In October 2013 Caldicot Male Voice Choir performed a concert in the magnificent St Andrew's Church in Harrow, Middlesex to a full house. Included in the wonderful performance was 'Somebody to Love' written by Freddie Mercury and arranged by accompanist John Nicholson. Listen not only to the audience reaction but to the bass sound at the end of the performance.
Supported by the Caldicot Male Voice Choir, Musical Director Sian Hatton gave a unique performance of the song conducted by Assistant Musical Director Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Stephen Berry on piano and John Nicholson on keyboard and bass synthesiser.
The choir will be returning back to St Andrew's on May 20th 2024 after a gap of 10 years at the request of St Andrew's vicar Rev. Lyndon North formerly of Caldicot.
The church is a fabulous place in which to sing with incredible acoustics. Included in this post are several photos kindly taken by members of the audience Phil Cody and Mike Knepper.
To find out more about the choir, please visit the web site www.caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk
At the 60th Anniversary Concert held by the choir on November 4th at its Choir Hall, a number of choristers were asked to reflect on parts of the history of the choir. Following presentations by Dave Gould and Leon Jones, new chorister Owen Hammett-Johnson was honoured (his own words) to give a short presentation on what the choir has meant to him since he joined 10 months ago.
This was caught on camera by Colleen Gauntlett and is presented here as a short video. Why not think about Owen's words and join your local choir. You won't regret it.
And they're off at the Choir Hall last Friday 20th October when about 130 punters went to the races at the hall. With over ten races in all bets were placed on secretly filmed races
With sponsored horses and bets placed the money raised was to aid Caldicot Male Voice Choir carry out its obligations to support male choral singing and Welsh culture in the area. The choir is a charity registered with the Charities Commission number 1201790.
Organised by chorister Ron Powell and his wife Linda, assisted by many others, the annual event once again proved a great success. The punters also enjoyed a wonderful buffet at the interval. More than enough to go round twice.
Many thanks to all those who sponsored races and horses and for donations by local businesses of wonderful raffle prizes.
Just to give you an impression of what goes on at a Race Night, I've created this short video. Look out for next year's event. It's a fun packed evening!
Just a little tribute to the fabulous Richard Harris (I'm sure he won't mind) who sang at the Choir's 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance. He kept us all entertained with a mix of music to suit everyone, ranging from swing, to motown, soul and pop. He was delighted to sing for Maggie and Roger Matthews who danced to the Elvis song 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'.
Richard has supported the choir at many events over the years and the choristers were thrilled that he was invited back again to entertain them on their special occasion.
I would have included a video clip of the fabulous magician Adam Richards but somehow they disappeared! He was incredible and kept us all entertained before and after the meal.
The video recording of Muntra Musikanter singing Calon Lan at the Choir Hall on May19th posted previously had a few sound defects and a spelling mistake, so it's been modified and it's now posted again. Many apologies but the mistakes were a consequence of trying to get it out early so you could enjoy it sooner.
It opens with a welcome message to the Finland Choir with a version of 'We'll Keep a Welcome' introduction by Caldicot Male Voice Choir.
Following on from the previous post about the visit of the Finland Muntra Musikanter Choir to Caldicot Choir Hall on May 19th this is a video recording of the fabulous tribute the choir made to Wales by singing one of Wales favourite hymns, Calon Lan. One wonders whether we could respond by singing 'Finlandia' by Sibelius?
Apologies for the bit of crackling noise in the first few seconds of the choir singing.
The video opens with a welcome montage to the Muntra Musikanter the start of 'We'll Keep a Welcome'. More to follow in the coming days.
A video clip of the Choir singing Rock a my Soul at its Annual concert on March 31st 2023. This is one of the songs the choir will be singing at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024.
Although photographs from the previous post about the Choir's incredible Annual Concerts on March 31st and April 1st tell some of the story, it's not quite complete without some movement and of course, sound.
There will be more to follow but at the moment, with his permission, the recording of Rhydian Jenkins' rendition of Bring Him Home sung bilingually in English and in Welsh and accompanied by Kim Lloyd Jones must be shown to share with all of you.
Rhydian sang 8 pieces in total alongside the choir's seventeen comprising over two fabulous hours of entertainment to two packed houses on each night.
It's Bill Nash's 100th Birthday today folks and we at the Choir wish him a very happy birthday. Although not able to sing with us recently he is an honorary Vice President and still maintains an active interest in the Choir.
Bill joined the Choir in March 1970 and was awarded his 50 year certificate and badge in 2021 alongside Peter Heslop.
The Choir was pleased to sing Happy Birthday, Penblwydd Hapus for Bill at it's first rehearsal of the year on January 5th.
There is a video clip of the choir's tribute.
On November 19th Caldicot Male Voice Choir performed an International Festival of Song at its Choir Hall in Caldicot. To represent Scotland the choir sang 'I wanna be (500 miles)' originally by the Proclaimers. It's a first for the choir. A video backdrop of scenes from each country was shown behind the choir on each song.
Last Sunday 16th January I was given the opportunity to talk to Roy Noble on his BBC Radio Wales show about Caldicot Male Voice Choir and specifically chorister Bill Nash's 99th birthday.
I've recorded the conversation and added several photographs of the choir and Bill to it to make a slide show. It's about 11 minutes long.
For those who missed Sunday's show please have a look.
Last Sunday 16th January I was given the opportunity to talk to Roy Noble on his BBC Radio Wales show about Caldicot Male Voice Choir and specifically chorister Bill Nash's 99th birthday.
I've recorded the conversation and added several photographs of the choir and Bill to it to make a slide show. It's about 11 minutes long.
For those who missed Sunday's show please have a look.
Today is a milestone in the history of the Choir in that it remembers that today is former chorister and secretary' Islwyn Watkins 100th Birthday. A couple of weeks ago the Choir sang Happy Birthday and Penblwydd Hapus as a tribute to his outstanding past service to the choir and to his longevity. This was recorded so on this special day the video clip is being re posted.
Have a wonderful birthday Islwyn from all at Caldicot Male Voice Choir. Islwyn now lives in Cambridgeshire so the Choir sent him a compilation of all the Annual and Gala concerts performed between and including 2014 to 2019. He was also sent a had made card, signed by mist of the choristers.
Long standing former Caldicot Male Voice Choir chorister, Islwyn Watkins will be celebrating his 100th birthday on 18th December. Islwyn now lives in Cambridgeshire with his family but still fervently retains his Welsh roots. He remains a vice-president and is in frequent contact with the Choir.
Islwyn was secretary of the Choir during the 1990's and along with Peter Heslop, the late Mervyn Roberts and many others, played a major role in acquiring funds and support to enable the building of the Choir's magnificent Choir Hall in 1996. Islwyn was also responsible primarily for bringing world class artists to the Choir, including Bryn Terfel.
Islwyn also wrote a booklet entitled 'The Dream is Alive' which eloquently reminisces the story and characters of the Choir and relates how the building of the Choir Hall was achieved.
To acknowledge this remarkable achievement and as a tribute to Islwyn's contribution to the Choir, the Choristers sang 'Happy Birthday' and 'Penblwydd Hapus' at the hall during practice on 2nd December. He was unable to be present but this video clip filmed by Colleen Gauntlett will be sent to his home as part of a gift to Islwyn.
Congratulations, Happy 100th Birthday and Best Wishes.
Llongyfarchiadau a Phenblwydd hapus enfawr Islwyn. Yn 100 oed. Dymuniadau gorau.
The birthday tributes were conducted by Sian Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Stephen Berry and John Nicholson at the Choir's practice evening in Caldicot Choir Hall l on 2nd December 2021.
Just another reminder of the celebratory 4 Choir Concert at the Leisure Centre in Caldicot on 22 September 1996. This was held to celebrate the opening, the day before of the purpose built Choir Hall for Caldicot Male Voice Choir.
This clip of the concert shows Caldicot Male Voice Choir singing 'Unchained Melody' conducted by Sian Hatton. The accompanists were Bethan Rees and Sara Axon. I hope you can recognise many familiar faces, sadly many no longer with us.
Arguably the Choir sounds just as good today and is now able to practice in full again and is able to invite new members to its ranks. If you would like to see and hear us, please come to the Choir Hall on any Monday or Thursday evening at about 7pm.. You would be made very welcome and there's no obligation.
By the way, Sian is still Musical Director of the Choir and has been for 33 years.
Alternatively, contact us through our web site www.caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk
With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions which have prevented Choirs from singing together for the past 18 months, I am delighted to say that Caldicot Male Voice Choir, along with many others is able to resume practices and arrange concerts and events. Caldicot's practices in full will return on Monday 16th August at the Choir Hall in Mill Lane, Caldicot at 7-15pm.
Just to remind you of how good this choir is and what you've been missing since March 2020 I'm posting a video of some photos of the Choir backed by it singing Nessun Dorma.
The Choir is now in a position to invite anyone to visit us at rehearsals, it has an open door policy. Just walk into the hall at about 7-00 pm on any Monday or Thursday evening. You will be made very welcome, particularly if you are interested in joining us. It's free, painless, easy and no obligation.
If you would like to consider us for a charity concert, a wedding perhaps or any other event please contact the Choir. Please e-mail [email protected]
Please visit the web site www.caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk for further information and to hear more of the Choir's recordings.
PAUL CARLSON'S POEM read by Lyn Gauntlett
Caldicot Male Voice Choir's PRO Lyn Gauntlett, recently asked choristers for some items that he could use for articles etc. Bass chorister Paul Carlson came up with with a splendid poem that he'd written which describes his experiences of how he came to join and of the time in the Choir since 8 years ago.
This was so appropriate and with the thought that it might encourage others to join, Lyn recorded himself reading it and set it to a slide show video of Choir photographs during this time to illustrate how great it is to be in a Choir.
Although specific to Caldicot Male Voice Choir it applies to any other Male Choir and hope it might encourage others to join their local choir.
The background music is 'Tydi y Roddaist' recorded by Caldicot Male Voice Choir on its 2010 One Moment in Time album.
At the request of choristers David Price and Ron Ashton I've posted a video of The Prayer from Caldicot Male Voice Choir's 2019 Annual concert. This song was also sung later in the St Peter and St Paul church in Krakow, Poland in June 2019. Because of Covid-19 restrictions the choir has not been able to practice or perform since March 2019 (Armagh Cathedral in Northern Ireland) but I'll let you know when we are able to perform again. Meanwhile, enjoy on Facebook
Unbelievably, a year ago today, at the request of Delyth Gregory, husband of Caldicot Male Voice Choir's bass chorister Karl Gregory I posted a recording of 'Let it be me' recorded on the 1998 album ' The Dream Alive'. Delyth is a front line key worker in the NHS and this is a reminder of all the efforts, hardships and dangers that workers in the NHS have faced and continue to face during the pandemic.
I would also like to dedicate this to all those who have given their time and huge efforts to make the roll out of the vaccination programme such a massive success.
I thought you might like this recording of Myfanwy by Caldicot Male Voice Choir from its 1993 Tintern (Memories) album.
The Choir hopes to be singing this in a not too distant concert and at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023. I'll keep you posted
The photographs were taken by Colleen Gauntlett on her various walks with me around South Wales in the past couple of years.
