It was a very lovely evening on Tuesday, May 30, when Tenby Male Choir, with their MD Christine Shewry back in harness, gave a summer concert in St. Johns Church.
Getting off to a lovely opening with the hymn 'Gwahoddiad' - which is consistently well sung, no matter how often it is sung, the choir then moved into 'Dashenka' which they have been 'keeping on the back burner' for some time. With its lovely tempo and clear enunciation, this song is always popular with audiences as it tells the gypsy story. But it was the third announcement given by the MD which was greeted with sighs of pleasure by the visitors, 'Men of Harlech.'
To end the first set of pieces, the choir sang 'I Believe.' Choir soloist for the evening was Paul Varallo who, despite the remains of a cold and wasn't feeling 100 per cent, sang well.
Guest artist for the evening was Emily Lewis. A member of the Sixth Form (Year 13) at Greenhill, Emily is a very talented musician, playing several instruments at a high level, but that evening, she played the marimba. An unusual instrument and very large to travel around with, the choir and followers have heard such an instrument before.
Emily's playing was excellent. She was mesmerising to watch and fascinating to listen to. In her first appearance, Emily played 'Valse Brilliante' by George Hamilton Green. Emily's accompanist for the evening was Mr. Paul Rapi, Head of Music and Drama at Greenhill School and a superb accompanist, whose expertise must give students great confidence.
In her second appearance, Emily played 'Concerto for Marimba' by Paul Creston, which entailed a very dramatic introduction by Paul on the piano and then Emily rushed in with a storm of music, which seemed to continue right through the piece. Her speed of playing and moving along the instrument, her musicality and impeccable timing skills were loudly applauded and much admired.
Before the choir began their middle set, Christine welcomed to the concert some visitors from New Zealand who were ensconced on the balcony. Americans last week, New Zealanders this week, who next?
Included in the middle section was the very lovely, romantic 'She', which Christine dedicated to all ladies present.
In the final set, we heard 'Pan fo'r nos yn hir,' 'The Gospel Train,' where the melody goes back and fore between tenors and basses in a very lively way, and the unaccompanied 'Dylan's Prayer.'
Finishing with 'Morte Christe', Christine invited any visiting choristers to join the choir, and it was lovely to see Stuart Burnley come down the aisle, together with another man from Corby in Northants.
Stuart and his wife Aileen had come to hear the choir during their very limited time schedule, whilst visiting family in Tenby. Flying over from Spain to visit their children and grandchildren, and welcoming into the world their newest - 12th - grandchild, it was really good to see them. The last time most of the choir met Stuart and Aileen was when they travelled to Florence to meet up with and stay with the choir last autumn.
The evening ended as usual with the singing of the two National Anthems, and the sheer enjoyment of the evening was obvious on the faces of the audience as they strolled out into the evening air. Tenby Male Choir gave a concert on Tuesday, June 6 (report next week) and will give a concert for the RNLI at Saundersfoot Regency Hall on Wednesday, June 14, at 8 pm.
Following that, they'll sing for the Pembroke Scouts at St. Mary's on Tuesday, June 20, before having a couple of weeks of rest.
Look out for details of the harbour concerts which begin next month, weather permitting.