Choristers up close - Barrie East
Barrie East
Section - Bass
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
In June 2015 I was at my wife’s niece’s wedding at Bryn Meadows Golf Club. She was getting married to one of RMC’s chorister’s son, Chris Trew (his father was baritone, Steve Trew). The choir was in attendance at the wedding and I enjoyed the singing so much that I asked another member, bass Bryan Totterdale, how to join. He suggested that I come to a practice on the following Thursday, which I did. And so I joined and never looked back!
We realise that you’ve only been with the choir for a relatively short time, but what are the things which have helped you stay so far?
I very much enjoy singing, but it’s also the camaraderie and then many friendships formed that have helped me stay to this present time.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I enjoy most of what the choir sings, particularly including Anfonaf Angel and Calon Lân. I also enjoy Gonna rise up singing, it’s a good “pick me up” and I think most of the choir as well! And I love singing Cwm Rhondda, it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end! It’s a lovely piece of music
What do you think you might look forward to in the future, perhaps having heard from longer serving choristers of memorable moments in the past?
The many concert we perform I always find enjoyable. In particular, and very early in my time with the choir, I was fortunate enough to sing as part of RMC on a tour to The Lake District. I enjoyed the boat trip in the day on Windermere, and the joint concert in the evening.
I also particularly enjoyed our annual theme shows, When you wish upon a star, and RMC Sings the Shows: Brilliant!
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir
I worked at Diamonds Quarry in Risca, then at Adams Quarry also in Risca, and then finally at the Machen Quarry; approximately 30 years all told! The last 8 years I was a Foreman Fitter in charge of a 5 man, 2 shift crew. I retired from Machen and worked for 10 years at the Cardiff Gate B&Q store. I finished working there because of ill health after complaining to my Doctor about back pain! It was eventually discovered that I had prostate cancer which had travelled to my right hip and second vertebrae in my spine.
At the moment, I have 3 monthly injections in my tummy and take 2 tablets a day. I had chemo therapy and radio therapy and I’m happy to say, things are under control.
When I was about 16, I formed a group which became the backing group at Cwmfelinfach Workman’s Hall for all the big groups that played there. This included Wayne Fontana and the Mind Benders, The Who, Freddie and the Dreamers, amongst many others!
At one point, I had the band booked to go to Germany for a 3 month tour, but they decided they didn’t want to go! That was the end for me, and I decided to stop playing. I was the rhythm guitarist and singer at that time. Prior to this, we had travelled to Bristol for the famous TV talent show, Opportunity Knocks with Hughie Green: sadly, we were not successful.
My wife, Patricia, is very supportive of my singing, I suppose it gets me out from under here feet!! But she has also enjoyed our trips away. We have three children, all grown up and working. My daughter went to Cardiff University and has been a school Head of Year for ten years now.
A final thought, if you have one
I’m a bit worried about losing our MD, Tomos and getting a new MD! I trust my health will hold out to give me many more years in the choir.
