Choristers up close - Andrew Jenkins
Andrew Jenkins
Section - Baritone
Andrew, Blue Riband Winner at the National Eisteddfod, 2018
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I joined Risca Male Choir after being asked by the late Gerry Pritchard, several times, while visiting the Darran Pub. I used to go there on a Wednesday evening after Crosskeys College Choral Society practices. I studied at Crosskeys College previous to that, and built up a connection with the music department there, where I enjoyed taking part in choir and musical evenings under the direction of Martin Hodson. Before that, I went to Bassaleg Comprehensive School where I sang in a number of musicals: HMS Pinafore, My Fair Lady, and Oliver. I also sang with the Graig Operatic Society in a production of Showboat. I started choral singing at the age of 13 in the alto section of Crosskeys Festival Church Choir alongside my late Auntie Sheila and Dorothea Watts.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
I have been in RMC for 32 years, and it has all been thoroughly enjoyable. I joined in January 1990 and sat next to Doug Prout, George Morgan and Gerry Pritchard who made me feel so welcome, as indeed, did the rest of the choir. During that year, be it after lots of homework, we recorded Lullaby of Broadway, and toured California on RMC's second American tour. It was wonderful, and I got to know the choir members so well on that trip. I discovered so many characters that were really fun to be with and, at the same time, showed so much dedication to their singing, producing wonderful sounds, sounds that I knew were of great importance to the choir.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I like the variety of music that we sing. They say "variety is the spice of life" and here it was in abundance! Particular pieces that I enjoyed from the start were The Old Woman, Lily of the Valley, Sweet Georgia Brown, The Turtle Dove (by R Vaughan Williams in which I sang a solo part), and the spiritual, Ride the Chariot (another solo for me!)
Then there were the “big works” that Risca became well known, and much admired for. Local renowned Welsh composer, Mervy Burtch wrote the cantata Beowulf and Grendel specifically for RMC and Tredegar Town Band and included a solo part for myself, the Cherubini Requiem (with Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra), Owain ab Urien at Caerphilly Castle as part of a celebratory concert marking the centenary of Welsh composer, David Wynne, and Bristol Roads again, by Mervyn Burtch, and yet another solo part for me. These are just a selection of pieces that really suited RMC, and helped give us the recognition that we deserved.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
My mind immediately goes to singing in trio (Soave sia il vento from Cosi fan Tutte by Mozart), with Jill Padfield and Joanne Thomas at Grace Cathedral, San Fransisco: that was very special to me. In 1999, the recording of We'll Keep a Welcome with Sir Bryn Terfel and the orchestra of Welsh National Opera at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea was also a very special day. Again, for Welsh National Opera, there was the specially commissioned work, Carbon 12 and those enjoyable Sunday afternoon rehearsals at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Finally, the mammoth “Millennium Songs of Praise” and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Prayer for the third Millennium was a unique event marking the year 2000. This was one of many premier performances of works that RMC undertook.
In a very different way, I recall the visit to Auschwitz where we sang Prayer of the Children, and I shall never forget our tour party's tears afterwards, so moving was that moment. In contrast, on that same trip, we enjoyed another informal performance at the Wieliczka salt mines in that unforgettably marvellous acoustic of the underground “cathedral” carved in the salt!
Our tours gave us the opportunity to sing at some of Europe’s great cathedrals like St Stephen's in Vienna, the Mariacki Basilica in Krakow, St Thomas's Lutheran Church (where Bach’s remains are buried) in Leipzig, and the cathedrals at Arras and Ghent. Singing at the Menin Gate, Ypres, was something I found very touching.
On all these tours I was privileged to be one of two soloists, sharing the platform with my tenor friend, Henley Cegielski, with whom I was able to sing duets. These occasions were both enjoyable and very memorable.
After a Christmas show in 2003, Martin Hodson said, “Why don't you enter the baritone solo at the Eisteddfod in Newport next year, as the choir is planning on competing as well?” The Awards and Accolades section of RMC's wonderful website will explain more.
With encouragement from members of RMC music team and guidance from Martin, I was able to sing as guest soloist with other choirs, successfully compete at Eisteddfods around Wales, and was so proud to represent RMC and Wales at St David's Day celebrations in Melbourne, Australia in March 2019. The visit was organised superbly by the Welsh Church in Melbourne, in particular by Christine and her husband Fred, I hope they get to read this. The trip was a result of winning the National Eisteddfod of Wales’ David Ellis Memorial Blue Riband Prize at the Millenium Centre, Cardiff Bay in 2018.
During my visit to Melbourne, I was thrilled to meet up with a former RMC chorister, Malcolm Andrews, who had emigrated to Australia. He was a member of the Melbourne Male Choir, and I had been invited to sing as a soloist with them in a concert. Malcolm and his wife, Chris, were very kind to me, and I very much enjoyed my time there.
No prouder moment for me was on the Thursday after the National Eisteddfod in 2018, when I walked into RMC HQ wearing my Blue Riband medal. Standing ready was our in-house photographer, Trevor Baker, and Julie Bevan, our former accompanist was also present to greet me: a very special moment for me indeed.
In 2017, I brought out my CD "Jenkins the Voice", with great help from Martin and our recording engineer, John Rogers. These are still currently available. It contains 21 tracks of live concert performances, 9 of which are from our famous Christmas theme shows. The CDs sold particularly well in Melbourne.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
I have a loving and encouraging partner in Cherie, who is now enjoying retirement. We have been together for over 20 years. I have a son, Oliver. Cherie and I very much enjoy musical theatre shows. When my brother, Robert, lived in London, we could catch a bus at the end of his road that took us into the heart of the West End, and it was all fabulous, as he also had connections for tickets! We have enjoyed quiet holidays in Austria and Southern Spain, in Isla Canela, and look forward to more of the same in the near future. I enjoy walking very much around our local areas, come rain or shine, I’m there. I used to play cricket as a youngster for Newport Fugitives with lots of school friends. Our next-door neighbour, Norman Drewett, was Chairman at the time: a good reason for me to make the effort to play!
I work full time as a Switchboard Advisor for Company SSCL (currently working from home), taking calls for all the Government run HMP Prisons in England & Wales. In my job I speak to professionals from various sectors like Probation, Hospitals, Police, Courts, Solicitors and many families of inmates that require a caring voice and assistance. Empathy and patience are certainly required for this job, and I hope I offer this service to the best of my ability.
In 2019, I was a finalist in the prestigious Welsh Contact Centre Awards as “Advisor of the year”.
Previously, I worked in sales for 26 years in the Photographic and Hotel Leisure sectors.
A final thought, if you have one
I do, indeed. Being part of RMC has given me so much joy, happiness and truly wonderful musical experiences through my 32 years membership.
It's been a very sad last twelve months for the choir, particularly with the passing of much respected members, and indeed great friends to us all. But, as they would have wished, I want continuance in seeing RMC move on under the direction of Tomos who has worked very hard with us. I know that young people have commitments out there, but nothing different to what I had when I first joined. I would encourage anyone interested in singing and music making, to join this wonderful organisation that is Risca Male Choir. Keep Wales singing, I say!! It has given me fulfilment and a sense of wellbeing in my life that I never could have imagined.
My association with RMC has also brought a great deal of pride and enjoyment to my family.
