"IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS"
– A review of Risca Male Choir’s activities at the end of 2024 by Martin Hodson MBE.
Friday December 6, Moriah Church, Risca. Memorial Service
In recent years, most particularly after the pandemic, when funerals were severely restricted, Risca funeral director and RMC President, Stephen Tom, took up with the idea of holding a ceremony, where those families and friends could come together to remember and share their emotions with a large congregation. This was done by placing a star on a Christmas tree in memory of those loved ones lost.
The hour long ceremony was a most moving and warm occasion, a celebration of a life lost. The evening was led by Stephen Tom himself, with Rev Marc Owen and Rev Tim Moody offering words of comfort. During the placing of the stars on the tree, Risca’s well-loved artists, Duality, (Sarah Jayne Hopkins and Dan Thomas), performed beautifully appropriate items, aiding a most sincere moment of reflection.
RMC sang 2 items chosen by Stephen and wife, Louisa. They were Into the West (most poignant words, so suitable for this occasion), and O! Holy Night (with soloist, Andrew Jenkins). Jeslyn Asir was the most wonderfully imaginative accompanist, and the choir was directed on this occasion by Music Director Emeritus, Martin Hodson, MBE.
The congregation sang carols, accompanied on Moriah’s organ by Selwyn Morgan.
Saturday December 7, Tesco Store, Risca. Christmas Songs for Shoppers
We always have great fun singing our vast repertoire of Christmas songs in such a situation. Not only do we add the seasonal touch to the shopping experience, but we advertise the choir, maybe entice new members along, and also raise money for charity. This time, the chosen charity for RMC is the MND Association.
MD, Matt Harrison was in charge, and Martin was at the keyboard. Choristers all looked most festive in their Christmas sweaters, and with the occasional Santa Claus hat!
Saturday December 14 , Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus. RMC in a Winter Wonderland
(Previously at The Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, Friday, November 29)
There was no doubt in my mind, that RMC’s Christmas theme show truly put us in a Winter Wonderland; a wonderland of seasonal music performed in an exceptionally professional & magnificent way!
This was the traditional end of year theme show, one of the many unique features of this unique choir. But this time with new twists that presented an extremely entertaining celebration of the festive season.
There was RMC’s well-loved sound, one of warm, vibrant hues, in an imaginative and always interesting programme devised by MD, Matt Harrison. There was variety with superbly played piano duets (arrangements of O! Holy Night, and We Three Kings) from Matt and accompanist extraordinaire, Jeslyn Asir. The Steinway was sounding grand! There was a brass and percussion ensemble adding extra decorations to the already amazing sound world. There was a chamber ensemble of voices from the choir singing the most moving Ukrainian Alleluia, and in some classy fashion! (My kind of thing!) And, of course, there was the prize-winning, burnished baritone of Andrew Jenkins. Where would we be without this star on our tree?
All was played to a large and appreciative audience, in a hall “looking a lot like Christmas” with 2 huge, glistening trees!
This was RMC showing exactly why it was crowned National Eisteddfod champions earlier in the year in Pontypridd. A triumphant evening all round!
Monday December 16, Hope Baptist Church, Crosskeys. Carol Concert
Hope Baptist Church gradually filling up
RMC had been invited by Hope Baptist Church to take part in a carol concert. This was a new event for us.
It turned out to be a most delightful occasion. Once again, Selwyn Morgan was the accompanist for the well-loved carols sung by the packed audience. We were also entertained by a young, talented singer Millie Bushel, offering O! Holy Night, Silent Night and Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
The evening was most ably hosted by the minister of the church, Pastor Matthew Bartlett. At the end of the concert, Jobe sang Irving Berlin’s classic White Christmas, with an attractive voice and sense of style.
RMC sang 5 items: Deck the halls, Do you hear what I hear? Carol from an Irish Cabin, Infant Holy, and Peggy Lee’s Peace on Earth/Silent Night. All were beautifully performed, and once again brilliantly accompanied by Jeslyn Asir. Martin Hodson conducted.
Wednesday December 18. Funeral, St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell
But this choir had not finished the year quite yet! Normally, we wouldn’t report on a funeral, but I’m making an exception in this case, just to show you the kind of work a busy choir, such as RMC, carries out.
This event took place in the beautiful church of St Edmund in Crickhowell. Once again, it was Martin who, on this occasion, directed the choir from the keyboard.
Many families like to employ the choir, not only to offer suitable solo items, but importantly, to help in the singing of the hymns, particularly if the number in the congregation is small. I’m sure there’s no need to tell you that RMC fulfilled both those duties today.The solo items were: Gwahoddiad, You raise me up, and The Lord bless you and keep you. Despite the small number of choristers, as happens on these midweek, daytime occasions, the singing was exemplary, pleasing the family and other mourners, very much indeed.
And so ends another year for Risca Male Choir; a year of outstanding events and achievements. Most of these are reported on the website (riscamalechoir.co.uk), and can also be seen on our Facebook page. Our future events are also listed on the website. We would urge you to follow us on our interesting musical journey, it only takes the click of a button to discover amazing facts about this amazing and highly successful choir. We thank you for your support this year, and look forward to seeing you and hearing from you during 2025.
Thanks to Tony Kear, Maggie Lovett, Mike Sullivan & Stephen Tom for the photographs
From all at Risca Male Choir, we wish you a happy and healthy New Year, 2025
