SUMMER CONCERT

On Thursday July 1st, the Gwent Police Choir joined with High Cross Junior Choir and Orchestra and various instrumental groups from Bassaleg School for a concert at Bassaleg School.

The stormy weather couldn’t destroy the feeling of elation in the hall when, one after another, the youngsters showed their musical ability and thrilled everyone.

The headmaster, Mr. Sherlock introduced the programme and welcomed everyone, then it was over to the Gwent Police Choir who opened with the rousing ‘African Prayer’, then in complete contrast sang the gentle ‘Down by the Salley Gardens’, with its lovely arrangement by John Rutter, following this with the lovely Welsh hymn tune ‘Rachie’. The High Cross Orchestra then gave us the Brudenell Waltz, Tango and Cha Cha, Half Minute Waltz, Themes from the Water Music and finally Last-Minute Latin.

It was then over to Bassaleg Year 7 Instrumentalists who played This is how the Music Goes and Yellow Submarine.

Once again it was over to the Gwent Police Choir who delighted everyone with three songs from Les Miserables – I Dreamed a Dream, Bring him Home, and finally Do you hear the People sing?

High Cross Choir, with over 32 children, sang a selection from ‘Ocean Commotion’ which included a plea for the dear old shark! It was then the turn of the Gwent Police choir who sang You Raise me Up and the American Trilogy.

The Bassaleg Viola Quartet were next with a French piece of music called La Fleur que t’u m’avais jetee. The Bassaleg String Ensemble followed this with the lovely Canon in D by Pachabel.

The Gwent Police Choir finished by singing the expressive Nirvana and finally Cwm Rhondda. It was then the turn of all the choristers, young and young in heart, to join in a lovely song from Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, called ‘Another Day’. This rightly drew a standing ovation, and as an encore they all sang it again.

Thanks must go to Mike Gough who kept everything flowing smoothly with his usual jokes and wit.

Following the concert, the raffle prizes were drawn and bouquets presented to Nicola Coker, accompanist of the Police Choir, and the choir mistress of the High Cross choir. Suitable gifts were also given to Rodger Appleby, musical director of the Police Choir, the headmaster of the school and of course Mike Gough.

GWENT POLICE CHOIR AND FRIENDS OF TREDEGAR HOUSE

On 23rd June the Friends of Tredegar House invited the choir to present a concert at St. Joseph’s High School, Newport to raise money for the purchase of many items which had been lost/sold and which the Friends would like to see back in their original surroundings at the House.

On this occasion the guest artistes were Christine Purkiss and Veronica A. Walsh [who also accompanied Christine for her solos].cert in usual stirring fashion with the African Prayer and Rachie. Christine then delighted the audience with music from Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years – Waltz of my Heart and My Life Belongs to You.

After the choir entertained with 3 songs from Les Miserables It was the turn of Veronica to play two piano solos – Theme from Romeo and Juliet and the theme from the film Love Story.

The choir then closed the first half with Rodger Appleby’s setting of The Lord’s Prayer and the lovely song Nirvana.

The choir opened the second half with the American Trilogy and the lovely John Rutter setting of the folk song Down by the Sally Gardens.

Christine then gave us three songs in complete contrast – Can’t Help Lovin’ dat Man o’ Mine from Showboat, the Audition Song from Strauss’s Die Fledermaus and Norah Blaney’s song Mr. Bear. Christine received a very well deserved ovation for her songs – and the way she acted the part of the character in each song.

The choir then sang again, this time two songs arranged by Rodger – You Raise me Up and All for the Best – the latter from Godspell.

Veronica returned to the piano to delight us with a traditional Spanish folk melody called Romance and Monti’s Czardas. The choir brought the concert to a close with their traditional final two pieces – Nessun Dorma and Cwm Rhondda.

Thanks were given to Rodger Appleby, musical director, and Nicola Coker, choir accompanist, bouquets were presented to the ladies and other gifts to Rodger and Mike.

We subsequently learned that, with sale of tickets and raffle tickets, the evening raised around £1,000.

Bill Taylor, who has been a member of the baritone section of the choir since 1988, has every reason to be proud of his granddaughter Megan who lives in Malvern.

Megan has become the under 11 Girl's Mega champion of Worcester at chess, this puts her in the competition later this year to become the Giga Champion of chess.

The choir wish her well and will follow her progress with interest.

The choir are very sad to announce the death of Ron Bendall.

He was described by all who knew him as a real gentleman, always happy to help in any way he could.

He joined the Police Force in 1966 and shortly afterwards met Cheryl, his wife of almost 43 years.

As a young man he enjoyed the game of rugby playing for a number of teams including Newport, Newbridge and Monmouthshire. He also played for Gwent Police, Welsh Police and British Police teams.

He also loved singing, joining the Gwent Police Choir and enjoying many years of fun, laughter and companionship. He particularly enjoyed tours and meeting like-minded people along the way.

Ron was a great practical joker and when on tour could often be found with a beer tray in his hand as choir members awaited another round of 'Cock Robin'. His party piece was leading a very animated rendition of 'Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off to work we go' as members followed him across the floor and over furniture. Also a clean hanky was always ready for 'The Old Rocking Chair'.

He will be missed by all his friends in The Gwent Police Choir.

2010 started for Gwent Police Choir with a very successful concert at Magor Church raising over £500 for the church funds.

Two local concerts followed again well attended. Our favourite venue at St. Julian’s Methodist Church giving the choir the opportunity to raise funds for Children in Action.

GPC Concert, St. Julians Methodist Church, 20th March 2010

The church was almost full on the night of Saturday March 20th, when St. Julian's Methodist church once again played host to the Gwent Police Choir. This time, the concert was in aid of Action Aid for Children, which most people will remember as the National Children’s Home, a charity very close to Methodist hearts.

The concert was introduced by Rev. Richard Gillion, who is the minister at St. Julian's, and he thanked everyone in advance.

The concert began in usual stirring style with the African Prayer, followed by the Welsh hymn tune Rachie. Following these two pieces we were delighted to see Don Martin after a long spell of illness, who sang two solos – Girls were Made to Love and Kiss, and The Rose, the song made famous by Bette Midler.

The choir then resumed with 3 songs from Les Miserables, I Dreamed a Dream, Bring him Home and Do you hear the people sing? Rodger then showed his versatility by playing two piano solos – one a Chopin Waltz and the other a composition of his own, a lovely with a beautiful melody.

To conclude the first half the choir then sang The Lord’s Prayer, this time a setting composed by Rodger, and the stirring song once beloved by baritone soloists – Nirvana.

It was at this time that Jason, who is very involved with the work for Action Aid for Children, was asked to come and speak for a few moments about the work he is involved in. He thanked the choir, Rodger and Nicola for giving their time so freely to raise money for this charity.

Following a break for tea and light refreshments, the choir then resumed, beginning the second half with Chattanooga Choo Choo, with Stuart providing the train whistle accompaniment! This was followed by the American Trilogy, once recorded by Elvis Presley.

Don took to the floor again to sing a parodied version of the Jimmy Brown Song, which he sang unaccompanied. You could hear a pin drop throughout, save for the bursts of laughter that came through now and then. He concluded his second spot with The Wing Beneath my Wings.

It was back to the choir again for the first rendition [at St. Julian's] of You Raise me Up, to be followed by the lovely Celtic folk song, Down by the Salley Gardens, with the unmistakable setting written by John Rutter.

Rodger then took to the piano and played Debussy’s Arabesque – a technically demanding piece but one which Rodger played with an ease that seemed to belie the difficulty.

The choir’s final pieces were two well known favourites, Nessun Dorma and Cwm Rhondda. Following this second piece, Rev. Richard Gillion asked ‘do you know the Welsh National Anthem?’ with a smile, and remembering Wales’s triumph over Italy on the Rugby field, everyone stood to sing with a gusto that raised the roof.

Following this, Rev. Richard thanked all who had taken part, including Mike Gough who had compered with his usual wit and humour. Our thanks do indeed go out to Rodger and Nicola, not just for the brilliance of the concert itself, but for all the hard work they put in week by week at rehearsals.

The choir are excited at the news that a trip to Prague to sing with Police Choirs from other countries could be in the pipeline next year and are looking forward to singing at various venues for the rest of this year, please check our Events page.

ANNUAL CONCERT 21st NOVEMBER 2009

Once again St. Julian’s Methodist Church was host to the Gwent Police Choir for their 40th Annual Concert and again all tickets were sold before the day. It was a delight to see so many friends from past years.

This year we were delighted to welcome as our guest artist Rhys Matthews, son of our choir’s accompanist Nicola Coker. Rhys is an outstanding percussionist who only this year graduated from the Royal College of Music, Manchester with a first class honours degree.

In between the various spots of the choir and guest artist, our compere Mike Gough, a valued member of the choir, entertained in his usual witty style.

Welcome guests in the audience were Councillor David Hando, a great ambassador for the choir with his contributions to Grassroots in the Argus, and Superintendent Ray Wise and his wife.
The choir began in their usual fine form with a stirring rendering of the African Prayer followed by the Welsh hymn tune Rachie. Rhys then proved his ability on the marimba by treating us to Lijah and Hombre d’Aout.
The choir then gave us three songs from Les Miserables, I Dreamed a Dream, Bring Him Home and Do You Hear The People Sing. Rhys returned and gave a foot tapping version of Black and White Rag, then a lesser known piece – Flying.
Concluding the first half, a new arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer by Rodger Appleby our conductor then in complete contrast ‘Nirvana’ a song usually associated with a baritone soloist.

The second half opened with Chatanooga Choo-Choo, Stewart Ashdown causing hilarity with his dexterity on the wooden whistle, followed by a spirited version of ‘American Trilogy’.
Rhys, then again showed his versatility in all things to do with percussion by using an African drum for a number called fittingly ‘To the Gods of Rhythm’ following this with a piece called ‘Land’.

The choir took over for their penultimate spot, singing Rodger’s arrangement of The Toreador Song form Carmen, then John Rutter’s beautiful setting of the folk song Down by the Salley Gardens. Finally the tongue twisting song All For the Best from the musical Godspell.
For Rhys’s final spot he returned to the marimba to play ‘Libertango’, following this with the well known Czardis by Monti which drew everyone to their feet for a well deserved standing ovation. The choir concluded with Nessun Dorma and Cwm Rhondda.

Mention must be made of Rodger doing what he excels at – teaching people to sing. He taught the audience ‘Zion I wanna go home’ when he thought we were confident enough he brought in the choir, half singing Wade in the Water, and the others, Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child. We might not have made the finals of Last Choir Standing, but thanks to Rodger the sound was a joyous and tuneful one.

After the usual presentations to Nicola, Rodger, Rhys and Mike Gough. A cheque for £300 was presented to Chief Supt. Wise for the Child Victims of Crime, he regaled us with the tale of how he panicked when addressing the Archbishop of Canterbury at a function and simply said “Thanks Bish” drawing a sharp dig in the ribs from his wife.
A cheque for the same amount was given to Velindre Hospital, the charity chosen when on of the choir members this year lost his wife Sue. She had been one of the leading lights of the ladies group, always on duty in the background ensuring things ran smoothly, before she lost her fight with cancer.
During the evening we were delighted to sing Happy 80th Birthday to Rene Hapgood, widow of the one time chairman and compere of the choir.
Rodger then led the choir and audience in the singing of the Welsh National Anthem.
Everyone agreed it had been splendid concert and the choir are looking forward to making a CD in January 2010 and giving concerts around the county and further afield.

We welcome two new choristers Mike Coombs and Peter Colman

Gwent Police Choir is back in business after the summer break, the first half of the year saw them at seventeen different venues giving their usual polished performance, all for various charities.

This year they have gone from strength to strength gaining four new members bringing their number up to 45, but will always welcome anyone who wishes to come along to a practice night on Monday or Thursday. You don't have to be a member of the Police Force and experience is not necessary as they will enjoy encouragement and expert tuition from Musical Director Rodger Appleby.

The choir are well supported by wives and friends, many of whom travel to concerts both in Gwent and many other parts of the country. An annual 'rest and recuperation' weekend is also enjoyed, sometimes at home such as Tenby or Bournemouth, sometimes abroad. All are looking forward to the Annual Dinner Dance at The Commodore Hotel in Cwmbran later this month.

Look out for tickets for the Annual Concert held at St Julian's Methodist Church, Caerleon Road on 21st November, this venue is always well attended, last year all 288 seats available were sold out one month before the night.

There are a few vacant date for 2010, and if anyone wishes to book them please contact Bill Taylor on 01633 257601. All other enquiries ring Ron Comfort, Publicity Officer, 01633 667800. Out website is www.gwent-police-choir.co.uk.

It is with deep regret that we have recently lost one of our newer, but highly thought of members, Charles Codogan. Charlie had only been with the Choir for about 3 years, but during that time endeared himself to all of us.

Charlie was a fun loving, gentle person, who although suffered from cancer, never let it stop him from enjoying life. We had a number of ‘after concert’ concerts with Charlie leading the singing whilst playing his guitar.

In the relatively short time I knew Charlie, I found him to be a man who cared greatly about others. Charlie raised thousands of pounds by writing poetry, which was published and sold, the proceeds going to charity.

Charlie was one of life’s ‘True Gentlemen’. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Events since last March

Two very successful fund raising concerts took place earlier this year, both Health Help International and The Parkinson’s Society were well attended and enjoyed by all.

In May the choir travelled to Bristol to join The Kidderminster Valentines, a ladies choir, for a concert at Knowle Methodist Church.

A warm welcome to two new members for the Bass section. Hugh Williams and Mike Thomas. A past member Richard Sinnett has rejoined. “Welcome Back”

Wales and USA come together in song!

Saturday 11th July 2009, a very unseasonal summer evening with plenty of rain when the Police Choir and guests, the Oneida mixed Choir from New York State arrived for a combined concert at Beechwood Park Presbyterian Church, Newport, and we did wonder if the weather might put off some people from attending. By the time the concert began the church was almost full both downstairs and up in the gallery, Many faithful family and friends of the Choir were joined by an enthusiastic audience who braved the elements. The Oneida Area Civic Chorale, on a tour of Europe which took in a concert at Blaenavon the evening before, began the programme with a beautiful sacred song called Creation following with an American Tapestry, a selection of folk songs.

The police choir followed with An African Prayer, John Rutter’s setting of Down by the Salley Gardens and the Welsh hymn tune Rachie. Our guests then sang Amazing Grace and When the Saints Go Marching In, both different from the police choir’s versions, finishing this section with All that Jazz from Chicago and Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch, which drew warm applause.

The police choir then sang three songs from Les Miserables – I Dreamed a Dream, Bring him Home and Do you Hear the People Sing?

As there was no interval, it was over to the Oneida choir again for a lovely trio of songs from American musicals, a lovely arrangement of Lullaby of Broadway, The Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady and My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music.

The final three songs from the police choir were Nirvana, a song usually associated with a baritone soloist, then All for the Best from Godspell and finally the American Trilogy.

The Oneida choir ended the concert with Billy Joel’s song New York State of Mind, then a version of Alexander’s Ragtime Band and finally the haunting song by Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge over Troubled Waters., which brought the audience to their feet in a well deserved ovation.

The concert concluded with a presentation from the Chairman of the GPC to the Oneida choir of a love spoon carved in the shape of a treble clef, the president of the Oneida choir gave a lovely silver plate made in their home town, which is very famous for its silverware.

Finally to the delight of the audience, the Americans had taken the trouble to learn the Welsh National Anthem, and stood to sing it with the police choir and the audience. It made a fitting conclusion to the concert.

But no concert is complete without those who put everything together, and thanks must go to Rodger Appleby, musical director of the police choir and Kimberley Nethaway, musical director of the Oneida choir, Nicola Coker, accompanist of the police choir and a new pianist for the Oneida choir.

We could not let the evening go by without giving hearty thanks to Mike Gough who compered the whole concert in his usual witty and smooth way, even at one point taking the baton from Kim [after a lot of persuasion!] and acting as conductor. It was Mike who revealed that the Oneida choir had been formed in 1967, just two years before the police choir.

But even that wasn’t quite the end, because the two choirs and their supporters went downstairs to the schoolroom where a beautiful buffet had been prepared by the ladies of the police choir. After eating, drinking [tea and soft drinks!] and exchanging plenty of greetings and news, the Oneida choir gathered to sing as a farewell ‘God be with you till we meet again’ singing unaccompanied, to which the police choir and friends responded with ‘We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Hillside.’

There are also others who deserve our thanks also, and they are the elders and members of Beechwood Park Church who readily opened up the schoolroom and kitchen and prepared the worship area itself for the concert.

I think everyone agreed that it had been a wonderful evening, well worth braving the weather for!

Wales and USA come together in song! ,CLICK on to view larger image.

Welcome New Choristers - Bryn Thomas (Bass) and John Taylor (Tenor)

The choir's concert on 14th March at The Catholic Hall Cwmbran was a resounding success, these comments are from one of the choristers who helped organise the event.

I'd like to add my appreciation and thanks to those expressed by Parish Priest Father John Meredith, the plaudits I received from people who attended the concert made me really proud to be associated with the choir. I felt, although we were entertaining the audience, we too were enjoying the event.

Also a big thank you to my old friend Bryn Davies and his sons, otherwise known as the Bryn Davies Quartet, they were truly excellent, the audience warmed to them especially young Bryn who is already a talented musician at the tender age of 14.

It was a cold and damp evening, so it wasa pleasant surprise that so many had braved the weather, it made for a really warm and friendly atmosphere. The sum raised was £710. Many thanks for all help and contributions.

It’s that time of the year, folks! The Gwent Police choir are off on their travels again – the weekend set aside for some R & R.

Our journey by ferry was uneventful until we landed, one of our new choristers Derek and his wife Dot spent a little too long on the top deck and didn’t make it back to the coach. Their faces were a picture as we drove off without them, needless to say we did pull in and wait till they caught us up, It will be a while before he’s allowed to forget it.

The venue chosen was the Isle of Wight, and we stayed at the Shanklin Beach Hotel. After all the dreadful weather we’d been having lately, we were delighted to find that the forecast was for sunny weather, it was glorious; sun shining down from a blue sky – but none of the party felt brave enough to venture into the sea.

While some of the more energetic decided to walk to Ventnor, the rest of us opted for a bus trip, which took us first to Newport and then on to Ryde for a look around and – dare I say it? – some shopping.

The hotel had planned entertainment for the two evenings, Our MC for the first evening came round to each person beforehand, asking us which of our favourite singing stars we would like to see and hear, many opted for the ‘golden oldies’ like Elvis and Frank Sinatra, while a few surprises crept in, like Frankie Laine. To our amazement, moments later, via a huge television screen, every single name mentioned was shown singing, with the compere holding the whole thing together smoothly and easily, it was all done there and then, and even those who might have gone to bed stayed till the end. We were taken back to many of the stars of the forties and fifties, with little snippets of information and humour linking each film clip.

The following evening we were treated to a Country and Western singer who invited those who felt energetic enough to join in a dance, which they did, with great enthusiasm.

We left the Shanklin Beach on the Sunday morning for the journey home broken by a lunch stop in Newbury.

Many thanks to Phil, our chairman, for organising everything, we were sorry he and Chris were unable to come at the last minute because Chris was unwell, but Alf and Bill stepped into the breach, armed with all Phil’s notes, including the now-famous quiz and the bonus ball competition. Only one question remains – where are we going next year?