Friday 17 March 2017
Three Choirs Concert, hosted by Bridgend Male Choir in support of the St John's House Trust (Bridgend).
The Three Choirs Concert, hosted by Bridgend Male Choir and featured Pontyclun based Vocelle Ladies Choir and the Oldcastle Primary School Choir. The concert was in support of the St John's House Trust (Bridgend) who are committed to purchasing St John’s House, Newcastle Hill, Bridgend as a focal point for the local community.
The Male Choir entertained with a diversity in content and sound under the baton of musical Director, Ryan Wood and support team of Stephanie Bailey (Piano) and Scott Williams (Organ). They opened the evening with the popular and inspirational hymns 'Llanfair' and 'Morte Criste' and, the late Ryan Davies' beautiful ballad, 'Pan fo’r Nos yn Hir'. These were followed by traditional spirituals 'Ride the Chariot', 'My Lord what a Morning' and the ever popular, 'American Trilogy'.
Vocelle Ladies Choir, under the superb direction of Meryn Williams, MD demonstrated their pedigree throughout the evening with the Serbian Gypsy Dance 'Niska Banja', contrasting well with the well known 'Ar Lan y Mor' and the equally moving spiritual 'I'm gonna Sing 'til the Spirit moves in my Heart'. Tucked in between the senior choirs were the Oldcastle youngsters, who were a credit to both their school and their music teacher, Charlotte Boughton. Their performance and diction was excellent throughout with their song choice including the folk song 'Water is Wide', an animated performance of 'Naughty' from Roald Dahl’s Matilda a resounding success, but a special mention must go to Nancy Morcom-Lewis for her solo performance in 'Together'. The second half saw songs from the musicals with Peter Morgan's narration of the Gettysburg Address preceding the Male Choir's 'Tell my Father' (a story of a father and son relationship at the American Civil War) followed by 'Bring him home' and a feisty 'Rhythm of Life'.
Vocelle followed these with renditions of 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Aquarius'. Mary's Stuart's Prayer, showed Vocelle's complete versatility with a change of style and tempo, was of the highest order as was the solo performed by Ann Dunston.
Bridgend Male Choir final contribution included the moving hymn 'Gwahoddiad', and the two contrasting pieces 'What would I do without my Music' and 'Christus Salvator'.
This was the Choirs at their very best with both the gents & ladies raising the roof with “Tydi a Roddaist” as the finale to a successful concert.