Choristers up close - Hugh Williams
Hugh Williams
Section - Tenor 2
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
As a very young junior school pupil and teenager, I sang in school and competed at my local village Eisteddfod. I even won the pop group competition whilst in the 6th form! But my interest was more in sport in my secondary school, and I left music aside, much to my regret, even to this very day!
I had initially started singing again with the Newport Dragons Mixed Choir. Then, after having left that group, I really wanted to start singing again more seriously and with a local choir with a very good reputation. The choir I chose was Risca Male Choir, and mainly through local “word of mouth”.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
2021 marks my 10th year as a chorister, but because of my frequent holiday cruises I have taken many breaks along the way!
I have however, persevered, staying these 10 years for a number of reasons. Firstly, because of the obvious experience, guidance & quality of the then Music Director, Martin Hodson, who was held in high regard by the many more experienced & gifted singers in the choir than I
Secondly, because of the great variety of music sung, including those Welsh items, such as Anfonaf Angel, Y Tangnefeddwyr and Lisa Lân to name but a few. I’m a fluent Welsh speaker, so I felt a close association with these pieces.
Finally, the welcome I received from the ‘boys’, especially the 1st & 2nd tenor members, also played an important part in my remaining to this day. I must also include the understanding shown by the then Chairman, Leigh Tucker, with regard to my numerous absences from the choir (those pesky cruises!!)
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
There are too many to list, but here are just a few which reflect the great variety of RMC repertoire during my time with the choir.
Apart from the Welsh items named above I can add O Gymru, Ar Hyd y Nos, Si Hei Lwli Mabi & Hiraeth of course. I’ve always preferred the more gentle items.
The Seal Lullaby is a real favourite. The section, “Asleep in the arms of the slow swinging seas! always bringing a lump to my throat during concert performances)
Sure on this Shining night is another one: gorgeous melody & lyrics.
I can go on: Into the West, simply because I had read The Lord of the Rings trilogy way back in my teens (way before the films).
The Sound of Silence, which always reminds me of my adoration of Simon & Garfunkel: I’ve got every song they recorded & still watch their concerts on YouTube to this day!
Then, there are the more ‘rousing’ ones such as Anthem which was the school song, sung every assembly during my time as Head of Science’ at Cwmcarn GMS.
Tydi a Roddaist of course brings back memories of singing in the congregation of the Chapel at Abergynolwyn, before I rebelled against my grandmother’s & mother’s religious beliefs! Oh, those ‘Amens’!!!
Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Benedictus & Ubi Caritas just a few which remind me of the great classical music sung by RMC & that I have learnt to (almost) master the nuances of in a language (Latin) other than Y Gymraeg & English!!
I could go on!
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
These moments have included singing at local sheltered accommodation homes for the elderly (of which I’m rapidly approaching!) There’s such joy on the faces of those residents when we sing, not the highs and the adrenalin rush of performances in front of highly appreciative audiences, but nevertheless highly rewarding! It’s a thrill to be giving something back to the local community.
Then to my being part of a successful tour to Leipzig in 2013: especially seeing the German public walking into the church (Thomaskirche) to hear us sing a concert following our taking part in the mass that Sunday morning: the only Welsh male choir to do so.
Appearing as a backup group to Bryn Terfel is another event I shan’t forget. This was when we sang Cwm Rhondda at the Gary Speed Memorial Match (see photo)
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
I was brought up in a council house in a small village in Mid -West Wales, near Cader Idris. Welsh was the language ‘of the hearth’ but I was educated through the English medium.
I gained a B.Ed. teacher’s award in Physics & Science.
My first teaching post was as Head of Science in a very small Preparatory School near Silverstone, famous for its racing track, near Brackley in West Northamptonshire. I then spent the rest of my teaching experience at schools in South East Wales, Pontllanfraith & eventually Cwmcarn GMS.
I played rugby for Blackwood 2nds before the migraines I suffered during training put a stop to it. I was with Newbridge 2nd cricket team as a wicket keeper for many years, my wife helping to make & serve the teas.
At the grand old age of 24, I started playing badminton, the pinnacle of which was playing men’s doubles with Llantarnam Club and winning the Gwent Division 1 Men’s Doubles League more than once. That was playing with, & sometimes beating, Gwent County players who had been fully coached & played competitively from an early age; I was a late developer!!
I have a 3 year old granddaughter (going on 16!) & a 1 year old ‘happy chappy’ grandson by my daughter.
My daughter gained grade 8 in piano & clarinet before adding 8 flute during her teens. But unfortunately, she didn’t go on with the music!
A final thought, if you have one
NOT to end on too dour or pessimistic a note, but this pandemic & the loss of some very dear choristers during the past year, has made me far more appreciative of life in general & the overwhelming benefits of family & friends.
Hopefully we can ALL eventually return to some semblance of normality and become fully involved in one of my main loves, singing as part of Risca Male Choir in front of full audiences.
