ABERTILLERY ORPHEUS MALE CHOIR
CÔR MEIBION ABERTYLERI
FOUNDED 1908
PATRON: Robert Lloyd CBE
Site updated:17 September, 2007
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ABERTILLERY ORPHEUS MALE CHOIR CÔR MEIBION ABERTYLERI |
FOUNDED 1908 PATRON: Robert Lloyd CBE Site updated:17 September, 2007 |
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Scotland Tour April 2001
Abertillery Orpheus will be taking the music of the Wales to Scotland this Easter when they return to for there second visit following a very successful tour to West Killbride in 1992. During the tour the choir performed at four different venues including a two hour open air concert at the Rivergate Centre Irvine as part of the Annual Merry Mass Festival, the choir leaving with the words ''Will Ye No Come Back Again?'' ringing in their ears.
On this occasion the tour will take the choir to Glasgow were they will be staying at The Beardmore Conference Hotel.
Traveling as guest artist of the choir will once again be the superb singing voice of soprano Jill Padfield. Jill being a firm Favorite of the choir having accompanied them as guest soloist on many occasions. Including their recent tour of Canada.
WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN ?
Another historic page will be added to the archive of the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir following their unique invitation to take part in the Festival of Mary Mass which takes place annually in Irvine, Ayrshire.
Concert one saw the choir giving a two hour open air concert in Rivergate Centre to a very large audience, hardly anyone moved during the performance and the cry of 'More' followed. To add welshness to the accession Chris Budd and Jean Hunt wore Welsh costumes and received great attention.
Gig two was at St. Andrews Church, West Killbride and
the audience enjoyed an outstanding concert by the choir and artistes. The varied programme arranged by musical director Martin Budd with music to suit all tastes, the lyrical tenor voice of Len King, and the equally pleasing baritone voice of John Reece supported by bass singer Brian Tucker added an extra dimension to the wonderful concert. In between all this Martin Budd narrated Dylan Thomas's 'The Outing' and 'The Eisteddfod'.Concert three was held at The Magnum Leisure Centre in Irvine,and another capacity audience enjoyed another outstanding performance of choir and artistes. The impact of the choir's previous concerts brought folk from many miles and another great ovation was received and the choir truly were the 'Talk of the Town'. The expected excellent accompaniment of Joy King was as usual loudly applauded, and the organ accompaniment of Aled Liddington added that extra dimension to the music.
Saturday brought the crowning of the Mary Mass Queen and her four Mary's, followed by a most spectacular parade, pipe bands, Shetland ponies to huge Clydesdale horses, and people dressed as characters of the past.
On Sunday morning at the Old Parish Church, the choir gave a fifteen minute programme before the service and the unusual experience of applause at such time. After the service the church members provided a grand buffet before the choir set off for home.
The sale of tapes and records was outstanding as a result of the choir's impact on the public, much to the delight of Les Meredith who looks after this department. The memorable tour was arranged by Don Powell, and thanks to Vice President Ken Mason for his services in the selling of tapes and records. The hospitality of the Scottish folk made the tour all that more enjoyable, and their last words were
'' WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN ''
GWENT GAZETTE MAY 2001
SCOTLAND TOUR
Good Friday dawned and before the Easter eggs and hot cross buns were eaten, members of Abertillery Male Orpheus choir, and friends, filled the coaches for a long weekend in Scotland.
After a marathon journey, they arrived at the Beardsmore conference hotel in Clydebank, on the outskirts of Glasgow.Within an hour of arrival, a meal was provided and the party of 108 spent a relaxing evening at the hotel.
Saturday morning after a hearty breakfast the intrepid voyagers once more boarded the coaches and went their separate ways, one to Glasgow and the other to Edinburgh.
On their return after dinner, another evening of good humour, song and social bonding followed. On Sunday morning, a group attended the service at the local Salvation Army Citadel and were given a warm welcome.This turned out to be a most uplifting service.
Early afternoon in the conference centre a rehearsal was held in anticipation of the evening concert. The short journey to Dumbarton found the party at the West Kirk, though the wind was chilly the reception from the large Scottish audience more then compensated for it.Under their new Musical Director, Stephen Bard, and accompanied by Penny Hughes, the choir gave a varied selection of pieces including solos from choristers Malcolm Taylor and Malcolm Macdonald. They were fortunate that they had the services of life President Trevor Wilde MBE who gave his items in his own inimitable way.As a bonus the audience were thrilled by the selected arias from their guest artist Jill Padfield, who received sustained applause after each of her numbers.
After the concert, the whole party returned to the hotel, where the lounge echoed with many old favourites and items from "volunteers" until the early hours!
Prospects of the long journey home were lightened by the comments from the Scots,
"Will ye no come back again, and haste ye back".
'CAIRNDHU'
BUCKANAN STREET
DUMBARTON
DUMBARTONSHIRE
3rd May 2001.
Dear Don
It was a wonderful evening of superb music enjoyed by all who were present. If at any time you feel like returning to Scotland please let us know and we will do our best to fit in another concert here in Dumbarton.
While the talk here is of the very fine choir singing we heard mention must be made to the excellent contribution to the evening's entertainment made by Jill. She gave a good varied programme which delighted all who hears it. Of course, mention must also be made of Penny's musicianship as accompanist- and cat singing with Jill- which was admired greatly by the audience- especially the numerous musicians who were there.
Thank you once again for coming to Dumbarton and letting us here some of the magnificent Welsh singing for which your country can be justly proud.
Yours sincerely
Mac Cumming