On Saturday 9th April, Monmouth Male Voice Choir began their 10th Anniversary year with a concert at the Hood Memorial Hall, Devauden, in support of those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

On this occasion the choir were conducted by guest Musical Director Jonathan Gulliford, the acclaimed conductor of Pontypridd Male Choir.

Throughout the evening the audience, in a packed village hall, were entertained by the choir and some virtuoso performances from soloists Alison Wray, Emily Walker and violinist Christoph Mädler.

The 39 strong choir, with their regular accompanist David Carr, began the concert with some favourite numbers: Gwahoddiad, Anfonaf Angel and Gweddi’r Arglwydd (The Lord’s Prayer) before they were joined by Christoph Mädler, leader of the St Woolos Sinfonia, for a very moving rendition of Tell My Father. Soprano Alison Wray, accompanied by Sian Davies then sang an eclectic mix that included pieces by J.S. Bach, Jonny Dankworth and Flanders and Swann.

MMVC then completed the first half with a rugby favourite Rachie, a newly learnt number Nkosi Sikelele and a delightful Welsh lullaby, Suo Gan, during which they were joined by young soloist, Emily Walker.

After the interval the choir continued with Sarah, Divine Brahma and an immensely powerful rendition of Gwinllan A Roddwyd I’m Gofal.

Alison Wray then returned and supported by Christoph, performed the beautiful Richard Strauss classic Morgen, Dream a Little Dream (Schwandt and Andree) and concluded with the light-hearted There are fairies at the bottom of our garden (Lisa Lehmann).

This most enjoyable musical evening was brought to conclusion by the excellent male voice choir singing, Benedictus, Sound of Silence and Calon Lan, interspersed with a magical rendition from Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, given by Richard Mitchley, as the choir sung Sunset Poem.

Those lucky enough to attend had certainly experienced a night to remember.

And the cool spring evening air was a buzz of excitement as villagers made their way home, happy in the knowledge that they had helped raise more than £1,000 for such a worthy cause.

The next opportunity for you to hear this fabulous male voice choir will be on May 28 at Live on the Wye, Redbrook Festival.