Keith Jefferson
Section - Bass

How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?

Growing up in Risca, I have always known about the choir and a lot of the guys who sang in it.

Gordon Holley was my foreman when I worked in Llanwern, and I grew up with Steve Ramm who was always asking me to join.

Rugby was my main hobby playing and coaching with Risca RFC, it didn’t leave me with much spare time, but I did learn a fair few songs over the years, but not the type the choir sings may I add.

My wife and I then went to a concert in St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, and I think it was there that the seed was planted, what a sound and what a good bunch of boys.

 I was then invited to an open night by Phil Sargeant and Cliff Edwards (2nd tenors) and the rest, as they say is history.

We realise that you’ve only been in the choir for a relatively short time, but what are the things which have helped you stay so far?

I have been with the choir for 4 years and it was decided that I would be best suited in the Bass Section. I was then introduced to my mentor, Leigh Tucker, who has been a fantastic help to me, along with Trevor Baker and Kevin Lovett (also basses) in learning some of the pieces we have sung.

I think of the choir as a team. In rugby there are a squad of men with a few really talented players, but they all need one another to improve, and must put the effort in and turn up for practice.

I think it’s similar in the choir where there are 50 plus choristers with some very talented individuals. But we must all commit to practise and contribute to the team spirit and be part of that team.

In my playing days, I played under some fantastic coaches who brought the best out of me to progress to playing first class rugby.

I am enjoying being in the bass section, and in Tomos Gwyn  we have a very talented young man who has a bright future ahead of him, and personally I do not want to let down Tomos or my fellow choristers.

I am really proud to have represented my town at Football, Rugby and now the Choir. I love the concerts, the nerves, the emotion and the celebration when it finishes.

We also have a good social side going on, with curry nights and a few beers with the boys. We can also take our wives out for an evening meal! So a big “Thank You” to Mike Sullivan (baritone) who organises thee events, helping bond the boys together.

What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?

I enjoy the wide range of music that we sing. Some of the songs that I really enjoy singing are

Gwinllan a Roddwyd, Benedictus, Nella Fantasia, Into the West and many more. But the one I really want to sing is Bring Him Home from my favourite musical, Les Misérables. Hopefully this may come in the near future.

What do you think you might look forward the in the future, perhaps having heard from longer serving choristers of memorable moments in the past?

I am looking forward to the future with the choir, hopefully to sing before an international in Cardiff would be fantastic or to go abroad, which I have heard so much about from the boys.

I would also like to take part in as many concerts as I can. It would be brilliant if we could do a concert to remember the boys we have lost recently, John Watkins, Steve Ramm, Gerry Pritchard and Rob Tolland, all great guys and characters who will be sadly missed by the choir.

Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir

Life outside the choir is hectic, I have been married to Mary for 21 years in August, and she supports me in everything I do.

Between us we have 5 Children and an amazing 12 Grandchildren ranging from age 6 to 22years old. Watching them grow up has been wonderful as they start on their journeys through life.

I have various hobbies that I enjoy, wood turning and fishing amongst them.  I am a member of Ross-on-Wye angling club. I also have an allotment to escape to where I enjoy vegetable gardening.

Finally we love to get away to Pembrokeshire and walk with our dog Dewi who we bought on the day we travelled down to St David’s to watch the concert that planted the seed.

A final thought, if you have one

Life is a journey, and we never know when it will end, so I hope that I can stay healthy and enjoy my future years with the choir and my family.

Finally I would just like to thank Tomos for what he has done for me and Risca Male Choir, and would like to wish him good luck on his journey through life and his musical career.

Diolch am bopeth Tomos. Mwynhewch eich taith gerddorol a pheidiwch byth â rhoi'r gorau iddi.

Thanks for everything Tomos. Enjoy your musical journey and never, never give up.