Music Director’s Review from May 2023

It’s been a busy month here at RMC, and given our list of engagements for the rest of year I predict a similar prologue for the next few music director's blogs!

We started the month with a Coronation Concert here in Risca Park to celebrate King Charles III coronation. The gents entertained their audience with some new and old repertoire including a complete run through of our Eisteddfod set.

Despite low numbers, compared to Risca’s usual staging, around 35 of the gents performed magnificently and it was a special treat to have our Emeritus Music Director, Martin Hodson, accompany this concert with us, and he certainly he kept the gents on their toes. The energy from the keys was palpable.

And I wouldn’t be able to write this without saying particular thanks to the four basses who more than held their own despite being abandoned by the other 9 of their colleagues…!

We were also treated to a second visit from our friend and coach, Carole Kinsey this month, to offer us another short blast of holistic coaching helping us with visualisation and other techniques to help build stage presence and confidence.

Thanks to our resident techie, Handy Andy from Tonypandy, this time Carole was mic’ed up and projected through the surround sound system set up by Andy at the drop of a hat after only being asked that same afternoon!

Anyone watching the live stream of that evening's rehearsal might have thought they’d tuned into a spin class by mistake with Carole standing and barking orders through her hands-free headset.

The rest of the month has been preoccupied with our preparations for the tour to Chester.

Relentless practice on the more difficult repertoire such as the acappella piece by Rosepheyne Powell The Word was God. (Sorry boys, you’ll thank me in the end, I promise), and subtle shaping of the more well-known repertoire such as Anfonaf Angel and the arrangement of Hiraeth by former conductor, Dr Alwyn Humphries.

And as an encore, the gents have resurrected You’ll never walk alone to the dismay of all the United fans in the group and to particular delight of our vice chairman and Liverpool supporter. Leigh Tucker.

Aside from the impressive display the gents will no doubt deliver to our audiences in the Wirral and Chester, we also have solo performances from Blue Riband awardee and baritone, Andy Jenkins, who will also be joining the choir for the rest of the programme. In the Wirral Andy will be the only soloist, but in Chester we will be welcoming a guest soprano soloist, Jane Johnson.  Even then, Andy will take one spot and also sing a duet with Jane.

Andy will be accompanied by Martin who will also be adding some organ touches to one or two of our pieces as well as performing with the choir for the rest of the concert. And lastly our very own accompanist Alison Thomas will be giving us more of an insight to her musical talents with some percussion accompaniment to one of our Llangollen pieces. A versatile display of musical talent from some members of our talented choir.

And as always on tour with any choir, the music won’t stop there as I’m sure the gents will combine for one or two more songs to the delight of whatever pub they decide to invade, in their dreadfully named “Afterglow” event.

Though due to my hatred of this phrase, I’ve been on a campaign to try and find something that sounds less suggestive, or dare I say, post coital… and I’m proud to say that the supporters of the new term, “Aprés” now include two members., myself and Martin Hodson!! Whether or not it will catch on is another question but we’re determined if nothing else…

And talking of Martin, the piece this choir performs more than anything is Happy Birthday as each chorister is made to stand on their birthday and receive a rendition from their fellow choristers. This month I heard the gents sing the best rendition yet for our very own Emeritus MD. Sounding particularly good this time as a tribute to someone who has offered this group so much of his time and effort. Either that or it sounded better this time because for once Martin had to stand and listen instead of joining in. I know he’s not best known for his vocal ability!! ;)

Happy birthday Martin! Here’s to many more renditions just for you!

Over and out,

MJH

Music Director - Matthew Harrison