April has been a little quieter than most months here at Risca Male Choir. Earlier, we celebrated the life of ex chorister Mike Briggs, who dedicated 22 years’ service to the choir. At the ceremony, the gents performed Close thine eyes alongside Calon Lân with organ accompaniment, which we sung during the photo sequence of memories from Mike’s life, many of which as a keen photographer, Mike had captured himself.

Other engagements this month, sadly included the funeral of top tenor, Tim Stone’s mother. In St Basils church Bassaleg, the choir also sang Calon Lân, Here I am Lord and Goin’ up a yonder.

In preparation for our forthcoming tour to Chester (one month to go gents) we have been working hard on shaping the more challenging pieces such as The Word was God and working hard bringing out the best qualities of more well known repertoire such as Gonna rise up singin’ and Hiraeth.

Alongside preparations for our tour to Chester the gents have also started learning an arrangement by former MD Tomos Gwyn, of Yma o Hyd which is fast becoming one of Wales’ most celebrated tunes and is sure to be a popular hit with audiences home and away.

And as ever, with the International Eisteddfod looming closer and closer each week, we’ve been focussing in on our repertoire for this. We’ve reviewed footage from last month’s run through and as ever the gents were very self-critical and we had lot of observations come from the group during these sessions. I feel that this is all for the best as there’s no doubt it will all aid the final performance at Llangollen.

Outside of choir myself and Martin have been working together on plans for our forthcoming patrons’ event in June, for which the theme is “Meet Matt” or should I say, meet me!! And without divulging too much information here, can I say that I’m currently practising what I preach to the gents, and as such, have a few special performances in line for them as a treat.

Until next time, onwards and upwards RMC.

Matt

Matthew Harrison MD
April 2023