Grounds for optimism as choir back together
Meeting up outside with friends and loved ones has been on many people’s checklists since lockdown starting to ease.
But what about meeting up outside at a rugby club for choir practice? That is exactly what one Swansea choir is doing now that freedom is slowly being returned.
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit our shores in March last year, choirs such as the Morriston RFC Male Choir were forced to batten down the hatches and log on to an online realm of weekly songs and practice via webcam.
It was a challenge that the choir met head on, which is one of Wales’ leading choirs and with more than 90 choristers is one of the largest.
It is also a registered charity deeply involved in fundraising for local and national charities.
Earlier this month members set foot in Neath RFC’S Gnoll ground to fill their lungs with fresh air before belting out some familiar choir favourites outdoors for the first time since lockdown some 15 months ago.
It was a welcome session, said Paul Baker, chair of Morriston RFC Male Choir. He said: “The full rehearsal was attended by 43 eager choristers and the choir were extremely pleased to accept the generous offer to hold their rehearsals at the Gnoll.
“Given the warm welcome, the relaxation of the lockdown, and the ability to sing in a safe and secure environment, the choir decided the time was right to get together for a full rehearsal.”
Reaching this point has been a long road of practices via their mobile tablets and computer screens over the last year to finally being able to meet up in person.
Paul said: “We had met throughout lockdown with regular weekly Zoom quiz meetings.
“Members of the choir began these meetings as complete novices and not without more than a little challenge to the less IT literate amongst us.
“However, through the patience and assistance of Russell Thomas our deputy chair we battled through.
“In fact, we became quite expert and with the growing expertise the choir decided to attempt online rehearsal.”
Paul added: “Zoom meetings really kept the choir together through extremely difficult and challenging times.
“Unfortunately, the choir has lost a number of committed and dedicated members through a variety of circumstances during the pandemic. The choir is planning to hold a commemorative concert at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston, on October 23, to pay tribute to these members and to all those that lost their lives during the pandemic.”
As well as Zoom meetings the choir has kept itself in the public eye thanks to online performances posted on Facebook.
There have also been a number of unexpected benefits of the work of the choir during the pandemic and one example is described by one of the choir’s members, John Davies.
John said: “My daughter who works in a hospital in Oxford shares all the choir videos with friends.
“One of her friends is a nurse and in March last year viewed one of our videos which was titled Remembrance, then showed it to her father who was in hospital.
“He had lived here in Swansea in his early days before moving to England and he loves listening to Welsh choirs.
“He was so emotional watching and hearing our choir singing Tell My Father, that his daughter contacted us and asked could we send more tracks to him, which we were pleased to do.”
Until choristers can meet in a safe and secure fashion indoors and return to its usual rehearsal venue of Seion Newydd, Morriston, the choir will continue to meet at Neath Rugby Club every Wednesday at 7pm for the foreseeable future.
The choir is always keen to welcome new members and anyone interesting in joining can drop into a practice session at the rugby club.