On Friday 23rd June the choir was thrilled to welcome another choir from across the Severn crossing; Dursley Male Voice Choir from Gloucestershire to its hall, packed with not only the two choirs but many supporters of both.
Dursley MVC was formed in 1978 and its first concert in 1979 was a joint one with Caldicot Male Voice Choir at St. James Church, Dursley and after a period of 44 years both choirs were thrilled to repeat the event at the Choir Hall in Caldicot.
On a sultry, hot day Caldicot Male Voice Choir conducted by Sian Hatton and accompanied by John Nicholson opened with the well known Welsh hymn ‘Rachie’ followed by the spirituals ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Rock a’ my Soul’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from the musical Carousel. the latter two songs will be sung at the Royal Albert Hall next year.
Conducted and accompanied alternately by Musical Directors Barrie Cooper and Matthew Sharp, Dursley MVC opened their varied and extensive programme with African Trilogy and included in their two part performances: mining songs ‘Deep into the Ground’ from the musical Billy Elliot and ’16 Tons’; the amusing Flanders and Swann song ‘A Transport of Delight – Buses’; ‘Scarborough Fayre’; ‘Sound of Silence’; ‘Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) and finally ‘What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?’ with its many suggested cruel alternatives.
Caldicot finalised the intensive programme with ’76 Trombones from the musical The Music Man; ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ which tells of the blitz of Swansea in World War 2; ‘A Miner’s Song’ originally sung by 300 Welsh performers to raise funds for the Six Bells Guardian Miner’s Memorial in Abertillery and arranged especially for Caldicot Male Voice Choir by writers Dan and Laura Curtis; ‘This is the Moment’ from the musical Jekyll and Hyde and of course ‘Mae hen Wlad fy Nhadau’, the Welsh National Anthem.
Both Choirs combined on stage to relive the 1979 experience by jointly singing Gwahoddiad, a Welsh hymn of American origin, conducted by Matthew Sharp and Morte Criste, conducted by Sian Hatton.
Four members of Dursley MVC will be meeting up again with Caldicot MVC when they sing at the Festival of Male Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2024.
This was a wonderful evening, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone which also included the presentation of a hand crafted slate plaque to Dursley concert secretary Simon Bilous by Caldicot’s chairman Graham Hughes.
Many thanks to the choir supporters who provided the copious refreshments for both choirs and to all who made this wonderful evening possible, not least the bar staff and those who set out the hall and cleared up afterwards. Also thanks to Colleen Gauntlett for the photographs on this post.
Caldicot Male Voice Choir is seeking an accompanist to join the talented and friendly musical team. If you think you can fit the bill, please contact the choir’s secretary, Ken Cooper by e mail: secretary@caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk He would be delighted to hear from you.
