What a superb audience Tenby Male Choir had at its concert in St. Johns Church, on Tuesday last.

Everyone was in summer mood after a very hot and sunny day and they streamed into the church as soon as the doors were opened, all looking forward to a wonderful way to end that lovely day.

They were not disappointed, and the comments from the audience as they left, confirmed their delight and enjoyment. "What a fantastic evening," was one comment, "This concert has made our holiday," was another, and so on.

Welcomed to the church in Welsh and English by an elder of the church, the concert was compéred from then on by David Blackmore, who introduced the choristers, their accompanist Jill and MD Ian.

Getting off to their usual rousing start by singing a Welsh hymn, the choir continued their first set with favourites from this season's repertoire, until it was time for soloist Paul Varallo to sing a couple of numbers. In his training for the New York marathon, Paul's voice seems to have become more powerful, and the audience really enjoyed his solos.

Guest artist for the evening was Lily Whitehurst, the very talented young violinist, who played recently in a Tenby Male Choir concert and was a huge success.

Lily, the previous weekend, was the winner of the Year 7-9 string players in the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Cardiff. Lily played in the Millennium Centre, Cardiff, and won out against all the other string players in that age category.

At St. Johns, she played several numbers that she'd played in the Urdd competition. In her first set, Lily played the emotive 'Ashoken Farewell' and, in contrast, 'Brahms Hungarian Dance'. Her applause was deservedly very loud and long.

As one visitor told me later, "my mates at work will never believe how much I enjoyed classical music when I tell them what I've experienced tonight."

The choir returned to present some of the newer items in their repertoire for this year, including 'O Gymru', the Welsh song in praise of Wales, 'You were always on my mind', the beautiful, romantic ballad which Tenby sing so well, and MD Ian Williams's rearrangement of 'Bring him home' from 'Les Miserables', which reminds all of us so much of Dave Flanaghan who made it his own for so many years.

When the choir went for their second break - and they needed it as the heat had built up in their ranks, so much that one could see the perspiration on some brows - Paul remained to sing in Italian, 'Idealé' and in English, 'Bless This House'.

Paul's solo items were followed by Lily's second set. Accompanied by her mother Rebecca, who herself is a very fine violinist, Lily played the theme tune from the film 'Schindler's List' and Czardas. She played so beautifully, that I was not at all surprised when many people on their way out at the end of the evening, commented especially upon Lily's contribution to the evening. "How wonderful the violinist was, and only 14!" exclaimed one man, "That young girl will go far", said another, and one lady, who had been too late coming to the concert to get one of the programmes, but who was thrilled when I found one for her, rushed to get Lily's autograph!

In this final set, the choir sang three items, ending with 'The American Trilogy'. When David, as usual, invited onto the stage area anyone who wished to join them, history was made, when a lady walked up to the front. This had never happened before! No doubt it was down to the fact that David omitted to exclude ladies in his invitation as is usual!

As elder of St. Johns Church, Mrs. Neate, in conveying her thanks to everyone for making the evening such a success, congratulated the lady concerned, and shook her hand. There was a round of extra applause for soloist Paul, for guest artist Lily, for Jill and for Ian and a final long applause, which included many people standing and calling for encores, for the choir, before Mrs. Neate asked people to stand and sing the two Anthems. At the end, people still applauded and as they left, were full of many compliments.

On Thursday, June 4, Tenby Male Choir sang for the holidaymakers at the Giltar Hotel. Many of the guests were eager to hear the choir again. They also had a treat when Eddie did his comedy turn, which caused uproarious laughter.

During the concert, the president of the Lions Club presented Tenby Male Choir with a cheque for £1,000, which was a splendid surprise for many of us. This money is to help the choir with their up-front costs when they record their new CD in the winter (October-November) period. It costs many thousands to produce a new CD and this £1,000 donation will be of great help to the choir, who raise thousands of pounds for all sorts of charities, but comparatively little for themselves.

The idea is that, hopefully, next year, the choir will give a concert for The Lions, as a quid pro quo.

Tenby Male Choir's next big event will be tomorrow (Saturday) when they sing in a combined choir with Dowlais Male Voice at St. Mary's Church, Tenby. This should be a very special occasion. Notices will be up in town giving the start time and cost, and the men will be rehearsing beforehand, in the church. After the concert, there will be the usual 'afterglow' celebration at the County Club, which is a treat in itself.

Tenby Male Choir sing again in St. Johns on Tuesday, June 16, and their final concert in June is on Thursday, June 25, in St. Mary's in aid of the Harriet Davis Trust. This wonderful little local charity does such good work for the families of disabled children that it deserves to be fully supported.

Contrary to the impression given in the last short article about Tenby Male Choir, the choir is always ready to welcome men who can sing, but who do not necessarily read notation! Over the last year or so, there have been a large number of new members of varying ages and from all walks of life. As I've said before, singing in a choir is a great way to enrich your life, physically, socially and spiritually! So, if any man out there wants more information, contact Eric on 845117.

M.N.