I turned into Kemys Street in Griffithstown on Saturday 18 October at 6.25pm and thought, ‘this part of Torfaen is the place for music tonight.’
Half a mile away, I could just about hear a dance track being played: “Der na ner na na na ner ne, der na ner na na na ner ne.” The faint sound was coming from Ysgol Panteg where a sell-out crowd was waiting for a spectacular laser show to begin.
I walked into St Hilda’s Church Hall for a concert by Cwmbran’s Sŵn Y Gân Choir. The night was split into two parts.
Geraint Davies
Geraint Davies, the musical director, told us they were planning an American-themed concert, but the recent launch of their new CD- The Sound of Song- saw them switch it up with a decision to perform songs from the album in the second half.
Cole Porter’s ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’ was the opening song. The loud applause from the audience and smiles on the faces of the choir to get the first one out of the way was clear- this wasn’t going to be just *another show*.
We were taken on a trip across the states with members bringing songs from George Gershwin, Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel and Burt Bacharach into our small corner of Torfaen. The first part was brought to a close with Elvis Presley’s An American Trilogy.
Sharon Elliott, Lesley Howell, Joy Dando, Gareth Abbot-Sheehan, Pat Smith, Evie Phillips, and Nygarie Long all enjoyed solo or duet moments. I loved watching the faces of the other members during these sections. I could see them sitting down, enjoying their friends’ lonely moment in the spotlight – and each was welcomed back to their seat in the choir with grins, winks or a tap on the back.
Christopher Fossey was the wonderful pianist who accompanied the choir.
Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’
The London 2012 Olympics was the best month of my life (my teenage daughter and wife probably won’t read this far so all ok). Part two opened with Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’ and the hairs on my neck stood up.
Sŵn Y Gân took me back to a magical few weeks of sport and happy memories. Weirdly, it also took me back to one of the most bizarre video interviews I’ve done, which is linked 13 years later to this special choir. During the 2012 build-up, the Olympic torch was driven from Pontypool to Newport as part a UK tour. I bumped into Nicole de-Gare Pitt, a soprano in the choir on stage this evening, and met her family standing by the large roundabout near the boating lake to cheer the torch as it was driving past.
The choir took us through America and back to London- but the song that took me down a rabbit’s hole when I got home was Chris Tin’s Baba Yetu (solos Gareth Abbot-Sheehan and Matt Harris). They took us to Africa for what Gerraint told us was ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ in Swahili.
The hairs on the back of my neck hadn’t been down for five minutes, and they were back up.
Christmas stocking filler
If you’re looking for one reason to buy their new CD as a Christmas stocking filler for someone, please trust the hairs on the back of my neck and just go and buy it.
Contact the choir through their Facebook page for more info.
Others who enjoyed solos or duets during the second half were Samuel Davies, Greg Varney, Nicole Cox, and Nygarie Long.
Lesley Howell, the choir’s chair, spoke to the audience: “What a night, what an absolute night. We are having such a fantastic time. Thank you all so, so much for supporting our choir and enjoying it. It is an honour to be part of this choir. I’m sure you’ll agree that we have so much talent here.”
The interval raffle was also something else that deserves a little applause. We’ve all been at events where the raffle can go on, and on. You get my drift. This was the slickest interval fundraiser I’ve ever had the pleasure to lose £2 on. The choir members put on a slick show of a ticket being drawn, winner found, and they kept it moving- with the prize being taken directly to the audience member, while the next ticket was pulled, and repeat.
Excellent
Thank you for the complimentary ticket to not just *another show*, but a very special show. It was excellent.
You can watch Sŵn Y Gân Choir on Saturday 22 November in Cwmbran town centre for the Christmas lights switch-on. Their Christmas concert is on Sunday 21 December in St Gabriel’s Church in Old Cwmbran.