July Update
(update 19/07/2010)
Well,
the concert season's into its second half now, and so far it's been the
best season we've had since Wilbut took over. I won't pretend
it's been perfect - this bulletin isn't Pravda. But eight of our
ten public appearances since the Dudley concert have been, to
understate, more than satisfactory. The other two were merely
ok. Highlights of the last two months were the Wales Air
Ambulance concert in St Johns, and the HOPE and TyHafan/British
Heart Foundation concerts in St Mary's. We dressed up in DJs
rather than the usual "busman's" uniform for the latter event, because
it coincided with the Tenby Flower Festival. We've also been
lucky in our soloists. The new slimline Paul Varallo goes from
strength to strength, and Huw Morris has had his baritone solo
debut in "My Little Welsh Home". We've also had outstanding
non-choir soloists: french horn player Wesley Davies, the Greenhill
School string and wind quintet, 15 year old Cory Morris, and superb
local sopranoist Emily Holden. There are a few photos below, but
many more can be found on the choir's Facebook fan page. Please
"like" us if you haven't already.
Thorns amongst the roses during the flower festival.
 
Cory Morris and Emily Holden
"Cracking" Joint Concert
(update 12/05/2010)
The joint concert (last Saturday May 8th) with
Dudley's Gentlemen Songsters was one of the best we've had. "Cracking!" (one notch higher than "Tidy!") was the official verdict of Tenby's MD, Ian "Wilbur" Williams. Two clips from it are on YouTube.com.
The Dudley boys are good sengers and excellent company, and we're very
much looking forward to a "return match". The afterglow ended
early because of "Welsh" Eddie's sudden illness. Thanks to
Maurice Griffiths and in particular to Dudley's Guy Jackson for the
prompt and decisive first aid which may have tipped the balance in his
favour. We understand that Eddie is now stable and joking with
the nurses in hospital. Yesterday's St Mary's concert for
Christan aid was also well attended and obviously enjoyed by the
audience. Thanks to everyone whose hard work enables these
concerts to happen, including our ladies who do so much for us.
Dudley MD Mike Wells with the combined choir
Busy Start To the 2010 season.
(update 28/04/2010)
With
four concerts and an official CD launch night, it's been a very busy
April so far. There's a bit of a lull now until our joint concert with
Dudley's Gentlemen Songsters on Saturday May 8th. This gives us a
chance to concentrate on learning new pieces, including some for the
2012 massed choirs concert in the Albert Hall. There is now an
official trailer for the CD on YouTube - see the "Songa and Video
Clips" page.
Last week we had a very enjoyable "away fixture", singing at the National Trust Stackpole Centre,
in aid of Elidor Church. We were fortunate to be joined by solo
harpist Elan Haf Ward (below).
At our previous concert in St John's
Tenby, we were joined by Greenhill sixth-former Hannah Lowe on the
violin - she is starting to seem like an old friend now! As
usual, there were also solo numbers sung by second tenor Paul Varallo,
from his increasingly extensive repetoire.
Choir Chairman Terry Evans presents a CD to Tenby's Mayor Councillor Sue Lane.
Easter Update - NEW CD RELEASED!
The
choir's new CD will be available at concerts from the Easter Weekend,
and by mail order from the choir treasurer. See merchandise page
for more details. The
choir's first engagement of the year was, as always, the St David's Day
Cymanfa Ganu
at St John's Church. However the concert season starts in earnest
at the Easter Weekend, with a Good Friday concert in Templeton, and the
Eater Sunday Concert in St John's, Tenby. The other main event in
March was the choir's weekend trip to Hampshire for a joint concert - a
"Musical Handshake" with Romsey male voice choir.
Choir Chairman Terry receives a commemorative print of Romsey Abbey
from the Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Ian Hibberd.
The CD
title was announced at the choir's annual lunch at the end of
January. It was based on a suggestion by David McDermott, who
therefore won a bottle of wine. The choir dinner, this year held
at the Giltar Hotel, was a very enjoyable affair as always. This
year we were entertained both by our President, Roy Noble and by our
unofficial resident bard, Geraint "Turkey" Phillips with two of his
monologues.
 
Roy Noble and Geraint Phillips
 
Bobby Turnbull with Jill Williams, and Howard Allen with Elaine Noble
Autumn 2009
There
is now a Facebook fan page for Tenby Male Choir. Fans can upload
pictures and exchange news etc. See the links page for further
details!
Recording
for the forthcoming CD was completed on 16th and 19th November at the
Stackpole
Centre. Everyone felt it went well. For a preview look at
the Songs and Video Clips page. After completing the recording,
choristers again repaired to the King's Arms in Pembroke to sing and
celebrate. It is hoped that the CD will be released fairly
early in the new year, possibly in March. The title and more
details will be announced soon.WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Dave Pritchard, of Oakwood Studios gives the choir a pep talk before recording begins.
Three Choir stalwarts singing in the post-recording celebration: Bryan Harris,
founder member Tom Pierce, and walking miracle John "Whippet" Griffiths.
Our
concert season came to an end with the successful and enjoyable joint
concert with the Griffon Choir on 18th October in Monkton Priory.
This was followed, for most of us, by a very convivial evening in the
King's Arms in Pembroke. The photo below shows MD Ian mixing business
with pleasure behind the bar - his talents and skills are many!
In
fact, September and October continued as busy as the high summer, with
seven concerts and a miniconcert. For the press reports on some
of them click here, here and here. The full Tenby Observer online archive on the choir may be accessed from this page, by then entering "Tenby Male Choir" in the search bar.
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