On Thursday, July 28, when the weather tried hard to dampen any spirit, The Griffon Choir entertained at St. Johns, Tenby. The Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head welcomed everyone to St. Johns and greeted the choir, under the direction of Dr. John Harrison and accompanist Judy McGilloway. The appreciative audience were treated to well loved Welsh hymns 'Calon Lan' and 'Mawglan', at which point John explained that the choir would be singing music from all around the world as this and variety was their aim. The choir sang 'All In The April Evening', followed by Mozart's 'Ave Verum' and a special favourite recognised by all as the theme from 'The Vicar of Dibley', a setting of 'Psalm 23' by Howard Goodall. Soloist for the evening was choir chairman, tenor Charles Clewett who sang 'Silent Worship' from Ptolemy by Handel, followed by 'Wayfairing Stranger', and the well-known African American spiritual 'My Lord What a Mornin'. The choir, who were a little slimmed down due to holidays and other calls, then returned in holiday vain with 'As Long As I Have Music', a musical setting of Elizabethan Serenade by Ronald Binge 'Where the Gentle Avon Flows', followed by thoughts of an English countryside in 'Linden Lea'. Then it was time for the musicals with the appropriate 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess and 'Tonight' in West Side Story. Charles returned with 'Faery Song' from 'The Immortal Hour' by Rutland Boughton, a Welsh melody 'My Little Welsh Home' and 'Love's old sweet Song' to stir memories of musical evenings long ago, around the fire. The choir performed 'Non Nobis Domine' and unaccompanied 'Troyte's Chant', a moving setting to the words of 'Evening Prayer' by Dylan Thomas. John Harrison recounted a day in the 1950s when Dylan Thomas had visited Tenby Arts Club when 'Under Milk Wood' was narrated in public for possibly the first time. With so many visitors present, the choir warmed to the night with 'Myfanwy' and the moving hymn 'How Great Thou Art'. As a finale, everyone joined in the final verse of 'Siyahamba', a moment which showed how the evening was enjoyed by all. The choir, who always welcome new faces, complete their summer programme at Angle Church flower festival on Sunday, August 14. Why not go along and enjoy the evening with them?
