On Saturday 28th January, the Choir was thrilled to perform its first concert of the year at Magor Baptist Chapel to help raise funds for Kidney Research UK. The Choir was pleased to learn that the concert raised over £1600 for the charity.
To a full house, the choir opened with ‘Cwm Rhondda’ and followed with a mixed programme, conducted by Sian Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson, ranging from Welsh pieces ‘Rachie’ and ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ followed through the evening with favourite ‘Benedictus’, contrasted by ’76 Trombones’, Garfunkel’s ‘Sound of Silence’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Make you Feel My Love’ with chorister Leon Jones on guitar for both. Included in the early pieces was the popular, well known hymn ‘When I Survey the Wondrous’ Cross’ written by Isaac Watts.
‘Shenandoah’ was followed humorously by Australian folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and perhaps inappropriately in the Baptist Chapel a German drinking song ‘Diridonda’. The spiritual Rock a my Soul had the audience tapping their feet and joining in. The Choir rounded off its final performance with ‘World in Union’, the theme song for the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
The guest artiste for the evening was Glenna Parry accompanied by her husband Gavin, Glenna opened with ‘Lascia chio Planga’ from Rinaldo by Handel and this was followed by a trio consisting of herself, Sian and Shirley Anne to sing ‘Lift Thine Eyes’ from Elijah.
These were contrasted by Glenna including in her evening’s repertoire, ‘The Hills are Alive’ and ‘Edelweiss’ from the Sound of Music and Gershwin brothers’ ‘I Got Rhythm’, followed by Kern and Hammerstein’s ‘Can’t help Lovin’ dat man o’ mine’ from the musical Showboat. Glenna was joined by Sian to sing the amusing ‘The Cat’s Duet’ by Rossini then the ladies rounded off their performances with the trio performing ‘Three Little Maids from School’ from the Mikado.
Fundraiser Jenny Griffiths and the whole audience were thrilled with the Choir’s and Artistes’ wonderful and varied performances and deemed the concert a resounding success.
The Choir then retired to the nearby Wheatsheaf Inn for light refreshments and an amazing ‘Afterglow’ which resulted in a new recruit, Keith Gibbs.
