A concert was given by the Griffon Choir at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, on Sunday, as part of the 2005 Summer Music programme under the direction of conductor John Harrison, who was compere, with guest accompanist Juliet Rossiter. The choir always sing a varied programme of music to cater for all tastes and this was appreciated by the audience. Three Choruses from Gloria by Vivaldi was the triumphant opening, followed by contrasting pieces of Bruckner's 'Locus iste', Stainer's 'God so loved the world' from the Crucifixion and Thompson's 'Alleluia'. Two Welsh songs, 'Wel Bachgen Ifaanc Ychwyf' and 'Can Hela'r Dryw', were well performed by baritone Lyn Childs, the humour of which did not escape the visitors in the audience. The choir followed with Besig's 'As long as I have music' and returned to musical numbers from Bernstein and Gershwin, 'Tonight', 'I got plenty o' nuttin', and very fitting for the evening, 'Summertime'. Two Irish songs followed, 'Down by the Sally Gardens' and 'I'll rock you to rest', sung sweetly by soprano Dawn Homfray, before the choir returned for Psalm 23 by Goodall, better known as the theme music from the Vicar of Dibley. Troyte's Evening Prayer with words from Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood was sung unaccompanied by the choir, who then by contrast burst into Swahili for Siyahamba that put nice smiles on the audience faces. There was, however, still time for the moving hymn 'How great Thou art', to complete a most enjoyable evening. The choir's next concert is in Milford Haven on July 4 for the Alzheimer's Society.
