Photographs by Colleen Gauntlett. Left click on the images to enlarge
On Saturday 14th December about 60 members of Caldicot Male Voice Choir were pleased to make their way down a rain and windswept M5 to sing once again at the magnificent Temple Methodist Church in Taunton. This time the request came from the Rotary Club of Taunton to help raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West. Our previous visit was in April 2013 to support the Mayor’s appeal for Leukaemia and Lymphoma research.
Following introductions by Rachel Davies, President and host Ian Ramus both of Taunton Rotary, conducted by Shirley Anne James throughout the choir opened proceedings with an eclectic mix of Llanfair a rousing Welsh hymn, May You Always Have a Song, Somewhere Out There from the animated film ‘An American Tail’ and What Would I do Without my Music.
We were then treated to wonderful soloists from local schools and colleges including Eyra Norman, an incredibly talented 15 year old soprano from Wells Cathedral School who delightfully sang ‘Gretchen am Spinnrade by Schubert and contrasted with ‘I feel pretty’ by Bernstein. Eyra was followed by 15 year old, Queen’s College bass baritone Gregory Steward skilfully singing ‘This nearly was mine from South Pacific. The first half soloists contribution was completed by ‘The step sister’s lament ‘ from Cinderalla’ amusingly and tunefully sung by 12 year old Ellen Steward of Queen’s College in full musical costume.
The Choir’s next two sets either side of the interval included many of its favourites including Laudamus, recently introduced A Miner’s Song by Dan and Laura Curtis and California Dreamin’. Anthem from Chess included a new organ contribution by Stephen Berry as well as piano accompaniment from John Nicholson. The choir was delighted to include, as an addition to its programme ‘Morte Criste – When I survey the Wondrous’ Cross at the request of Taunton Rotary Club which also included organ accompaniment from Stephen. The choir’s versatility was amply demonstrated to an appreciative audience with contrasting pieces such as the Lord’ Prayer by Malotte, Yfory – tomorrow in Welsh, The Pearl Fishers’ Duet by Bizet and American Trilogy made famous by Elvis Presley.
A fourth soloist Georgia Blackwell, a 19 year old formerly of Taunton School but now studying at Bristol University further enhanced the evening with ‘Vedrai Carino’ from Don Giovanni and ‘One More Kiss’ from Follies. All the soloists were accompanied by Andrew Carter who, now retired has performed in many European venues from Moscow to Gibraltar. Eyra returned to the stage to conclude the soloists performances with ‘Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio , an extremely challenging piece by Mozart and wonderfully demonstrated her vocal talents with her rendition of the fast moving ‘Ching-a ring chaw’, by Copeland.
How could we follow those performances, but we met the challenge with Rachie (I bob yn sy’n ffyddlon’) the tune of which is often sung ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ in English, the many recorded 2002 hit ‘You Raise Me Up’ which truly lifted the audience even higher, Eli Jenkins’ Prayer from under Milk Wood sung to Troyte’s chant (who incidentally came from near Taunton) and finalising with the fast moving, foot tapping pace of ‘Rhythm of Life’ which brought many of the audience to its feet in appreciation.
The evening performances finalised (many of the audience joining in) with ‘Mae hen wlad fy nhadau’, the Welsh National Anthem sung by the choir to the arrangement by Dr. Haydn James, musical director of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The wonderful evening closed with votes of thanks and presentations to all contributors by Rachel Davies including what must be the largest bouquet of flowers ever presented to Shirley Anne – thoroughly deserved for a night of tremendous hard work both at practice in our Choir hall in Caldicot and on the evening.
Many thanks to Ian Ramus for organising and hosting the concert at Taunton and to Graham Joll also of Taunton Rotary club for arranging the design and printing of the splendid posters, fliers and concert programme. We mustn’t forget the members of The Inner Wheel for providing the appreciated refreshments during the interval.
Video clips of some of the performances of the evening can be found on You-tube. Just enter Caldicot Male Voice Choir on the search bar of You-tube to see them. Alternatively click on the link ‘Pearl Fisher’s Duet’.