Choristers up close - Steve Griffiths
Steve Griffiths
Section - Baritone
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I have always had a soft spot for the sound of a Welsh male choir - probably down to the fact Mam had a couple of vinyl records of choirs playing in the house as I was growing up. Later during my rugby playing days, I enjoyed the sing-along after games, but I never thought myself a singer never mind a chorister.
In the intervening years between the end of my rugby playing days and joining the choir other distractions got in the way – relationships and children. I also enjoyed running and training with a group of people known as Risca Circuits, a group that has been going for nearly as long as Risca choir! Being a member of a choir was not on the horizon during this period.
Things began to change about 10 years ago – yes, I have been accused of procrastinating on many occasions!
I drink in the same pub as Kev Lovett (bass) and he had recently joined the choir and from that point onwards not many weekends would go by without him cajoling me about joining and even though I was open to the idea there was always something else I wanted to do. It was something I might do later in life.
Well over the years other guys I knew who were in the choir started to sow the seed about my joining and eventually around Christmas 2018 after having had one too many sherbets at the Prince of Wales pub in Risca, I relented and said I would attend in the New Year. It seemed the perfect time to try something different, challenging and outside my comfort zone. The fact that several other guys I knew had committed to join as well and they too were going to turn up in the New Year…there was no backing out now, well not without trying it first.
That first session I attended and listening to the guys running through that year's themed repertoire and in particular She made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and from that point on I was hooked.
Since joining I have found the experience challenging, and on occasions nerve racking, but most of all very enjoyable and I wonder why I didn’t join earlier in my life.
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?
I like the challenge of doing something that is outside my comfort zone and working and practising with a great group of guys, especially those who believe they are comedians, make the practice sessions enjoyable.
Then there is “the buzz” around performing in public and knowing that all the hard work we do in our sections all comes together to produce a wonderful sound that others find a joy to listen to. I also find the process of singing is good for my wellbeing.
What music do you particularly enjoy singing and why?
It’s all new to me, so every piece is a challenge and enjoyable, but if I had to choose then it would be most of the Welsh music, particularly those with a rousing end, such as O Gymru and Gwinllan.
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?
I would love to tour, sing in a cathedral and enter competitions.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir
I discovered mountain biking relatively late in life and enjoy Friday afternoons riding the trails at the Cwmcarn Forest followed by a couple of beers at the Prince of Wales, especially during the spring and summer months. Running has been a big part of my life and I try and put in 2 to 3 running sessions a week, although as I get older the sessions are more of an old man shuffle than running!
A final thought, if you have one
Why I didn’t join the choir earlier in my life!
