Rehearsals at Tenby Male Choir can be a bit like a magical mystery tour. You might think that there would be a pre-planned programme of the songs to be rehearsed on any evening. This would allow us all to get our music sheets in order and work our way through the list of songs for that night in a relaxed manner.

Nothing could be further from what actually happens! Typically, our musical director Ian Williams will simply start the session with a statement 'one of your choice please Jill' and as we hear the first few notes of an introduction we start scrabbling for the appropriate music sheet hoping to either know the first couple of lines or to be able to get the right music out in time.

However, doing things this way really does seem to add an extra layer of enjoyment to a rehearsal session and it certainly keeps you on your toes. I suppose it's a bit like 'name that tune in one!'

The 'Jill' referred to above is Jill Williams (no relation to Ian) who is, of course, our highly-talented accompanist and very much 'the one of our choice'. Jill is the daughter of a well-known Pembrokeshire family, closely associated with local music. She graduated from the University College, Cardiff, in 1977 with a B.Mus degree, but for a number of years was a local authority officer, also teaching piano in her spare time.

Jill is now employed locally as a pianist with her musical ability known throughout Pembrokeshire and beyond, having been part of the music group 'Harmony Hye' and also an active member of the 'Pembrokeshire Music Hall Players'.

She joined the choir in March 2001 and it is very much an understatement to say she soon gained our respect as an accomplished musician. Her engaging personality and willingness to assist choir and individual choristers, outside her normal choir duties, and her eagerness to become involved in all choir activities, has made her a popular member of the choir and an inspiration to its members. On the other hand of course, how many women can regularly spend two evenings a week in the company of 25-40 prime examples of manhood?

Our first concert, the annual St. David's Day concert is on Friday, March 1, at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, starting at 8 pm. and it promises to be a really entertaining programme. If you come along you will have the chance to hear for yourself the high standard of music performed by Jill and hopefully you will also enjoy seeing super-fit men leaping on to a stage and singing.

The choir is much more than just a choir - it is a close group enjoying rehearsals, social evenings, weekends away and of course the concerts and if anyone should want to join us or just learn a bit more about the choir come along to the County Club, The Croft, Tenby on a Tuesday or Thursday evening at 7.30 or of course come to a concert and just ask one of the choir members.

A.G.K.