When we agreed our concert programme at the start of the year I recall that one of the underlying objectives was to have an easier year than we had had with our 40th anniversary year in 2015. Somehow it doesn’t seem like that!!

Last week was typical with a concert in St. John’s in aid of church funds on Tuesday, followed by a rehearsal on Thursday and then an open air barbecue and concert at Cresswell Quay on Friday. We also continue to be in demand with recent approaches from Specsavers for whom we held four outdoor performances last year and also from a coporate entertainments organiser who wishes to talk to us about an appearance at Celtic Manor later in the year. It is clear that the choir’s reputation is not only being maintained but growing. Above all though its fun.

The Tuesday concert was rated by our musical director as one of our best and the audience certainly thought so. In terms of its financial objectives to raise funds for the church we were delighted to receive a thank you letter from them which was read out on Thursday evening saying that the takings may represent a record for the church. We understand it was around £800.

The soloist on that evening was local girl Lara Thomas who’s family are strong supporters of the church. Lara is now studying Biology at Wadham College, Oxford but often finds time to perform for the church. Lara’s violin pieces were Air for the G String by J.S. Bach, Salut d’Amour by Edward Elgar and two of the Hungarian Dances. The Hungarian dances are a suite of 21 lively dance tunes based mainly on Hungarian themes which were completed in 1869. Lara played one composed by August Nolck and one by Johannes Brahms and was accompanied throughout by Dr Helena Hounsell on piano.

Variety is the spice of life and in complete contrast to Tuesday our open air barbecue and concert at Cresswell Quay was a light hearted evening. Choir members cooked and served beefburgers and hot dogs and then having been relieved by some willing and able supporters were able to sing in front of the ivy clad landmark inn. It is really encouraging to see that our performance can be enjoyed by many people who might not normally think of going to a male voice choir concert but there is no doubt about their enthusiasm. Adults and children alike were entertained. It was with great disappointment within the audience that our entertaining Master of Ceremonies David Blackmore brought the concert to an end after two encores. They do say “Leave them wanting more.” don’t they? We certainly did that.

By the time this report appears we will have held further concerts at the Giltar Hotel and at St. Marys and next week on Thursday 11th August we will be back at St. Mary’s Tenby holding a concert in support of the Tenby Museum and Tudor Merchants House. This starts at 8pm and I suppose there is always the chance of a last minute decision to sing down at the Tenby harbour on Tuesday, weather permitting of course

Singing is fun and challenging but there is a lot of work involved in running the choir. We have a project under way at the moment to try to encourage non-singing supporters to join in with the running of the choir. We think there is a lot of enjoyment to be had on the social side whilst helping us to meet our objectives of raising funds for worthy charities and putting Tenby and the wider area on the map. So if you think you could give some time to this without wanting to be a singing member please get in touch.

There is much more information about the choir on our website www.tenbymalechoir.org or Facebook account (just do an internet search for Tenby Male Choir Facebook). A final thing for local people male or female to think about is that we are keen to develop on the small “Friends of the Choir” organisation and if you perhaps don’t want to sing but would like to join in the social side and if possible help the choir you would be very welcome.

Our secretary David Stewart-Walvin is always glad to receive a phone call from interested people on 01834 844926.