ICC Wales, 2nd June 2024

It was back in December 2023 that we were first approached to sing for this event. The RCN Wales team were very excited that the National Congress was coming to Wales, and were keen to give the delegates a proper taste of Welshness – so naturally they turned to Risca Male Choir!

A special feature for us was to be asked to sing an item alongside their other guest performer, Caroline Sheen (yes, she is a relation, I believe), Newport-born star of Broadway and the West End. We settled on World in Union, a song associated with the Rugby World Cup since 1991, and arranged for RMC by Martin Hodson.

After months of negotiation, emails and Zoom calls, we arrived for our staging rehearsal in the large Main Hall at ICC, where we were expertly miked up by the sound crew, including Dave Tutton as the narrator for ‘Sunset Poem’ from Under Milk Wood. He had to wear his microphone for the next 2 hours, as we awaited our turn to go on stage. But nobody minds hanging around when there are plentiful sandwiches, fruit and drinks provided!

As RMC lined up outside the hall, First Minister, Vaughan Gething, happened to pass by with his entourage, a sign of the high profile of the event. Then it was our turn to enter and be faced with an audience of 1000 plus – the largest in my time in the choir. The response to ‘Men of Harlech’ was enthusiastic applause; Hiraeth and O Gymru were sung with fervour, and by the end of Yma o hyd we had a standing ovation. Only 5 pieces, and we had filled our time slot, but we kept to the old adage, ‘always leave them wanting more’.

Another pause, then we were back to join Caroline Sheen at the end of her set of songs, to be treated to the unforgettable sight of Leigh Tucker doing the moves for ‘Dancing Queen’. As we gathered around her on stage, she revealed that this was the first time she had sung with a male voice choir. I think we gave her a good time – she certainly sang the solo in World in Union with conviction and the big finish had the audience on their feet again, cheering and clapping.

Robin Grayson – Baritone, Concert Secretary, Patrons’ Administrator

RMC Concert Coordinator