12 July 2005
Also participating were the Australian Welsh Choir, the Wollongong Welsh Choir, the Sydney Welsh Choir, and two outstanding soloists - Peter Brocklehurst (Australian tenor) and Ann Atkinson (Welsh mezzosoprano). The program for the second part of the Concert, which we sang in, was as follows:
Lions Plus Guest Choirs:
Soldiers Chorus (Faust)
Roman War Song (Rienzi)
[All Male Choirs]
Ann Atkinson - solos:
Let it be me (arr H James)
American Trilogy (arr Alwyn Humphreys)
[All Male Choirs]
Peter Brocklehurst - solos:
Take me home (Edwards & Hand)
Softly as I leave you (arr Alan Simmons)
[All Male Choirs]
Speed Your Journey (Nabucco) arr Sydney Northcote
I still call Australia home (arr Alwyn Humphreys)
[ALL Male Choirs AND Mixed Choirs]
Finale:
Cwm Rhondda - audience joining in
Support crew - thanks!
On behalf of members of the Choir, our very sincere thanks to an amazing 'support crew'. It was a very special moment when the Australian Rugby Choir was introduced - and the Concert Hall erupted into cheering and applause! I sensed bristling napes all around me! You certainly let us all know you were there, but better still, you let every one else on the stage know that the Australian Rugby Choir counts for something. Not that we lack attitude, but it might have been felt that we were 'over-achievers', punching above our weight up there.
Nor do we thank only those of you who were able to come to the Concert. Our blood, sweat and tears over the past four months to get set for the Opera House gig will have imposed on family life, and called on your support. I am certain the boys will want me to express our warmest thanks to you all.
"I sang at the Opera House..."
From a singers perspective one had the unusual sensation of both making the sound, but also being carried along by it - being immersed in a strong, rich flow of song - from around 300 voices. Having - at last - made our song books redundant, we were able to 'tune in' to the master conductor, Haydn James, and his extraordinarily expressive, and authoritative, conducting. Watching him at the end of 'I still call Australia home' was reminiscent of Leyton Hewitt doing the 'chainsaw' - but more refined of course! He rehearsed us during the afternoon for a little over an hour, and quickly demonstrated his superb skill and control. Like the best of teachers perhaps - economical and precise with his words.
Being there singing was just an extraordinary experience, but so too, in a different way, was being able to sit in on the Lions Choir and soloists in the first half of the program. It would be inspirational for any male voice choir to hear such rich, resonant and controlled singing; it certainly was for us.
The Lions Choir
The 2005 Lions Choir is made up of over 115 choristers from some thirty choirs in the UK. Hitherto the Choir has only formed for particular large sporting event, but due to the success of this New Zealand tour, it may in future operate on a more enduring basis. They are already planning for the next British Lions tour - to South Africa in four years time. Organisers Melody Music are also planning a major choral contribution to the next Rugby World Cup. Music to our ears!
Thanks Mark Burrows and Melody Music!
This extraordinary opportunity came our way thanks to Mark Burrows, Managing Director of the Melody Music Company. Melody Music, based in Cardiff, specialises in Choir tour and event promotion, and operates world wide. We will be for ever grateful that you gave us the opportunity Mark - and the challenge - of singing with the Lions Choir at the fourth and final Concert of their tour. We enjoyed it immensely - and hope there will be another time!!
Alastair Crombie
President