The concert programme started with Bridgend Male Choir singing Sanctus arranged by Arwell Hughes, which proved to be a rousing start to the evening. They then sang softer pieces including Y Darlun - a sensitive love song with tender lyrics which fully tested the choristers ability to sing pp. Homeward Bound arranged by Ryan Wood was a ballad sung with much feeling, which again the audience enthusiastically enjoyed. The last piece in this section was their competition winning piece at Truro – Builth arranged by Jeffrey Howard, a resounding piece which brought rapturous applause to finish their first part of the concert.
Newquay MVC started their section with a resounding first note of Let there be Light arranged by Goff Richards, an excellent middle segment, with the finale as outstanding as the start which again drew massive audience applause. Then followed You Raise Me Up and Speed Your Journey, the latter being well known to BMC and just as effectively sung, again striking a chord with the audience. The last piece in this section was The Song of Cornwall, sung with true Cornish verve which the audience and BMC fully appreciated.
In the second half BMC beautifully sang one of their most recent repertoire pieces - I write the Songs by Barry Manilow and arranged by John Samuel. The second piece was The Wonder of You probably best remembered by Elvis Presley’s 1970 No. 1 UK hit and Top 10 hit in the US. It was sung with great gusto ending in crescendo of the title line, again to ample applause. Next was Tell My Father expertly introduced by narration of the famous Gettysburg Address containing just the 271 words of Abraham Lincoln in 1863 by baritone Dr Peter Morgan. As usual, the piece was sung with such immense feeling having been arranged by BMC Musical Director Ryan Wood. The last piece in this section was Christus Salvador arranged by Eric Jones, which proved to be another rouser ending in great Amens, to which the applause started before the last syllable was sung.
The second half of Newquay MVC’s repertoire started with Amazing Grace followed by What Would I Do Without my Music, both arranged by Alwyn Humphries. Both were sung with such feeling and passion that the audience were truly enthralled with the performance. Next came The Floral Dance, which as we remember being allegedly butchered by Terry Wogan some years ago. On this occasion however, NMVC bass Jim Christophers did a perfect job in bringing the song to life, expertly accompanied by the whole choir. Last in this section was one of BMC’s perennials Rhythm of Life, but this time arranged by R Barnes and expertly sung by the host choir with all its tongue-tieing lyrics.
To end the concert, the two choirs joined together to perform two great and well-known songs, the first being American Trilogy medley arranged by Mickey Newbury, conducted by Ryan Wood and accompanied by Stephanie Todd. The audience were enthralled with the sheer volume and emotion of this Elvis popularised showstopper.
The last piece of the evening was a favourite of male voice choirs - Morte Criste arranged by Isaac Watts, perfectly performed under the baton of Richard Braebrook and accompanied by Simone Maier. Such a fitting to a successful concert and once again applauded by the audience well before the last reverberation.
Compères for the evening were Jim Christophers and Gareth Davies who both kept the audience professionally informed ‘with aplomb’.
Paul Porter
Choir President
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