(In support of Marie Curie Mumbles and Gower Fundraising Group)
In the splendour and wonder of All Saints, we sang in the name of our Saint; St David. Saturday the 1st of March 2025 saw us sing our first concert of 2025. If a celebration of our culture was not motivation enough, a chance to raise funds for Marie Curie, and, also to sing in memory of some beloved choristers who have sadly passed away in recent months, gave emotional energy a plenty for the evening’s song. The choir raised the sum of £2,129 for Marie Curie on the night. A very special thank you to Jeff, a chorister in the baritone section of the choir who helped organise the evening.
Our opening 4 pieces, “There is a Land”, “Calon Lan”, Y Tangnefeddwyr” and “O Gymru”; songs of pride, of peace, of reliance. For the majority of the choir, a chance to rest and reflect followed. Not so for our very own Daniel Davies. Daniel gave us all pause for thought, and brought the West End to South West Wales, with his solo performances of “ Why God Why” – Miss Saigon, “Til I hear you Sing” – Love Never Dies, and “Bring Him Home” – Les Misérables. The audience’s connection to the music, their own personal reflection, was very much felt for me in the absence of sound; Their sound of silence. Time very much stood still. Diolch Dan!
The choir sung another 4 pieces before the interval, the Welsh hymn “Gwahoddiad” was favourite of mine. It invited an emotional reaction from the audience, eyes a glaze with tears as the Amens rose to the heavens above. A change of tone, some lighter notes to open the 2nd half. “5”2, eyes of Blue, Has anybody seen her?” She, of “5” 2, Eyes of Blue; as of yet, is nowhere to be seen. The choir love the fun and movement of this piece; I think those watching loved it too!
Our Guest Artiste for the 2nd half was our very own Musical Director, Matthew Ioan Simms. Matt’s rendition of “O Sole Mio” (“ My Sunshine”) was sung with depth, with power, a sense of longing, a sense of “hiraeth” in the air. In “Hushaby Mountain” and “Cilfan y Coed”, Matt took us to place of “Heddwch Perffaith” for a while! Diolch Matt!
The night’s music was brought to a crescendo by “If We Only have Love”; a piece that poses and then unequivocally answer’s the question of the power and place of love in our lives. As we finished Mae Hen Wlad Fy’n Nhadau, refreshments and some rest was very much needed. And, no more so was rest deserved than for our long serving accompanist, Rhian Liles. Rhian led the way on the piano for 22 songs this evening. Diolch o ‘galon Rhian.
Our next performance welcomes Cirencester Male Voice choir to Swansea. We are singing alongside them on Saturday 26th of April 25, St Peter’s Church, Newton, SA3 4RA (7pm). We hope to see you there (see the tickets section of our website or speak to any chorister for details).
