Over forty Gwalia members set off from Swansea Airport on the 6th December for a return concert with the Cirencester Male Voice choir. We stopped for lunch on the way and then settled in to the Cirencester Premier Inn.
The concert took place in the amazing Parish Church of St John Baptist in the Market Square, well worth a visit if you are ever in Cirencester. The purpose of the concert was to raise money for a worthy and deserving cause – the Longfield Hospice who provide wellbeing services, counselling and bereavement support to adults impacted by a life-limiting condition.
The audience were treated to a magical musical night, full of variety. Firstly, the Cirencester Male Voice Choir sang Gaudete, Speed Your Journey, Let The Lower Lights and The Pearl Fishers Duet. Then we went on stage to perform Let All Men Sing, Rhys, Always On My Mind and Five Foot Two.
Before the interval we were treated to a mesmerising piano duet by the Willshire Piano Duo who played four pieces from the Nutcracker Suite. The second half was started off by the wonderful guest soprano, Harriet Perfect. She sang several items including “Goodnight Moon” which was a special highlight.
The Gwalia Singers then sang Y Tangnefeddwyr, And Can It Be, Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, One More Mile To Go and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas followed by the Cirencester choir singing Stout Hearted Men, There Is Faint Music, White Christmas and the wonderful hymn Morte Criste. For the Finale both choirs came together with Harriet to perform O Holy Night and Cwm Rhondda.
Both choirs then retired to the Cirencester Rugby Club where we were treated to a hot meal. As usual a few beers were drunk and a lovely evening of afterglow singing followed. The following day we left Cirencester to travel home via The Bell Hanger in Chepstow for bit of lunch before getting home at about 4:40. (More Photos)
