The weeks of dedicated practice and rehearsals were finally over, suited and booted with shiny red waistcoats, we made our way on to the stage at Caldicot Leisure centre, more used to the excited shouts of sports men and women, to rapturous, welcoming applause from a near full house of over 300 loyal Caldicot Male Voice Choir fans and distinguished guests. After opening with God Save the Queen, our compère for the evening, Chris Needs of BBC Radio Wales, announced us and thanked us for singing his theme tune before opening his jacket to reveal his glittering silver tie embossed with GAY which he reassured us means ‘Good and Young’.
The audience were initially treated to the classic Cole Porter medley beginning with ‘Another Opening, Another Show’, followed in contrast with the Ryan Davies composition ‘Ti a dy Ddoniau’ which tells of the feelings of a young man spurned by his tormenting ex-girlfriend and for the first time in Caldicot, our rousing interpretation of Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’. Also for the first time ever, the choir presented Arthur Sullivan’s ‘The Lost Chord’ arranged by Stephen Berry. This once popularVictorian song went largely unnoticed until its resurrection at a memorial service in 1912 for those drowned in the Titanic tragedy exactly 100 years ago on the night of the concert. This was made more poignant in the knowledge that one of Steve’s great, great uncles, a 1st Class Steward on the ship, was lost in that tragedy. The programme continued throughout the evening, interspersed with comedy quips from Chris, and who could forget him interrupting the programme with his hilarious rendering on the piano of Ivor Novello’s ‘We’ll Gather Lilacs’ – out of tune – reminiscent of Les Dawson’s famous act? Ivor will be turning in his grave.
In breaks from the Choir’s performance, we were treated to the fabulous, deep bass voice of Huw Euron, winner of two Eisteddfod awards and well known for his part of Darren in Pobl y Cwm. Huw is also a regular member of the talented ‘Only Men Aloud’. Huw delighted the audience with his performances, including Il Lacerato Spirito, an aria by Verdi, and Y Dymestl (The Tempest) by R.S. Hughes , Vaughn William’s The Vagabond, the Welsh traditional song Mab y Môr (Son of the Sea), Stars from Les Misérables and finalising magnificently with the show stopper ‘Ol’ Man River’. Tribute must also be paid to Stephen Berry, with only short notice, expertly accompanied Huw throughout the evening.
From not only the mix of favourites ranging from traditional Welsh hymns and folk songs, Alexander’s Rag time Band, always a favourite with the audience with its’ overlapping rhythms and syncopation through to Bohemian Rhapsody, reputedly the biggest selling record of all time, to the foot tapping African Trilogy with choir soloist Jason Dawe, the programme included two very special pieces in which Siân once again, supported by the choir and conducted by Shirley Ann, showed her incredible singing talent by firstly delighting the audience with the romantic ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from ‘The Lion King’ and then after the interval, the audience were surprised and delighted with the rock sound of Freddie Mercury’s ‘Somebody to Love’ arranged by our own John Nicholson. This so surprised Chris Needs that he called Siân back to the podium with the acclamation ‘You little rocker!’ This was the first time the choir has performed this classic rock song and involved everyone from not only the choir and Siân, but it was also conducted by Assistant Musical Director, Shirley Ann James and accompanied by both accompanists, Stephen Berry on piano and John Nicholson on the keyboard. Fabulous effects John, in not only this but also in Gloria and Bohemian Rhapsody. The fabulous evening’s entertainment was rounded off by the finale including Rachie, May You Always Have a Song and again, showing our appreciation of the wonderful country we live in, O Gymru with choir soloist, Tom Hole. After the presentations to the Musical team and guest artists and thankyou speeches by choir President Richard Evans and Chairman Leon Jones, we were joined by the wonderful audience in singing ‘Mae hen wlad fy nhadau’ which just about lifted the roof of the Leisure Centre and drowned out the sporting echoes of ‘Pass the Ball to me and Foul ref! for ever.
Together with the humour, wit and unique presentation style of Chris Needs, the fine bass- baritone voice of Huw Euron, the musical team of Siân, Shirley Ann , Steve and John and not forgetting the wonderful combined voices of Côr Meibion Caldicot a superb, unique evening of entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We now look forward with confidence to a full year of succesful concerts and to the celebration of our 50th Anniversary next year.
The Choir, President and Committee were delighted to welcome the following invited Special Guests to our concert:
John Griffiths AM Welsh Assembly Government, Minister for the Environment
Maria Stevens Mayor of Caldicot
Rick Evans Station Commander, Caldicot Fire Station
Lyndon Birch Chairman, Welsh Association of Male Voice Choirs
Brian R. Hood Chairman Monmouthshire County Council
Simon Boyle Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire
Ron Stewart Monmouthshire County Councillor and Caldicot Town Councillor
Lyndon Birch, Chairman of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs said: ‘Thank you for a very enjoyable evening; a musical feast, once again to a high standard. Excellent musical team and I really enjoyed Sian’s renditions. Compliments on your selection of guest artists and compere and thanks to Leon for a very warm welcome. I look forward to your 50th celebration next year. ‘
Lyn
Photos by Colleen