CONCERT: Caldicot Male Voice Choir and its guest artistes of wonderful tenors Rhys Meirion, Aled Wyn Davies and leading West end soprano Shân Cothi performed at the Annual Concert in Caldicot Leisure Centre on April 8.

The audience of well over 400 was treated to an evening of fabulous entertainment that will live long in the memory of all who attended.

Host and compere, BBC Wales Today presenter, Rebecca John opened proceedings by introducing 75 choristers to the stage conducted throughout by Siân Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by Stephen Berry and John Nicholson.  Rhys Meirion, Aled Wyn Davies and Shân Cothi, popularly known as ‘Two T’s and a Cothi’, accompanied throughout.

Caldicot Male Voice Choir then took to the stage once again to complete a wonderful first part with some of their favourites, including ‘Ride the Chariot’ with soloist Sián Hatton and David Gould,  ‘A Miner’s Song by Dan and Laura Curtis, Malotte’s version of The Lord’s Prayer and finalising with Haydn James’ and Jenny Trew’s arrangement of O Gymru featuring soloist,chorister Tom Hole.

Part Two opened with choir premieres of ‘With a Voice of Singing’ and the romantic ‘Anfonaf Angel’ before singing their popular version of ‘On the Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady contrasted with the beautiful, well known hymn ‘Gwahoddiad’ - ‘Invitation’.

The concert finalised with ‘You Raise Me Up’ and the Easter Hymn ‘Morte Criste’ beginning with the words ‘When I Survey the Wond’rous cross’. The audience and choir were thrilled that the guest trio of Rhys, Aled and Shân joined with the choir for the third and last verses. This promoted a long standing ovation.

After presentations and speeches, the concert closed when compère Rebecca John invited everyone to stand and sing ‘Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau,’ the Welsh National Anthem’ conducted by Siân Hatton and accompanied by Stephen Berry.

Invited guests for the evening included Brig. Robert Aitken CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Gwent; Kevin Thomas, High Sheriff of Gwent and Dr. Haydn James, Musical Director of the Welsh Rugby Union as well as representatives of Monmouthshire County Council.

The Choir is also extremely grateful to Caldicot Metal Decorating Ltd, represented by Mr Richard O’Neill for so generously sponsoring this event.

There is little doubt that this was one of the best concerts ever presented by Caldicot Male Voice Choir and everyone left that evening knowing that they had witnessed something special.  How do we follow that?