A busy month, but an enjoyable one for RMC.

On July the 1st we sang for Gren and Gemma’s wedding at Bryn Meadows golf club. It was a lovely venue and some even lovelier sounds from the gents.

Quite a few of the bride and grooms’ requests were for pieces the choir hadn’t performed for a long time such as, World in union and two Disney numbers, Tale as old as time and Can you feel the love tonight? But a few sessions slotted in between our Eisteddfod practices leading up to the event proved to be more than ample to allow the gents to perform to a very high standard.

Then, a week later I was stood on stage at Llangollen locking eyes with the gents as they entered the fold to rapturous applause. And with a quick nod from Alison (This time on percussion) and Mackenzie (Guest accompanist for the occasion), we were off on our first piece of the competition. The whole thing went by at an unbelievably quick pace, but was such a memorable and enjoyable experience.

I’m not going to write too much here as I’m sure Martin has already organised some reviews from the gents themselves. (Please see Chris Denham’s Eisteddfod review. Also see a review of the concert held on July 21st by Tim Stone, both will be published later in August)

So to put it briefly:

I’ve been with the choir a short time now, still less than 9 months. But the gents, Alison, Martin and I have built quite a strong bond in that time. They allow me to do what I need to do and subscribe to everything I do with intense but rewarding rehearsals each week. I know the choir as a group is grateful for the effort I put in with them as they tell me frequently. And I can say I was proud of every single one of them for what they achieved that day: I can only hope they feel the same.

To end my review for July, I’d just like to share with you some of the comments I received in the adjudicators’ feedback.

• Great fun. Strong sound. Nuances well done. - Drunken Sailor

• Lovely change of pace and tone. Passionate delivery. - Gwinllan

• Lovely solo. Focussed group. Good full sound and very adept at moving from one rhythmic pattern to the next - Hodie (special mention for baritone Andy Jenkins)

• Fantastic choir, light sound, good delivery, nice tone. Strong confident performance

• Special mention for the excellent conductor. Very classy and a strong but not showy anchor for the choir

• A spirited choir. They sing with conviction and with musicality

Matt

Matthew Harrison – Music Director