 1st December after months of planning, the Choir Hall played host to the Choir’s Annual Christmas party. Organized by several choristers in a team effort the party featured acts from a Ukelele Band, the Seranata ladies choir from Magor accompanied by Olivia Dance and individual acts from Musical Director Sian Hatton with husband Dave Gould with a hilarious double act rendering of ‘The Green Eye of the Little Yellow Idol’, followed by two songs from Andy Friedman; Matthew Johns with a solo version of Unchained Melody and the Wellerman song sung by Ron Powell in which everyone joined in with the chorus.

Enthusiastic carol singing was led on piano by Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James but the main event was a Christmas Pantomime based on a hilarious Robin Hood theme of four acts including a video made at Caldicot Castle and Wentwood Forest in October. Thanks to Leon Jones for operating the projector system.

As well as several songs by the cast during the pantomime, the party was treated to a version of ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ by chorister Stuart Parry.

The story line told of the capture of Robin Hood by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his gang, his release from captivity in the forest and Robin’s ultimate wedding to Maid Marion.

The evening continued with a raffle and, a game of ‘heads or tails’ and finalised with a humorous rendering of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ which included all the party goers.

A fabulous, enjoyable night was had by all and many thanks to all who helped organise it or took part.

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The Choir opens Caldicot’s Christmas Festivities

On a gloriously sunny but cold Saturday afternoon on the 25th November, Caldicot Male Voice Choir was pleased to accept an invitation to open the afternoon of Christmas celebrations and activities which included the turning on of the Christmas lights in Caldicot’s town centre as darkness approached.

Following introductions and invitations to join the choir by Steve Drawley, the choristers, Musical Director Sian Hatton and accompanist John Nicholson all warmly wrapped in burgundy fleece jackets and adorned with festive hats entertained the watching crowds of shoppers to 30 minutes of a range of Christmas songs and carols. Opening with the uplifting ‘Joy to the World, Joy to the World’ the singing soon brought the shoppers and children around to listen.

The varied programme continued with ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, ‘Silver Bells’, ‘While Shepherd’s Watch and Wise Men Wonder’, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’,’Casatchok’, When a Child is Born’, a delightful public premiere of ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and finalised with a Christmas medley which included ‘Jingle Bells’ joined in enthusiastically by the watching audience.

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Jayne’s Quiz Night a Great Success

On November 17th 2023 the choir hall once again played host to one of Jayne’s popular Quizzes. This time it was a Christmas Trivia Quiz where members of 7 teams put their heads together to try to answer testing trivia question over five rounds, all relating to Christmas and its celebrations.

The winning team of Ready, Steady, Go was announced after a tie break with equal scorers, the Daktari team who came closest to guessing the length of the Titanic in metres – nothing to do with Christmas but a tie break question had to be found quickly.

One of the highlights was a taste test round of Christmas puddings from various supermarkets and participants had to work out which pudding came from which shop. Comments on the tastes are reserved!

The evening ended with a raffle of several prizes to further enhance the funds raised for Caldicot Male Voice Choir with Sharon Dance claiming the last prize of a jar of pickled onions!

Many thanks to Jayne Stallard ably assisted by her husband, chorister Rob for organising what was once again a very successful event enjoyed by all. Looking forward to your next one Jayne.

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Fabulous Diamond Anniversary Concert November 4th

On November 4th Caldicot Male Voice Choir was proud to celebrate its 60th Anniversary with a wonderful concert at its choir hall.

To a packed hall of invited guests, vice presidents and supporters the choir presented an eclectic mix of songs it had performed over the decades since its formation in 1963 as well as a few not sung in public before.

These included opening with rousing ‘African Prayer’ and continuing in the first half a mixture including ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, ‘A Miner’s Song’ and new presentations of ‘This is the Moment’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Yma o Hyd’ and including ‘Ride the Chariot’ with soloist David Gould and Sian Hatton.

Guest Artiste Rachel Williams from Tredegar accompanied by Siȃn Hatton included in her first presentation songs from musicals; ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from Les Misèrables, ‘Movie in my Mind’ from Miss Saigon and ‘Memories’ from Cats.

Also included in the first part was a humorous presentation from chorister David Gould relating memories and anecdotes of the early years of the choir.

The concert was attended by invited guests Jessica Morden MP, John Griffiths SM, Cllr. Meirion Howells, chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr. Lisa Dymock of Caldicot Town Council and supporters Marjory Bartlett and Jennifer Coombes. Also in the audience were Gwyn and Margaret Jones who were also celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. The choir paid tribute to long serving chorister Peter Heslop on the occasion of his 80th birthday on the night and to debut chorister, baritone Kevin Evans.

The choir was particularly thrilled that the concert was also attended by three members, Sharon, Andrew and Joyce of retired chorister Bill Nash who celebrated his 100th birthday in January this year.

The second part opened with the well-known Welsh hymn ‘Rachie’ and concert premieres of ‘Love Changes Everything’ from Aspects of Love, ‘Down Among the Dead Men’ and contrasting with ‘Cwm Rhondda’.

Rachel delightfully followed with two further items from modern musicals ‘She Used to be Mine’ and ‘The Wizard and I’ from the musical Waitress and Wicked respectively.

This was followed by a report by chorister Leon Jones on the history of the building of the choir’s incredible purpose built choir hall, the envy of all choir’s who have visited it. Leon particularly paid tribute to the then secretary Islwyn Watkins, then treasurer Mervyn Roberts, President Richard Evans and chairman Peter Heslop without whose dedication and hard work the hall would not have been built.

The concert continued with favourite ‘Anfonaf Angel’ followed by ‘Every Time I Feel the Spirit’ first sung by the choir in 1990, the child’s prayer ‘Y Darlun’ and finalising with ‘World in Union’.

A third address was included by new chorister Owen Hammett-Johnson who joined, among ten others since January. He delighted the audience with his heartfelt feeling of initial trepidation at joining followed by the thrill of new skills learned, the joy of singing in a large group with a like-minded purpose, comradeship of course but most of all a feeling of belonging to a wonderful family of choristers. Naturally Owen put forward an encouragement to other men in the audience to join such a fabulous group.

The wonderful celebration evening of 60 years ended with presentations to the musical team of Siȃn Hatton, Shirley Anne James, John Nicholson and guest artiste Rachel Williams.

The audience and choristers went home happy in the knowledge that they had experienced a unique occasion in the history of Caldicot Male Voice Choir and are looking forward in seeing, at least in part what the next 60 years may offer.

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Choir celebrates chorister’s 90th Birthday

Yesterday 23rd October Caldicot Male Voice Choir was thrilled to celebrate the earlier 90th birthday of retired chorister Allan Saye.

Allan who lives in nearby Underwood retired from appearing in the choir concerts in 2015 but just about every week he still attends practice at the Choir Hall every Monday and Thursday evening and thoroughly enjoys singing with the boys.

Allan was an active baritone chorister for about 12 years before his retirement and continues his active support of the choir.

The evening was celebrated by Allan’s contribution of a birthday cake created by Colleen Gauntlett, thoroughly enjoyed by all and a complimentary drink from the bar for all the choristers in appreciation of the wonderful hobby, social life and support the choir has given him over many years and in return the choir enthusiastically sang ‘Happy Birthday’ as a tribute and appreciation of his contribution to the choir over many years.

The choir trusts that Allan will continue to enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of the choristers for many years to come.

Llongyfarchiadau, penblwydd hapus Allan.

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Great Rehearsal for the Royal Albert Hall Concert

Just a few photos of those I managed to catch at the Royal Albert Hall Massed Voice Rehearsals at St Julian’s High School on Sunday 22nd October. I’m sorry if I missed you but it got so crowded and we had to be in our places quickly.

The rehearsal was attended by about 250 choristers with Caldicot providing about 23. The choristers were put through their paces by conductor Dr Alwyn Humphreys including songs Laudamus, Rachie, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Ar Hyd y Nos and Kwmbayah.

This was just a selection of the 18 items to be sung next April 27th at the Royal Albert Hall in April next year by some 800 choristers.

It’s a fabulous occasion, thoroughly enjoyed by all who take part so check out the Welsh Association of Male Choirs web site to book your tickets.

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