The lads were on top form when they performed to an international audience at St. Mary’s Church in Tenby on Thursday. Whilst waiting for the choristers to come into the church from Church House where they assembled, Dave Blackmore told everyone that the basses were adjusting their toupees and securing their dentures. Oops! Sorry Dave, you told me not to write that! Their programme is becoming more varied after rehearsing new pieces during the winter months. They performed Anfonaf Angel (Guardian Angel) for the first time in public. This is a very emotional song which has been adopted by Welsh Air Ambulance as their anthem. It was an addition to the planned programme and I know that a few of the choristers were anxious that they might forget the words. This is because neither the choir nor Ian Williams, our MD, have music and words in front of them when they perform. There was no reason to worry. Their rehearsals had obviously equipped them well and yet again they proved what a strong unit TMC are. It is a shame that new choristers are slow in coming forward to join the choir as they are a good team and the social events are enjoyed by choristers, family and friends.

Visitors from many parts of the world, from as far north as Norway and as far south as Australia were treated to a spectacular range of music and the emotional response of the audience was tangible. Two ladies from Colchester in Essex had come to Tenby specifically to attend a TMC concert because their friends had said how good the choir was and that they should not miss the chance to hear them sing. They were really happy that they had decided to do so. They said it had made their holiday! Many of the audience had tears in their eyes when they sang Bring Him Home from Les Miserables and Ian Williams’s clever arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah produced audible gasps from some listeners.

It is always good to see loyal local fans supporting the choir and this evening was no exception.

Audience participation is always encouraged and thanks to a visiting group from Hong Kong, including a member of the Welsh Male Choir, where Ian Williams was once the MD, Climb Every Mountain gained the best audience response to date. The mood of the evening was lightened when the audience were given instructions on how to join in with My Grandfather’s Clock. They did this brilliantly and there was much laughter at the end of this song. There are a number of solo instrumental pieces in this item and in the past there have been some embarrassing hiccups, like the time when Gordon couldn’t work out which end of the duck whistle to blow and when to blow it! I do believe that this performance was flawless, possibly for the first time.

Our soloist for the evening was Paul Varallo. Paul is a staunch member of TMC and he works hard to extend his repertoire . We were treated to an emotional performance of Send In The Clowns and Music Of The Night, as well as Stars from Les Miserables and Myfanwy. Paul also told us that he is in training to compete in a half marathon in October to raise money for Cancer Research. Many of the audience were happy to donate money for this as they left the church.

Our MC David Blackmore did a sterling job entertaining the audience with his ‘witty?’ remarks, Ian Williams our MD kept the choir in good order and our accompanist Jill Williams (no relation) worked effortlessly to support the choir and Paul’s solos. Dr. John Harrison accompanied the choir on the church organ when they performed American Trilogy bringing a whole new dimension to this musical evening. The choir were also joined for this final number by two choristers who were in the audience, one of whom is a longstanding friend of the choir from The Midlands. Jeff is a long-time supporter of TMC and he and his daughter were both in attendance that night. The other chorister was from Talgarth MVC and next year they would like us to help to celebrate their 50th anniversary. As they joined us last year to celebrate our 40th anniversary, hopefully, we will be able to repay the compliment. A lovely American lady told another chorister that it was the best £8 she’d spent and suggested that we should be charging £10!

The choir will next perform at St. Mary’s Church on July 5 where they will be joined by a very talented violinist, an ex-Greenhill pupil, Naomi Hunt.

Please visit our website at www.tenbymalechoir.org which has details of our 2018 programme, photographs and videos of the choir in concert.

Di Mumford