Photographs by Colleen Gauntlett and Tia Hughes. Left click on the images to enlarge.
Well, you were told in advance that this would be a fabulous concert and one which you should all come along. So it proved and those who were not there missed a real treat. The evening presented a varied programme which demonstrated the remarkable skill and diversity of the Choir and reflected all the hard work done by the choristers and Musical team to provide such a range which included several new pieces.
Conducted by the Choir’s own expert musicians, Siân Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Stephen Berry and John Nicholson, the Choir’s sound was amazing and each of its eighteen items in a packed programme were sung to arguably perfection which thrilled and delighted a near packed house of over 400. The new members of the choir are really coming into their own. Well done all of you.
The programme was a mix of old and new, from Welsh hymns such as Llef, Gwahoddiad and for the first time Aberystwyth, to pieces from the musicals including On the Street Where You Live, The Lady is a Tramp and The Way We Were. The spiritual Ride the Chariot featured soloists Siân Hatton and David Gould and O Gymru included Tommy Hole as soloist. A highlight of the choir programme was the nine minute competition piece ‘Crossing the Plain’ with its wonderful mixed cadences of tone and pace. Now a firm favourite, A Miner’s Song was received to huge acclaim and appreciation as were ever popular Eli Jenkins’ Prayer and the foot tapping Rhythm of Life. The choir also wonderfully premièred it’s version of The Impossible Dream from the musical Man of La Mancha, although none of us tilted lances at windmills.
Not only was the choir superb but the evening was uplifted by the incredible performances of The Three Welsh Tenors of Rhys Meirion, Aled Hall and Aled Wyn Davies conducted by the incredible skill of Caradog Williams on piano. These were amongst the best artistes that we’ve ever had the privilege to invite.
Each tenor has his own particular style which has been blended together to give a superb exhibition of tenor singing at its best. Opening with a medley of Welsh favourites Cwm Rhondda, Myfanwy and often sung by the choir, Rachie the trio included a mix of songs from the world of classical music such as O Sole Mio and Ar hyd y Nos, West end shows and not forgetting their invitation to the audience to sing a selection, including Calon Lân, Sospan Fach and Delilah, of songs more often heard at Welsh Rugby Internationals. These were joined in with such enthusiasm and gusto by audience and choir alike that it would have been worth two tries at the Millennium (or should I say Principality) Stadium. The tenors included a composition called Gwynllian by Caradog Williams, Some Enchanted Evening, a fantastic rendition of When You Walk Through a Storm and finally completing their fabulous performance with the iconic Nessun Dorma, made famous by another tenor trio.
The Choir was delighted that the Three Welsh Tenors joined them for the third verse of the favourite hymn of Charles Wesley, Morte Criste, ‘When I Survey the Wond’rous Cross’.
The whole programme was delightfully introduced and compèred by the lovely BBC Wales presenter Lucy Owen who led us through the evening’s itinerary flawlessly and smoothly. In the same programme as seventy men, to quote Lucy, ‘it was the best Saturday night she’d had for a long time’. Thank you Lucy for a wonderful presentation.
The evening was finalised by a number of awards, not least Honorary Vice President and Lifetime Achievement Awards to Bass Chorister, David Scott, Baritone Doug King and retired President Richard Evans but also a long service certificate and silver badge as award for 25 years continuous service to David Kirton. The presentations made by Musical Director Siân Hatton and John Griffiths AM were capped by the magnificent award of a certificate and a Bass clef badge in solid gold to Bass chorister John Evans for completing 50 years unbroken service to Caldicot Male Voice Choir. The only previous recipient of this award was made three years ago to second tenor Colin Jones but there are a number coming up to complete 50 years in the next couple of years.
The evening concluded with short walk to the Choir Hall for a little light refreshment and an enthusiastic Afterglow enjoyed by everyone. We were pleased that Lucy Owen and last year’s compère Rebecca John joined us for a short while for autograph signings and ‘selfie’ photographs.
Many thanks to all who set up the hall and the Leisure Centre and cleared up afterwards and to the bar staff who did a splendid job of keeping us all well watered.