Choristers up close - Geraint Price
Geraint Price
Section - Tenor 1
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I have always been involved in choirs from primary school, through secondary school and on to Risca Male Choir itself. An advertising poster of a concert in Crosskeys College drew my attention after I had not sung for a few years since leaving my school choirs. Researching the male choir on the internet led to me to contact Alan Davis (Secretary at the time). Following very many phone calls due to my feeling nervous of attending a rehearsal, I finally plucked up the courage and was greeted at the HQ’s door by the enthusiastic, sadly now departed, Gordon Holley.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
I joined the choir in 2009 at the grand old age of 17, and have been a member now for twelve years. During half time at my first rehearsal, I remember fondly and vividly being told after my voice test, that I was a first tenor. I was welcomed so warmly, especially by Graham Tucker and Terry Richards my mentors in the back row which became my musical home for many years after.
Throughout the twelve years to date, the wonderful experiences of choir tours such as to Austria/Poland and Leipzig in Germany, the friendships I have made across the whole choir and the variety of the music tackled and competently performed, has made my stay with the choir even more enjoyable. I sincerely hope it continues in that direction into the future.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I enjoy singing all types of music. The variety that RMC performs aids my interest. Out of all the pieces I have enjoyed learning and performing, my favourite would have to be The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard (Benjamin Britten). This piece portrays a wonderful story of war, peace and death, a full love triangle apt for today’s society and morals. When thinking about enjoyable music from RMC, no-one can fail to mention singing Verdi’s Requiem. Performing that great work jointly with a mixed choir (Coleg Gwent Chorale) and orchestra was an experience I’ll never forget, and it really opened my eyes to RMC’s talent.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
Memorable moments include our trip to Leipzig where we sung in Bach’s Thomaskirche. It was a very moving experience. However, even that cannot be trumped by the emotional, yet humbling tribute when we sung at Auschwitz.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
Outside choir my life involves mostly my vocation and true calling as a funeral director serving Herefordshire and surrounding areas.
In my very rare free time I enjoy playing the piano, and I’m an avid collector of Disney art and memorabilia.
A final thought, if you have one
The future of the choir concerns me with the lack of new members. The choir is a musical family, carrying on traditions and providing entertainment especially as it has been during the dark times of Covid. I have missed not being with my fellow choristers and their families.It’s times like these that I realise how honoured I feel to be part of my musical choral family that is Risca Male Choir, and I would encourage anyone to make the leap of faith and to overcome their nervousness and shyness as I did and join!
