It was good to see the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby full, to hear Tenby Male Choir and the Band of the Welsh Guards together in concert on Wednesday, October 6. The concert was one of only three being performed by the Welsh Guards in Pembrokeshire, in aid of the Welsh Guards Charitable Funds. It was a privilege for Tenby Male Choir to join this superb band of musicians, who represent the very best in military bands throughout the world. When the audience entered the pavilion, the stage was already set with shining instruments and music stands adorned with the regimental badge, and when the Guards came on in their dress uniforms of red, black and gold, they looked superb. The Band of the Welsh Guards was first formed in 1915, the same year as the Regiment, and their first set of instruments was presented by the City of Cardiff, which enabled the band to carry out the first King's Guard Mounting on St. David's Day, 1916. Then, their reputation for excellence was established. The band conductor is their director of music, Major Philip Shannon, who was appointed as their 11th director in 1998. After welcoming the audience, Major Shannon reminded everyone that it was five years since the band visited Tenby. They had recently returned from Paris and had travelled down from London only that morning. The next morning, after a stop-over at Castlemartin, the band would be going to perform at Fishguard. The concert began with both National Anthems, then got off to a brisk start with the march 'Freedom of the City' composed by a previous band director of music in 1962. Each piece the band played was introduced with interesting information about the music or the composer. After Rossini's 'The Silken Ladder', came some 'tunes from the shows' of Lerner and Loewe, all of which were recognisably popular pieces. When the choir entered, it was to stand on the floor of the pavilion in front of the stage - not an easy place to sing from. The choir sang four much-loved pieces, the Welsh 'Pan fo'r nos yn hir', two lovely ballads and the rousing 'When the Saints...' The audience showed much appreciation and delight. It was clear that many there were visitors who had not heard the choir before, and it was very good to hear people commenting 'weren't the choir wonderful' at the end of the evening. After the choir, came a solo concert piece played by Csgt. Ralph Brill LGSM. This was conducted by WOI Nicholas Johnson BA PG Dip LRSM LTCL ALCM! Then came 'Hoedown' by Copland and finally 'The Firebird' by Stravinsky, which began in a lyrical way and ended resoundingly and triumphantly. After a 20-minute interval, the band re-opened with the 'Guards Parade' by Baldwin and moved on to a selection of music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The next solo item was by Musn. Andy Mercer BMUS, who played 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square'. The choir returned to sing three pieces; a Gilbert and Sullivan piece, 'Shenandoah' and as a finale 'Nirvana', which was beautifully sung and created a storm of applause for the choir. Accompanist for the choir was Jill Williams, sitting quietly at the piano, looking dwarfed by the members and instruments of the band on stage, but who nevertheless played in her usual exemplary way. Major Shannon, on returning to the stage, paid compliments to the choir which were well deserved. The next item was an 'Impromptu on 2nd piano concerto' by Rachmaninoff. This was played by Musn. Emily Barker, who like Jill, looked tiny set against the band, but who made the music huge. Afterwards, Major Shannon announced that it was Emily's debut. This generated much (more) applause. One couldn't hear a military band without some British sea songs, and this was next on the programme. During the Hornpipe music, there was much stamping of the feet on the floor in time to the music - not least from Len H. who was on the front row! And 'Rule Britannia' was accompanied - at least in the famous couplet - by much singing. The choir returned to sing a final piece with the band and as their MD Christine remarked, she 'drew the short straw' and had to conduct both choir and band. Being none too tall herself, and on the floor of the hall, Christine had to stand way back in order that the band could see her hand directions, but 'The American Trilogy' sounded wonderful, and there were lots of calls for 'encore'. The band played 'The Rising of the Lark' as their finale and as 250 people streamed out into the night air, all comments seemed to agree that it had been a fabulous night of entertainment for £5. The concert had been arranged by Tenby and District Lions Club and in particular by their president, Keith Nixon, who also happens to be secretary of the Tenby Male Choir. Keith began his presidency in June, and this was one of his first tasks, which proved a great success for him and his fellow Lions, who were out in strength on the night. A number of people in the audience purchased CDs of the band and requested CDs of Tenby Male Choir, so Bob T. had the task of delivering these that night or the following day. An evening to remember and hopefully to be repeated before another five years elapse.
