Prior to Caldicot Male Voice Choir’s attendance at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2024 it was joined by a number of choristers from Dursley Male Voice Choir, who were also attending the Royal Albert Festival to rehearse at Caldicot for the event.
As a result Dursley were invited to take part in a concert at Caldicot Choir Hall in May 2023. To reciprocate, Caldicot were invited to perform with Dursley Male Voice Choir at Dursley Methodist Church on 22nd March to open the Bicentennial Celebrations of nearby Cam Methodist Church and to aid the Cam Methodist Church restoration fund.
To a full house, conducted by Barrie Cooper and accompanied by Matthew Sharp, Dursley opened the concert of twenty one items with among others the popular ‘Sloop John B’, ‘Danny Boy’ and the foot tapping ‘When the Saints go Marching In’.
Caldicot’s introductory performance, conducted by Musical Director Sian Hatton, Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Olivia Dance the repertoire included ‘Cwm Rhondda’, ‘Give Me That Ol’ Time Religion and featured ‘Nothing Like a Dame’ from South Pacific and patriotic ‘O Gymru’ exalting the beauty of Wales.
Following the interval, Caldicot continued to a delighted audience with items including ‘Bring Him Home’, Ryan Davies’ song ‘Pan f’or Nos Yn Hir’, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from Carousel and the musical hit ‘This is the moment from ‘Jekyll and Hyde. The programme included the choir’s premiere of the Flying Picket’s chart topping hit ‘Only You’.
Dursley finalised its contribution with another four songs which included ‘Gonna Build a Mountain’, ‘Sky Boat Song’ and the emotional and moving ‘Bui Doi’ meaning ‘Dust of Life’ from the musical Miss Saigon. It tells the story of vagrant war babies left behind from the ending of the Vietnam War.
The amazing and fitting concert closed with the choirs combining to sing the John Wesley favourite, ‘Morte Criste’ and the American/Welsh hymn ‘Gwahoddiad’.
Following a standing ovation the audience and choirs knew that together they had presented a very special concert enjoyed by all.
