Choristers up close - Phil Black
Phil Black
Section - Tenor 1
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
There is a long-standing choir member responsible for introducing me to the choir, Leigh Tucker.
Through business, he invited me to attend a Pontypridd v Neath rugby match, and at the end of the game, we enjoyed several drinks along with Howard Morgan and Alan Davies who were also guests. Naturally, we began to sing, that’s when Leigh suggested that I come to the next choir practice. This resulted in my 1st concert on the 27th October 2007, which was the 33rd Annual Concert.
How long have you been with our choir, and what are the things which have helped you stay?
I’ve been with Risca Male Choir for a very short 15 years as there has been so much to be involved with, from choir tours abroad, concert tours In Britain, annual concerts, the shows at Christmas and other local events. This requires a dedication to practices and a willingness to be flexible with all types of music and languages. All this creates a very special bond to the choir. The pandemic has created a lot of difficulties, but it is clear to see that this continued bond has kept the choir together.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
I have always enjoyed singing in my mother language, and here are four of the more memorable pieces that we sing in Welsh: Y Tangnefeddwyr, Gwahoddiad, Tydi-a-Roddaist, and Myfanwy which when performed, can evoke strong feelings.
To achieve with the choir the ability to sing in several languages has been a very uplifting experience. Here are just two as examples: Nella Fantasia (in Italian), and Cantique de Jean Racine (in French)
There are a number of pieces from musicals that come to mind such as: Bring Him Home and One Day More from Les Misérables. I also enjoy these items: Walking in the air, and Sometimes.
Taking part in rehearsals for Carbon 12 at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff with the Welsh National Opera in 2008 was a thrilling experience, but actually performing that work to a packed auditorium on the night of 6th June 2008 was even more so. A further performance took place in Cardiff, and then at the Birmingham Hippodrome and the final performance took place at the Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre, resulting in a standing ovation for the performance, and certainly heightened the experience.
Have you had any memorable musical moments that gave you pride and satisfaction?
There have been several occasions when the choir has performed in cathedrals in this country and abroad when the acoustics enhanced the choir sound and lifted our own abilities. This included one occasion when we sang in a salt mine in Wieliczka in 2010 near Krakow.
But the most moving performance that I have experienced was in the Auschwitz camp. The choir sang Prayer of the Children by Kurt Bestor. We all, to a man, left the compound in tears. It still can be seen and heard on YouTube.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir
My wife Ruth and I have been blessed with four children, three boys and a girl, and by now a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
My working experience was in the HGV industry as an engineer and then as a manager. My interests were in sport, rugby, football, sailing and walking. But now in later years, I have slowed down, changing to playing bowls outdoor and indoor, not at too high a level!
Belonging to RMC has stretched my abilities, and has created a considerable camaraderie that I hope to enjoy for many years to come.
A final thought, if you have one
Enjoying time with other people is what life is for. I have no regrets joining RMC and can only recommend you attend our practice nights on Thursdays and Sundays, you won’t regret it. See you at practice!
