Choristers up close - David Jones
David Jones (AKA Dai Pavarotti)
Section - Tenor 2
Dave with son Iain helping the forces by selling poppies
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I joined Risca Male Choir in 1999 after being cajoled to join by choir bass, Howard Morgan. I thought I was just going to listen to a practice, but was thrust straight away into the bass section with Howard. Then, at the half time break, I had a voice test and was placed in the second tenor section. 22 years later and I’m still there!
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
As I’ve said, I’ve been with the choir for 22 years. And the reason I stay is firstly because of the very varied types of music we sing, and the chance to learn something new at each practice. Then, because of the fellowship of other choristers, and the friendships forged. Another aspect of being a member of the choir is the travel, not only in the UK, but also overseas. With the choir I have visited France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany and Austria to name but a few! All these journeys have been very memorable.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
The kind of music I enjoy starts with The Beatles, and takes in operatic items, challenging contemporary and commissioned pieces, as well as popular music such as we sing in our Christmas theme shows.
The music I really enjoy singing includes Benedictus (Robat Arwyn), Sure on this shining night (Morten Lauridsen), and Gloire Immortelle (The Soldiers’ Chorus from Faust by Gounod). This last item we sing in French, and the choir has sung in many other languages including: German, Latin, Italian, Russian, Czech and Welsh. I enjoy the challenge of singing in the original languages of the musical items.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
Risca Male Choir has sung in many beautiful places with superb acoustics. A particularly memorable venue for me was Salisbury Cathedral where, on a number of occasions, we joined the famous Woodfalls Band for a concert. As a young soldier, I had enjoyed walking around the building many times, admiring the architecture of this huge and spectacular cathedral. Little did I think, at the time, that one day I would be singing there with the superb choir that is Risca.
In contrast, another very memorable moment for me was the concert in 2000 with a special guest soloist for the Millennium, the bass, Willard White, now Sir Willard White. His aura and stage presence were magnificent!
At the same time, I remember so well, our own soloists, Andy (Jenkins) and Henley (Cegielski) singing the famous Pearl Fishers’ Duet in a beautiful tiny church near Nottingham (St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield). It was a real “light bulb” moment for me that stays in my memory.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
I was a soldier for 22 years and served in many different countries. I trained in the Royal Medical Corps in Tidworth near Salisbury. After qualifying, my claim to fame came when I was one of a small team of medics that looked after Field Marshall Montgomery during his last years at his home near Aldershot. My other rather dubious claim to fame was, that in the 22 years of my service, I never took part in an official parade!! On leaving the forces, I went to work for the family firm, Gerry Jones Transport in Abercarn.
My interest in the forces is now satisfied by being a member of the Royal British Legion helping raise funds for the forces.
I enjoy travelling very much and have owned a caravan and a motor home for many years in which I have travelled to France and Belgium where I am interested in visiting the war graves and battle sites. A great moment for me was when the choir sang at the Menin Gate and the Thiepval Memorial in 2016.
I have been married to Val for 54 years and we have three sons, the eldest of whom also shares my passion for the forces. I met Val while in the army in Tidworth where she was an army nurse. She’s from Lancashire and had, still has, a strong Lancashire accent. Her first words to me were (in a strong Lancashire accent) “Can I borrow your teapot?” Talk about a chat up line!!
I mentioned my eldest son who trained in the army and maintains his interest in the forces, well, he is now the Royal British Legion Poppy Coordinator for our local area. He is also a standard bearer for the Risca branch of the RBL, and this year was the proud bearer of the standard at the Remembrance ceremony in the Royal Albert Hall.
We have 7 grandchildren, one of them, Finlay is a member of the youth section of Opera North in Leeds, and was selected to record a solo for Playhouse Leeds, as a backdrop to a commissioned work, Peter Pan.
A final thought, if you have one
I have loved being part of Risca Male Choir, and can only say if anyone is thinking of joining, do it, you will not regret it!
