By Seamie Briscoe
The Morriston RFC Male Choir from Wales finished their Irish Concert Tour recently when they performed for a packed audience in St Peters Church of Ireland in Drogheda with the Drogheda Male Voice Choir and local International Soprano, Amie Dyer.
The proceeds of this “Amazing Concert” went to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre in Drogheda. Whoever came up with the title for this musical extravaganza to call it an “Amazing Concert” certainly came up with a name which encapsulated the nights magnificent entertainment for an appreciative audience who were on their feet for several standing ovations throughout the evening.
There was a warm receptive introduction to St Peters Church by its Rector, Rev Brian O’Reilly, to the performers and the audience. He was followed by Mayor, Michelle Hall, who stated that it was a pleasure, on behalf of the people of Drogheda, to welcome Morriston RFC Male Choir to Drogheda and thanked them for their very generous gesture to sing for the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre which provide a wonderful cancer support service to the people of the town and its hinterland. T
he Morriston RFC Male Choir was introduced onstage by their affable Chairman, Mr Duncan Lewis, who informed the audience that they were delighted with the reception they have received in Drogheda and looked forward to singing in the beautiful surrounds of St Peters Church. He went on to introduce the choir’s Musical Director, Mr Huw Rees and accompanist, Sian Davies. What followed was an enchanting 45 minutes of beautiful male choral singing which delighted the Drogheda audience. These included such Welsh Classics as “Calon Lan”, “Round The lord Seated” and their own National Anthem, “Land Of My Fathers”.
However, these were interspersed with such fantastic airs like “Your Just Too Good To Be True” and “Til The End Of Time” in a programme which showed their wonderful choral arrangements and range. However, they had an ace up their sleeves when their Musical Director, Mr Huw Rees and Accompanist, Sian Davies, duetted on the piano to give an astounding performance of “Que Vive” (Grand Gallop) which displayed the wonderful musical dexterity they performed between them and drew thunderous applause from the audience.
Musical Director, David Leddy and the Drogheda Male Voice Choir made their entrance with their customary “Conquest Of Paradise” procession and went on to give an excellent account of themselves with pieces like “Le Virgine De Angeli” with Timmy Regan, and the “Rocky Road To Dublin” as well as “Bridge Over Trouble Waters” with Mal Stringer taking the vocals.
The wonderful Drogheda Soprano, Amie Dyer, joined the choir to sing “Jerusalem” before going on to give an evocative rendition of; “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Misérables” which drew a standing ovation from the audience.
Mayor, Cllr Michelle Hall, brought the proceedings to a close with glowing praise and thanks for a wonderful night of choral and solo singing which, she said, certainly lived up to its “Amazing” billing. A truly wonderful evening brought the Morriston RFC Male Choir and the Drogheda Male Voice Choir together to finish with a lovely rendition “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the musical Carousel.
This was another magnificent evening’s musical entertainment which was accommodated by the marvellous surrounds of St Peters Church of Ireland.
