December 16, 2023 Crosskeys Campus Sports Hall

RISCA MALE CHOIR in a WINTER WONDERLAND

It was four years ago, in December 2019 that RMC performed its last theme show before the lockdown that was to close us down for a long time. That concert was conducted by Tomos Gwyn and accompanied by Alison Thomas.

So it was certainly good to be back in the sports hall at Crosskeys for a very special Winter Wonderland, this time directed by MD, Matthew Harrison and accompanied by Jeslyn Asir, both for their first annual theme show.

A most welcome return was made by three Risca musicians as our guests: Dan Thomas on keyboard, adding colours and effects, Sarah Jayne Hopkins on vocals, acting each item expressively, and James Harrison on percussion, always inventive and highly rhythmic.

What a difference they make to our presentation. The hall looked festive with two magnificent trees sparkling on either side of the stage, and there were plenty of eager members of the audience waiting to enjoy themselves; a good thing to see as RMC makes its come back performance. And they were not to be disappointed.

Despite this year being the busiest in its 53 year history, (some 39 engagements of one kind or another), the choir was able to put together some of its large repertoire of seasonal tunes. The choir sang to its usual high standard with a veritable tsunami of wonderful male voice sounds washing over us, and all delivered with panache and style.

I thought the quieter numbers in particular were beautifully delivered: Carol from an Irish Cabin, and the lovely Austrian carol, Still, still, still were amongst my favourites. That’s not to say that there was any lack of energy in the way that Rudolph and Wonderful Christmas Time were also sung. Those numbers giving a chance for the audience to sing along.

Sarah, superbly accompanied by Dan (of course, they are the duo, Duality) showed professionalism and experience in their chosen items. Sarah, a trained actress, scored magnificently with her very expressive performance. And, as a highlight, I have to single out Santa Baby, with the choir’s gentle “double bass” background, Sarah complete with Santa costume!

Our own music team led magnificently from the front, with Jeslyn’s accompaniments really sparkling and lifting the voices, (especially in Hard Candy Christmas!) and Matt’s stylish and confident conducting, communicating every nuance of the well-rehearsed repertoire.

I’m sure that there were many in the audience who went away with those better known Christmas melodies ringing in their ears, and hopefully, they will have discovered some of RMC’s unique items to cherish and want to hear again.

A potted history of Risca Male Choir’s unique annual theme shows.

You may be interested to learn how our theme shows came into being, read on.  

I joined the choir as MD in March 1979, and by December of the same year the choir was performing an Italian Opera Gala at the Risca Leisure Centre. The theme was opera and all the choruses, solos and ensembles were from 19th century works. The three soloists, all professional singers, were local soprano, Merril Jenkins, the English tenor David Hillman and the Welsh international baritone, Delme Bryn Jones.

The following year, the theme was one of Victorian/Edwardian sentimental music and was called Just a song at twilight. The choir was suitably dressed in tails and white tie, and music featured scenes form the operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Tickets cost £1.50!

In 1981 the theme was of sacred music, and featured a complete performance of the Mass for men’s voices by French composer, Charles Gounod. The concert was called Gloria in Excelsis Deo and featured guest organist, Huw Tregelles Williams. The performance was given at Trinity Church, Risca.

And so the pattern was set, with the first of the winter season presentations being produced in 1982, this one entitled A Partridge in a Pear Tree. The idea, and the title of the show was snapped up by HTV, and the following year, RMC spent three days recording it for a broadcast which took place on December 22nd 1983.

1983 – Glamorous Nights: a programme of show songs from 1924 to 1984.

1984 – Encore: literally items from the last three theme shows.

1985 – Back in Dixie: where a Mississippi Steam boat was recreated on the stage! The music was all Dixieland style, and included a banjo, trumpet & double bass to add an authentic touch!

1986 – Wine, women & song: What more can we say? By now the show was running for two nights, such was the demand for tickets.

1987 – A Winter Wonderland: The first by that name, and others, relating to the winter season and all things Christmassy!

1988 – Sweet & Low: A return to the earlier Victorian entertainment.

1989 – The Lullaby of Broadway: The second show featuring music theatre items. Earlier in the year RMC had recorded a live broadcast for BBC 2 called The Magic of the Musicals and which included the song, The Lullaby of Broadway which we performed with Catherine Zeta Jones.

At the beginning of 1990, RMC recorded a CD with the same name as the previous December’s show, and also gave a live performance of the same at The Dolman Theatre, Newport in July 0f 1990.

1990 – Christmas Crackers: an entertainment which needed little preparation after the October tour to California; it was a selection of items from previous shows.

1991 – Let’s all go down The Strand: As the name suggests, this was a music hall entertainment with lots of audience participation, it even featured a tight rope walking act! Six gruelling performances were given between December 1991 and March 1992!

1992 – A Merry Christmas to you: More Seasonal music under a different title. A recording of the Christmas songs was made in June and featured the children from Ty Sign Junior School.

1993 – Another opening, another show! More songs from the shows, which featured a brilliant Gee! Officer Krupke! From West Side Story, performed by members of the choir.

1994 – Have yourself a merry little Christmas: The seasonal theme returns with the title taken from the CD we had made in 1992.

1995 – On with the show! It had now become traditional to use two keyboards and percussion in our presentations, and sometimes additional instruments as well.

Also, a number of students of Performing Arts at Crosskeys took part, many of whom became professional singers later on.

1996 – Have yourself a merry little Christmas: Same name, same theme, but each time a show is repeated, we made sure that there were new items mixed in with the old!

1997 – On with the show: As before!

1998 – Have yourself a merry little Christmas: Also, as before.

1999 – On with the show, an A – Z of Music Theatre: A slight twist on the same theme! You can’t say we didn’t try!!

2000 – When you wish upon a star! A change was needed, and came, especially for the start of the new Millennium, in the shape of a Disney spectacular. Yes, a complete show of wonderful Disney melodies. Also featured at the first performance, was a marvellous set of the Disney Castle built by Gordon Holley and friends.

The years following, now settled into a pattern of the Disney Spectacular, the Seasonal theme and the songs from the shows presentation.

2006 – Risca Male Choir sings the movies: A new idea came along with music from the movies. We made sure that nothing from a Disney film or a show film is included. Here were mostly well known items from all other movies including Titanic, The Mission, The Deer Hunter and even The Full Monty!

Joining the music team were young Risca singer/actress, Sarah Jayne Hopkins, and Risca pianist, Dan Thomas, both were to become regulars at our annual theme shows.

Now there were four different shows, and right up until the present, with the exception of the lock down period, these four alternating entertainments have enjoyed great success.

The performing location had by now switched from the old college concert hall, to the new Sports Hall at Crosskeys. Occasionally, performances were given around Gwent at The Miners’ Institute, Blackwood, The Congress Theatre, Cwmbran and The Memo in Newbridge. There are CDs available of three of the shows, and you can find these on our website (riscamalechoir.co.uk) along with some videos from the Movies show.

We trust that the future will see the pattern continue, and maybe a new theme will come along some day! We hope that this end of year celebration will still thrill our audiences and give them a different style of concert presentation.

Martin Hodson MBE
Music Director Emeritus