Tenby Male Choir gave a wonderful Easter Sunday Concert for St. Johns Church last Sunday.
It had been a lovely Easter day, beginning with the dawn service on Castle Hill at 6.30 am and continuing with a very full and lively 11 am service, at which retired minister Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head had officiated. It was a specially joyful service for Nanette as she welcomed eight new people into membership at St. Johns, and inducted two new elders into the church, as well as re-confirming three, previously serving elders.
In the evening, when people began to gather outside the church doors at 7.15 pm, it provided a clue to the esteem and popularity of Tenby Male Choir at this very special concert, which begins, not only their season of concerts, but contributes to a most satisfying end to a happy day for Christian peoples.
Mrs. Mollie Neate, on behalf of the elders of the church welcomed the audience and the choir, and then compére David Blackmore conducted the evening, introducing MD Ian and accompanist Jill.
It was clear that the 140-plus people present had been really looking forward to the concert. Their applause was loud and prolonged after almost every item, and the final piece in the first section, Bui Doi from 'Miss Saigon', proved to be a very moving piece, as was witnessed by the absolute silence immediately after it was sung, and the loud applause which followed.
David then explained about the choir's forthcoming visit to the Royal Albert Hall and said that the choir wanted to give a flavour of what they would be singing there. So the next piece was a beautiful arrangement of 'What would I do without my music' by Alwyn Humphreys, who will be conducting the 800 or so voices at the Albert Hall concert.
Paul Varallo was choir soloist for the evening and he began with 'Some enchanted evening' and then sang a lovely Welsh lullaby, 'Huna Blentym'.
The next piece was again, an Albert Hall piece, 'O Gymru', a rousing testimony to the love of the Welsh for their dear little homeland. Beautifully harmonised and sung with gusto, this was one of those 'spine-tingling' pieces for any Welsh person.
The next two pieces, David said, were for the ladies and Tenby Male Choir sang two romantic ballads, which were, indeed loved by many ladies present: 'She' and 'Always in my Mind'.
'You'll never walk alone' and 'Climb every mountain' were combined in a very neat and clever way, with the second piece, having been arranged by MD Ian Williams, having a new and complex harmony which was most interesting and enjoyable.
The next item was dedicated to one of the two choir members who died last year; David Flanaghan. Dave was 85 when he died last spring, but was singing solos that same January at a concert at New Year. His favourite piece was 'Bring him home' from 'Les Miserables' and this had been re-arranged for the whole choir by Ian. The excellent dynamics added to the mood and drama of the piece.
After this piece, David announced a congregational hymn, and everyone stood to sing 'Blaenwern', which was accompanied by Mrs. Sheila Noot, one of St. Johns' organists. It was very well sung, and in harmony, as it is so well known and loved.
When Paul returned to sing two more solos, David mentioned that Paul had hoped to run in the London Marathon when the choir are up in London for the Albert Hall concert, as he wants to raise funds for Alzheimer sufferers. Having been turned down for the London Marathon, Paul then successfully applied to run in the New York Marathon. David asked that anyone who wished to support Paul's efforts could contribute to a bucket collection at the door on the way out.
Indicative of the audience's enjoyment of the evening and the generosity of their spirits, Paul managed to collect quite a tidy sum to start off his charity appeal.
Paul sang in Italian, 'Ideale', and then 'Bless this House', which was clearly enjoyed by all.
In their final set, the choir sang four old favourites and then invited any visiting chorister to join them for 'Morte Christe'. There were three volunteers (though one might have been a 'pressed man'!) Mrs. Neate gave the choir a vote of thanks, which was heartfelt and supported by the audience in a very long applause.
David announced the two anthems and all stood to sing in a rousing finalé of the evening.
How good it was to hear so many wonderful compliments from people who visit Tenby at Easter year after year, and make this concert a must in their itinerary. One man spoke of coming down at Easter and coming to the concert every year for the past eight years. This year, he said, had been especially difficult for the family with him, as they had lost several loved ones, and they wondered if they could bear to come to hear this wonderful singing and not be moved to tears. However, he said, they had coped with the poignant pieces, and had enjoyed it tremendously. He remarked, as Mrs. Neate had done, that the choir gets better and better all the time.
It was also a theme echoed by others, and it was good to see the sponsorship by 'The Fourcroft Hotel' on the front of the programme. It is recognised by some businesses, that cultural activities are one of the important features for many people when choosing a holiday. In addition, the concert raised over £560 for St. Johns Church funds, the beginning of a year where Tenby Male Choir will raise thousands for local charities.
The choir is growing, with 42 in rehearsal last Thursday, and 41 staging on Sunday evening. But there is always a welcome for any new man. Rehearsals take place every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 8 pm at The County Club, The Croft, Tenby.