Out of the blue – Wynne Evans at the Memo! Thursday June 9th

With 12 days to go before the recording, BBC contacted us via our website asking if we could take part in the Wynne Evans (Go compare!) radio broadcast, Town Hall Showdown. It so happens that the event was to be recorded on our normal practice night, a Thursday, and at the Memo in Newbridge, a venue we knew quite well.

Initially, the requirement was for a small ensemble as space was limited! After much discussion with the producer of the show, it was decided that a larger choir could be accommodated in front of the stage of the main auditorium at the Memo.

A further request was that we should volunteer two members of RMC to be interviewed on stage by Wynne Evans. We initially chose Tomos Gwyn, our MD, and Andy Jenkins, baritone extraordinaire and winner of the 2018 Blue Riband; two individuals that had much to say about their involvement with RMC. Unfortunately, and on the day of recording, Andy was taken ill and was unable to be with us, he was replaced by our Chairman, Paul Phillips.

And so the evening arrived, and after a vocal warm up at choir HQ, we made our way to Newbridge and the Memo itself. The organisation was splendid and we were well looked after by a BBC assistant, Jesse. He led us to the hall, and we took our place in front of a packed auditorium while Wynne interviewed Tomos and Paul.

Then, a cappella (as there wasn’t room for a keyboard), we sang Men of Harlech which was the chosen item. It has impact, especially when given the kind of RMC performance at its best. It brought the house down!

It was the final item of the show before the interval, and that gave us time to leave feeling good about ourselves having accomplished the whole event in such a short time.

Wynne Evans interviewing Paul Phillips (Chairman) and Tomos Gwyn (Music Director) on stage, with the choir ready to sing in front of the stage.

Martin Hodson - Music Director Emeritus