After an original idea over 3 years ago from Caldicot chorister Peter Williams to hold a concert with an International theme, it finally came to fruition at the Choir Hall in Caldicot on November 19th. Delayed several times due to Covid restrictions, Caldicot Male Voice Choir was finally able to put together a repertoire of songs from around the world including a selection from South Africa, America, Australia, Austria, England, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, Spain, France and of course Wales.
The choir was conducted by Musical Director Sian Hatton and Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson. The evening was compered expertly by the Choir’s chairman Graham Hughes.
Guest artiste, Glenna Parry accompanied by her husband Gavin sang renditions from Gershwin (America) and represented Austria with songs from the Sound of Music including of course Edelweis. Spain and France were represented by Musical Director Sian Hatton singing items from Bizet’s (who was French) opera Carmen (set in Spain), Australia was represented by, what else but ‘Waltzing Matilda’. Songs from America included the choir singing Art Garfunkel’s ‘Sound of Silence’ accompanied on guitar by Leon Jones and ‘California Dreamin” accompanied on the flute by chorister Nigel Keen. Leon also accompanied the Choir singing ‘I Wanna Be’ (500 miles) to represent Scotland.
Sian Hatton, Glenna Parry and Shirley Anne James amusingly represented Japan by combining their voices to sing ‘Three Little Maids from School’ from the opera ‘The Mikado’.
Songs for each country were sung to a backdrop on the big screen behind the choir of video scenes from each country as a new venture which was greatly appreciated by the audience,
The Choir’s performances concluded with Calon Lan, Cwm Rhondda and Y Darlun as songs representing Wales.
Chorister Robert Brown was presented with a certificate award in appreciation of 25 years of continuous service to the choir by guest Jessica Morden MP.
The evening ended with the choir, guests and audience singing the Welsh National Anthem ‘Hen Wlad fy Nhadau’.