Choristers up close - Keith Davies
Keith Davies
Section - Baritone
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I had just finished with the Lyric Musical Society (formerly Graig Operatic) in the November of 2004. I was speaking to a very good friend of mine, RMC chorister, Keith Thomas, about looking to join a choir. He said I should come along to Risca Male Choir as they are always looking for new members. He suggested that I came along to one of the practice nights.
I turned up on a Sunday and was met by the late Gwyn Tovey who was the Vice Chairman at the time, and the rest, as they say, is history.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
It will be seventeen years in January 2022. I stayed because of the friendly welcome I received, the friends that I have made and the diverse types of music which is so varied and testing.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I like all types of music. Some of my male choir favourites are Llef, Gwahoddiad and Y Tangnefeddwyr (Welsh hymns and anthems). These remind me of growing up in Trehafod and singing them in Chapel.
For many years I sang with local operatic societies and enjoyed shows such as Aida, The Merry Widow, Passion Flower, (an adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen), Kismet, South Pacific and The Mikado. These I enjoy as they are reminders of my foray into treading the boards in the Dolman Theatre nearly 30 years ago and subsequently working with the Welsh National Opera as part of the community chorus. I also enjoy the challenge of singing in different languages as it’s always good to learn new things as I get older.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
There have been numerous memorable moments. They include my first concert with RMC which was a concert performance of Verdi’s opera Nabucco at the Risca Leisure Centre. Then Carbon 12 with the WNO, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (the Choral) with Bryn Terfel as one of the soloists. However, the most memorable moment for me would be singing at Auschwitz during our tour of Poland and Austria.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir.
I am originally from a little village called Trehafod in the Rhondda Valley. I moved to Bassaleg when I married my wife Susan in 1972. We have two children and three grandchildren. I worked on the railway from 1958 until I took early retirement in 1999.
I like all types of sport, particularly playing football and cricket. Unfortunately, age finally caught me up with me, and I now play bowls and darts.
A final thought, if you have one
I hope that we can get back soon to singing in concert again safely.
