Tenby Male Choir was joined by the oldest male choir in Cornwall called Marazion Apollo on Saturday night at a concert held in St Johns Church.

Formed in 1904, the visitors are based in the ancient charter town of Marazion, which is close to Penzance and faces the famous St. Michael’s Mount. Despite the poor weather conditions, a good attendance heard the concert start with a joint rendition of Rachie, followed by Anthem from the musical Chess.

Marazion Apollo took the first section. Their musical director is Kate Cattran (pictured) and she was supported by accompanist Stella Pendrous. The first song was appropriately Hymn to Apollo by Gounod, followed by a variety of others, including You Raise Me Up and Do You Hear the People Sing from the musical Les Miserables.

The next section before the interval was taken by Tenby Male Choir who included firm favourites such as Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, the lovely gentle Shenandoah and then finally African Prayer, which they sing in three different languages.

Proceeds from the concert was split between St. Johns Church and Wales Air Ambulance.

Tenby Male Choir started the concert off after the break with the lively Rhythm of Life, which excited the audience and expressed the energy and variety of songs in their repertoire.

I got the impression at this stage that an element of competition was in evidence because with Working Man and then the classic Grandfather’s Clock, the choir seemed on top form, especially seeing the visiting male choir performing all the actions required.

Not to be outdone, Marazion Apollo came back with cornish sea faring songs – Away from the Roll of the Sea and then a slightly piratical rendition of The Sailors Chorus.

To counter My Grandfather’s Clock, the visitors changed their programme to include There is Nothing Like a Dame from the musical South Pacific, much to the delight of the audience.

The concert ended with a joint contribution including Gwahoddiad and the lovely Morte Criste. With the visiting choir singing The Song of the Western Men also know as Trelawny, which is a cornish patriotic song, the concert concluded with Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau or Land of My Fathers.

Jim Cornwell