Choristers up close - John Watkins
John Watkins
Section - Tenor 1
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
From a young age I have always enjoyed listening to and participating in all kinds of music. My earliest memory is singing in chapel, then progressing on to starting my vinyl collection with the likes of Mario Lanza through to Ted Heath and his big band. Many years later on a rugby trip, I met chorister Alan Davis in a Masonic Club in Edinburgh whilst having a sing song one evening. He tried to persuade me to join RMC but at the time I was a member of Mynyddislwyn Male Voice Choir. After moving to Newport in 1995 I made the decision to join RMC and have not regretted the move for one second. The only regret I have is that I didn’t make the move much sooner.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
I very proudly received my 25 year plaque in November 2020. I love the diversity of the music that RMC tackles and produces, the way the music is taught and the great experiences and fantastic camaraderie that I have been part of. All of this is what sets RMC above the majority of other Welsh choirs. I enjoyed my time as a committee member, as well as now looking after transport bookings.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I enjoy all music, but some of my favourites are Bist-du bei mir (Martin’s arrangement of a song by JS Bach) and another German item we sung in Leipzig, Wagner’s Pilgrim’s Chorus from his opera Tannhäuser. Then I also like
French composer Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine. Also, obviously, the larger pieces of music like Beowulf and Grendel (written for RMC and Tredegar Town Band by Mervyn Burtch) and Owain ab Urien, (by Welsh composer, David Wynne), of which we gave the first complete performance. They were a challenge to learn, but great to be part of once mastered. One of my all-time favourites has to be The Last Words of David (by American composer Randall Thompson). Any songs from the shows are always enjoyable, especially anything from Les Misérables.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
Another hobby of John’s, but you can see he’s still working on his scales!
A few firm favourites have to be: singing in Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 1996, at the Menin Gate in Ypres, in the Mariacki Basilica in Krakow and the The Minack open air theatre in Cornwall. All hold special memories for their great acoustics, atmosphere and the pride of singing with my fellow choristers.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
At just over 17 years of age I enrolled into the Welsh Guards, where coincidentally I joined their choir and once sang for the Queen at a private banquet. On leaving the Army I married and had three daughters. I enjoyed my career as foreman/Head of Dept in Guest Keens, Parke Davis and Newport Library. My hobbies over the years have been singing, golfing, following rugby, cooking, and have recently rekindled my love of learning and playing the harmonica, which has made the lockdown periods much more enjoyable, but maybe not so much for my wife Chris!!!
A final thought, if you have one.
My hope is that sooner rather than later we can all get back together for many more practices, rehearsals, concerts and socialising. If I may, I would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to all in the choir who have helped me overcome the barriers that my eyesight loss has created, especially Lyndon Price. Lyndon for many years has looked out for me, driven me to and from practice which has enabled me to remain a member of this great choir, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
