Choristers up close - Howard Morgan
Howard Morgan
Section - Bass
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
Well, actually I joined twice! The first time was in 1972 when the choir was still in its infancy being just 2 years old. I was working in Llanwern at the time, and was mates with a few of the men who were already choristers, amongst whom were namely Gwilym Owen and Gerry Pritchard. I was placed in the top tenor section and sat next to Terry Richards. Both Gerry and Terry are still with RMC! It wasn’t long before I was moved to the 2nd tenor section as I was finding the 1st tenors too high for me.
The problem being then that I was very heavily involved in local rugby. I was active with Crosskeys Rugby Club on the admin side, and also doing some coaching with the youth team. So in 1974 I left.
Ten years later, (1984) I was working in Alcan, and again, it was a chorister who persuaded me to make a comeback! I remember attending a preliminary round of the Male Choir of the Year Competition which was being held in Cwmcarn Leisure Centre. I could tell immediately that the choir had come a long way since I left, and I was bowled over by the performance. That chorister who twisted my arm was Trevor Baker, and the rest is history!
This time, I was placed (by Martin) in the baritone section! But hold on, that’s not the end of the story. In 1986 we were preparing for our first trip to California and were a bit short of basses to make a balanced choir. Yes, you guessed it! After a chat with Martin and a listen to my low notes, I was placed in the bass section! I remember Martin saying, “How on Earth did you ever sing top tenor??” I’m sure that makes me the only chorister to have sung in all four sections of the choir!!
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
Apart from the initial period of 2 years from 1972 to 1974, I have now been with RMC since 1984, some 36 years (38 if you include that first stint).
First and foremost, the choir is a fraternity, we share a comradeship, and being with the group is a huge part of my life. It’s where we can experience together the highs and share the lows. I really enjoy the whole aspect of the work we do. I enjoy the challenge, working hard, particularly with some of the difficult music we’ve performed, and achieving outstanding results. And I enjoy the banter and fun we have in rehearsals and on tours: we work hard and we play hard!
Singing has always been a part of my life, and as a boy treble (many years ago!) I was a chorister in St John’s Church, Gowerton (my home town), and even won a first prize at a local inter schools’ Eisteddfod singing the Welsh folk song Y Deryn Pur!
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I pretty much like everything we sing, whatever you put in front of me, I’ll always give it my best shot!
Singing the Cherubini Requiem has to be high on the list of favourites as well as the Verdi Requiem, both with orchestra: absolutely wonderful! I also love working with brass bands and have enjoyed many occasions of working with the famous Woodfalls Band.
I really enjoy the contrast of then singing all the wonderful arrangements we have when we perform our theme shows featuring music of a less serious kind. A particular favourite of mine is Martin’s arrangement of Into the West which we sing in our Movies show. I’ve got that one lined up for my funeral!
An all-time favourite of mine, that we’ve been fortunate enough to sing on many occasions, particularly at Annual Concerts, is the Prisoners’ Chorus, O Welche Lust! from Beethoven’s opera, Fidelio. I just love the bass part; it’s so satisfying to sing!
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
I’ve really loved the “big occasion” concerts singing in great venues like Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Naumberg Cathedral in Germany, and the Menin Gate in Belgium. Nearer to home there were Salisbury, Wells, St David’s and Exeter Cathedrals, and the famous Hexagon in Redding, and so on!
I’ll tell you a funny story that happened at the end of the Menin Gate last post ceremony. My late, great friend, Gordon Holley and I were walking away from the gate when we were approached by a gentleman. He wanted to congratulate us on our part in such a wonderfully moving event, and then asked if we’d been in the war together!! For those of you that knew him, you can imagine Gordon’s face!
I was lucky enough to be with the choir on all three tours to California, leaving me with long lasting wonderful memories of music and friendships. We stayed with families on all three visits, and my room-mate was always Trevor Baker. We were sometimes hosted with families that were rather sober non-drinkers, but then we also had some great times with those that liked their beer, as did we! In Redding, in Northern California we drew the winning ticket when we were hosted by Bob who actually owned a bar!! And we fondly remember our times staying with Ed and Marge Fraser, now sadly no longer with us. Ed acted as tour organiser for our second and third visits.
It was on the first tour that I learned the “clapometer” test! We were to sing in the historic Carmel Mission and went to investigate the church. Martin walked into the centre nave and clapped loudly a couple of times! He said he was testing the acoustics! After that, I took it on as my job, and did the test wherever we went!
I must also include here a memorable moment that was denied me! It was the 1988 Eisteddfod in Newport which we entered for the first time. We worked really hard on the two, very difficult and demanding test pieces and had brought them to competition standard. I was so looking forward to the day, but fell ill with a very bad chest infection, so preventing me from being there for that magic moment when we won! That’s why you won’t see me in the photo!
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
Apart from the choir, rugby has been a big part of my life, and indeed, still is. As a boy, I had my schoolboy’s cap for Wales under 15s. In addition, I was chosen to go through to the final trial of the under 18s Welsh Youth Team. Unfortunately, I sustained a serious knee injury during the game, preventing me from the chance of gaining my Welsh cap! I also played for Glamorgan Youth.
I have a large family with 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren! Some of my grandkids also play rugby and are involved with local youth teams.
I don’t have dogs now, but previously I always did have dogs and enjoyed walking them. Now I walk my daughter’s dogs.
Lastly, I also manage an allotment and grow everything you can eat, no flowers, but lots of veg! My runner beans are plentiful and delicious! During the summer, I’m on the allotment every day.
A final thought, if you have one.
I’m really so very glad I was persuaded to re-join the choir in 1984. As I’ve already said, it’s a big part of my life and it gives me great joy, fun and friendship, in addition, of course, to the music itself!
I always remember what an old friend of the choir and ex-chorister, Paul Salathiel, once said; “Being part of the choir is like playing rugby without getting hurt!” In other words, you train hard twice a week, you play the matches to win, and then, if I can repeat a word I used earlier, it’s a fraternity, a family with music at the centre.
