Last Tuesday, Tenby Male Voice Choir performed at St. Johns to a sizable audience considering the atrocious weather conditions. Dave Blackmore was again on form, immediately setting the tone for a most enjoyable evening, much appreciated by the warm audience. The choir was on particular fine form, wowing the audience with songs such as Anthem from Chess, O Gymru, a song about our love for Wales and Bring Him Home from Les Miserables. Soloist Paul Varallo also enthralled the audience with a variety of songs, including the moving Stars from Les Miserables and the well-known Bless This House. Paul certainly sets the standard in the second tenor section of the choir. On Saturday, we sang at a wedding in St. Mary's when we sang, appropriately, our version of All You Need is Love. This was the song's first 'outing' and the congregation, enthusiastically encouraged by our MD Ian Williams, entered into the spirit of the song with gusto and passion. The bride and groom, who requested the song, were absolutely delighted. On Monday evening we sang at Tenby harbour - a brief resume follows. The choir was contacted by ITV1 inquiring if it would take part in Warwick Davis's Weekend Escapes. The production team wanted a Welsh theme and wondered if Warwick and his son Harrison could experience life in a Welsh male choir. The format was agreed - Warwick and Harrison would attend a rehearsal at the Tenby and County Club, the choir's rehearsal venue, and follow it with a live performance at Tenby harbour. During the rehearsal, light banter took place between choristers and their guests. After trying some of the Welsh words, guided by chairman Terry Evans, Harrison was heard to say "Dad, I think we've hit a brick wall this time," to which Warwick replied "I'm up for it son, if you're up for it." They asked questions about life in the choir such as "do you do a voice test?' The chairman said that we do and invited Ian, our MD, to do a quick voice test. It turned out that Warwick had a superb bass voice and Harrison a natural tenor voice. MC David Blackmore and MD Ian Williams were very encouraging which prompted the production team to ask whether our guest could sing a 'solo' line. After much debate, it was agreed that Warwick and Harrison would do so. So off we went to the harbour to face an expectant audience. Our MC, David Blackmore, got proceedings underway with his usual wit and enthusiastic oratory which set the tone for the rest of the evening. After the choir sang two songs, Terry Evans, the choir chairman, invited Warwick and Harrison to sing Rachie, a famous rousing Welsh song written by Caradog Roberts. When we got to the third and final verse the Davis' duet sang the repeated Haleliwias with gusto, followed by a superb amen, which prompted the audience to give an enormous ovation. Warwick and family, including their pet dog Sherlock, stayed for a couple of songs and departed having been 'on set' at St David's since 7.30 am. The choir continued entertaining in its usual fashion, finishing with the traditional invitation to members of the audience to join for their rendition of An American Trilogy. All in all, a superb evening, with the choir's thanks going to Tenby Rotary Club for their help in making it all go smoothly. Looking ahead, we are at St. Mary's on Thursdays, August 21 and 28, finishing the month on Friday, August 29, at Cresswell Quay. As stated last week, a busy month indeed. The choir has already accepted a number of wedding engagements, but is still prepared to consider further requests. Anyone interested in booking the choir for a wedding should contact secretary Dave Stewart-Walvin on 01834 844926. Rehearsals take place twice a week from 8 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Tenby and County Club on The Croft. If you interested in joining a vibrant and very friendly bunch of 'lads' please feel free to come along and listen at any of our rehearsals. You won't regret it. There is also information about the choir on our website http://www.tenbymalechoir.org">www.tenbymalechoir.org and a Facebook account (just do an internet search for Tenby Male Choir Facebook). You can also order a CD via our website and you can get more information on anything about the choir by contacting the chairman, Terry Evans, on 01834 844256, or the secretary on the number above.

T.F.E.