The choir performs without referring to words and music and many of the members do not read music. Consequently, learning new pieces can take some time. Regular attendance at rehearsals is a fundamental part of the learning process. Some believe that equally regular attendance at local drinking establishments following choir practice is also important. These group activities are (or should be) supplemented by private practice with the aid of CDs of the repertoire for each section. The library of practice CDs is being developed to facilitate the progress of new members of the choir to full concert performance fitness.
The choir’s repertoire “rolls along” with new pieces replacing some of the established items every few months as they achieve a good enough standard for concert performance. The aim is to retain a balance in the programme so that every audience is offered variety and good entertainment. Pieces currently in the performance/learning repertoire (and in no particular order) include:
Beati Mortui
A Latin hymn, words and music by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Voice of the Child
With words by Sarah McNeill and music by Goff Richards, this lively piece endorses the universal desire “let there be love”.
Morte Christe
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Emrys Jones is the invariable finale to the choir’s concerts and has been performed at the funerals of choir members .
Yellow Bird & Jamaica Farewell
A couple of calypsos to sway to.
Yellow Bird – words by Marilyn Keith & Alan Bergman, music Norman Luboff, arr. Marcel G. Frank
Jamaica Farewell – traditional words and music arr. William O. Jones
Seasons Of Love
Rock Ballad from the musical Rent words and music by Jonathan Larson based
on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème
Prayer of the Children
Words and music by Kurt Bestor, arr.by Andrea S. Klouse. Bestor wrote this after witnessing an atrocity during the Balkan wars “Those children didn’t hate anybody,” he said. “They didn’t care about who owned the land, or who had the power or the money. These are adult neuroses. They just wanted to have a mom and dad and a place to play”. Prayer of the Children
Songs from The Land Of The Long White Cloud
Four Maori melodies arr. Gwyn Arch starting with the Haka to get the audience awake!
Yesterday
This will take you back to your youth with Lennon & McCartney’s song, arr. Alan Simmons
Song Of The Jolly Roger
A pirating song for bold buccaneers, words and music by C. F. Chudleigh Candish
Gwahoddiad
A Welsh song by Ieuan Gwyllt, in English by Lewis Hartsough arr. John Tudor Davies
Alexander’s Ragtime band
As it says, a ragtime song by Irvin Berlin, arr. Denys Hood
Close Thine Eyes
Unaccompanied, words attributed to Charles I, music by Ieuan Rees-Davies
Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)
Does anyone not know this Irish Folksong? Arr. Gwyn Arch
The Rose
Words and music by Amanda McBroom, as sung by Bette Midler, arr. Alwyn Hunphreys
Lily Of The Valley
An American spiritual song
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
An Elton John & Tim Rice composition for The Lion King, arr. Keith Christopher
Amen, incorporating’This Little Light of Mine’
An American swing time spiritual, arr. Alan Simmons
Down By The Riverside
American Spiritual with a wonderful solo opening by a 2nd Bass (currently Russ Harrison), arr. Gwyn Arch.
Hey, Look Me Over
From the musical Wildcat a crowd pleasing full throttle number, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and music by Cy Coleman, arr. Clay Warnick
Angels
As performed by Robbie Williams, believe it or believe it not, some of the choir had never heard it! . Words and music by Robert Williams and Guy Chambers, arr. David Lawrence
Deus Salutis
Well known hymn sung in Welsh by GH Jones, arr. Mansel Thomas
In rehearsal for future concerts :
Watching The Wheat
Traditional Welsh folk song (especially for harp), arr. Gwyn Arch
Take Me Home Country Roads
American Country, words and music by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver, arr. Gary D Fry
African Trilogy
Traditional Zulu, road gang work song and the National Anthem of South Africa, arr. Gwyn Arch
Homeless
African folk song included in Paul Simon’s Graceland collection, arr. Allan King.
Bryn Calfaria
Based on a poem written by William Owen this traditional Welsh hymn is the alternative musical score of ’ Bread Of Heaven’
What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor
The well known English sea shanty, arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw
Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)
Remember Harry Belafonte, his version became a Billboard chart hit in 1957, feeling old now? This Jamacan calypso was written by Irving Burgie and William Attaway and arranged by Ned Ginsburg.