Choristers up close - Robin Grayson
Robin Grayson
Section - Baritone
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
When we moved to Risca early in 2021 to be near family in Cardiff and Bristol, I was delighted to discover RMC HQ just down the road. Joining a male voice choir seemed like a good way to begin retirement in Wales. Over the years I’ve sung with many different combinations of voices, but the sound of massed men’s voices is a very special one.
We realise you’ve only been with the choir for a very short time, but what are the elements you have most enjoyed so far?
Firstly, I enjoyed the warm sound of the singing and the warm welcome I received as a newcomer, and an English one at that! Then, I was impressed with Tomos’ way of working with the choir, which is so clear and he communicates so well with us; we will miss him very much. I love singing Baritone, in the middle of the texture and in the middle of my own range. The social side and the support offered to members in difficult times, make RMC a great group to belong to. I’ve only had a loan of the choir sledgehammer so far, but I know that any help I might need would be offered readily.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
First, anything in Welsh – Gwinllan, Anfonaf Angel, O Gymru or Calon Lân; I may not understand every word, but singing in Welsh seems to evoke an especially rich, fervent sound in the choir. Then the lively ones, like Daniel and Gloria, challenge us to sing with energy and discipline, which Tomos has worked on with great patience.
What do you think you might look forward to in the future, perhaps having heard from longer serving choristers of memorable moments in the past?
It would be great to go on tour again, make some recordings, sing in some interesting venues, and work with other performers. I know Newport Symphony Orchestra would like to perform with us.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir
I was a mathematician till my late 40s, doing research then teaching. In 2002 I trained as a priest, and now in retirement serve in the Islwyn Ministry Area. My wife Juliet and I have three children and four grandchildren. We met in a choir, and music has been a constant part of our family life; I’ve enjoyed many kinds of singing since my teens – choral, barbershop, lieder, musicals, grand opera – and recently I composed eight settings of Christina Rossetti poems for voice and piano, that we have performed together. We love walking in the hills and valleys around Risca, we have a rescue cat called Elsa, and we look forward to hosting a Ukrainian family very shortly (not sure how the cat will be with small children running round the house, though!). We also volunteer with RCVUK and Risca Foodbank. I enjoy crosswords, DIY projects, and building Lego models.
A final thought, if you have one
I think we have missed the window for inviting the choir to Sunday evening drinks in our garden for this year; hopefully next year instead!
