Tenby Male Choir sang to a much smaller audience at St. Johns Church last Tuesday, than they had at the Royal Albert Hall in London, three days before.
It was good to see the support from a number of choristers' wives, as well as people obviously on holiday.
Welcoming the audience and introducing the choir, MD Ian and accompanist Jill, David Blackmore commented upon the previous weekend in London and its success.
In their first set of six pieces, Tenby Male Choir sang several old favourites and ended their selection with 'Bui Doi,' the very moving piece about the children of Veitnam, 'born of strife' and being called 'the dust of life.' It provided an excellent finish to this section.
Paul Varalla, second tenor, then sang two solo items, before the guest artist of the evening, Lily Whitehurst, was introduced. At 14 years of age, Lily is a very accomplished violinist. A Greenhill school pupil, and a pupil of Jim Walker, Lily comes from a musical family. Indeed, her mother Rebecca plays in the Mezzin Quartet with Jim Walker, and came on Tuesday evening to accompany Lily on piano. A member of the school, county and three counties orchestra, Lily is also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Very recently, Lily won the West Wales heat of the Rotary Young Musician of the Year and was to enter as a finalist at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff this weekend.
Her first piece was 'Schindlers List' by John Williams and anyone who has seen the film will know what an evocative piece of music it is. Secondly, Lily played 'Cyardas' by Morti. Both were much applauded.
The choir returned to sing 'O Gymru' with much fervour, and then combined, 'You'll never walk alone' with 'Climb every mountain' as a two-piece, which worked well. The following song, dedicated to the memory of Dave Flanaghan, was 'Bring him home,' and it was rather special to have Dave's son in the audience.
'Always on my mind' was the next song, a lovely ballad linked with Willy Nelson and Elvis, and the type of romantic music that Tenby sings so well. This mood was continued with the singing of 'She.'
Paul returned to sing 'Ideale' and 'Bless this house', before Lily came to the fore to play a wonderfully dramatic piece called 'Praeludium and Allegro' by Kreisler. Strongly and confidently played, this demonstrated Lily's expertise on her violin. These pieces, she said, would be played at the final of the competition. Tenby Male Choir wish Lily every success.
The last set of three songs from the choir, two of which were sung in London, sent the audience home with some wonderful sounds.
Thanking the audience for coming, David announced the National Anthems, the Welsh Anthem always looked forward to, by visitors to Wales.
Tenby Male Choir's next public concert is at St. Mary's Church on May 19. This is in support of Christian Aid, a very worthwhile charity. If anyone is interested in seeing or hearing the choir, it can be found on the web, as well as at the County Club.