CONCERT: The mayor of Newport, councillor David Fouweather, shared his first public engagement with about 500 senior citizens last Saturday for a concert at the Christchurch Centre, Malpas. 

Staged by the Rotary Club of Newport and sponsored by the Pobl Group, top quality music was provided by three very different ensembles - a male voice choir, an accordion group and a brass band. Alison Sutherland, assistant governor of the South Wales Rotary District was also present.

The renowned 70 strong Caldicot Male Voice Choir under the direction of Sian Hatton and Shirley-Anne James, demonstrated their versatility and choral excellence with numbers ranging from the beautiful and sensitively sung Afonaf Angel, The Impossible Dream a song from a popular broadway musical to the widely recorded and inspiring You Raise Me Up and the stirring and inspiring spiritual Ride the Chariot.

One could not fail to stirred and uplifted by the Gwent Accordion Club, musical director Dan Bailey, an ensemble consisting of three accordions, a flute and drums. 

They immediately spread sunshine and happiness amongst us with the enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment with which they played a range of well- known songs and dances. 

They created this wonderful atmosphere with a pre-concert warm up including such items as Roll out the Barrel and In the Mood. 

There was much foot tapping, clapping, singing and swaying in response to the many well-known songs, particularly in the Old Time Music Hall group of items which included items such as Ma, She’s Making Eyes at Me and The Sheik of Araby.

As well as the all-round excellence of the Newport Borough Brass Band, conductor Robin Hackett, there was an impressive abundance of individual talent. 

There were horn and cornet soloists, a trombone trio and both xylophone and euphonium duos. 

Their wide ranging programme included Shindler’s List with its haunting melody, beautifully played by guest violinist Janna Geldof and a Disney Fantasy invoking childhood memories with Whose Afraid of the Bad Wolf and When You Wish Upon a Star. Their stirring contribution ended with an amazing performance of a work usually played by a virtuoso organist, J S Bach’s Toccata in D Minor. The audience showed their appreciation at the end of the afternoon with long and rapturous applause.

The Rotary Club of Newport intend to put on another concert on May 19 2018 and is currently looking for a sponsor.