September 2015 - Australian Welsh Male Choir

AWMC NEWS
Est. 1973 Celebrating 42 Years of Singing
Sepember 2015 Issue
Newsletter of the Australian Welsh Male Choir
Côr Meibion Cymreig Awstralia Inc.
ANOTHER PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHOIR
Many members of the AWMC were enjoying a post UK singing tour holiday through UK,
Europe, and other sunny climes, when it came to our attention that two valuable members
of the choir family had died. The choir is known for its commitment to maintaining the
friendship of widows and family members of former choristers, and their loss is a great
sadness. Of course, we particularly mourn the loss of our current and former choristers.
Vale: Patricia “Pat” Rice 8th March, 1928 — 28th May, 2015.
For our newer readers, Pat was the widow of former AWMC chorister Anthony “Tony”
Rice who pre-deceased her on 1st December, 2010. Pat’s funeral, held at St Macartan’s on
Thursday 4th June, was attended by chorister James Marrs who represented AWMC. Pat
and Tony’s children, Michael, Rosemary, John and Brian would have been comforted by
James’ presence.
Vale: Gary Francis Allen 22nd May 1936 — 5th June, 2015. AWMC member
since 23rd July, 2001
Gary was introduced to the choir by his friend Rowley Morris, (Bass
Section leader and person responsible for AWMC membership.). Gary was
known within the group as a very likeable chorister. The image at left
shows Gary in Christmas spirit for ABC Television’s “Spics and Specs
Christmas “show in 2010. See promo clip on AWMC website.
Gary was known to enjoy a smoke, food, singing, chewing gum, and
sometimes being a ‘little’ late, but not necessarily in that order. He had a deep seated love
of Suzie and his family, of country and western music, and his guitar was never far from
hand.
Gary’s funeral took place on Monday 15th June at Tobin Brothers Chapel, The Esplanade,
Mt Martha. The Rev’d Greg Pennicuik, one of our choristers, led the service with great
dignity and care. A large contingent of 40 plus choristers, wives and friends were on hand
to farewell our friend.
To Suzie, Gary’s widow, the choir will offer their hand to make sure that she will always
be welcome at concerts, and to tour with choir. To their children, Glenn, Vicki, and Brett,
and the grandchildren Jack, Tom and Eddie, the AWMC will long remember Gary with
much affection and many happy memories.
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NEW DIRECTIONS
Please welcome our new Musical Director,
Mr Tom Buchanan,
B.Mus (Hons) LLB. Grad Dip. Leg Prac.
Tom completed his Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at
the School of Music – Conservatorium of Monash University in
2006, as well as undertaking a Bachelor of Laws, which he
completed in 2007. Whilst studying in the School of Music at
Monash, Tom majored in classical performance (piano). His
principal teachers were Mr David Bollard and Dr Kenji Fujimura, and during this time he
also had the opportunity to study and work with numerous local and international artists,
both as a solo performer and as an accompanist.
Throughout his studies at Monash Tom was the recipient of numerous prizes and
awards, most notably the Joan Earle Prize for Excellence in Piano Studies, both in 2002 and
in 2004, and the first prize in Monash University’s Concerto Competition, both in 2002 and
2006 (Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor; Anderson Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C).
Since completing his tertiary studies, Tom has taught piano at many schools around
Melbourne, including Christ Church Grammar School, Geelong Grammar School (Toorak
Campus) and Korowa Anglican Girls’ School. He was also admitted as a Lawyer of the
Supreme Court of Victoria in 2008.
Throughout his schooling and tertiary studies Tom had the opportunity to work with
many choirs, opera choruses, tertiary voice students and professional singers from Opera
Australia.
In 2007 Tom became the Assistant Accompanist of the Australian Welsh Male Choir and
in 2008 he was appointed Principal Accompanist and Assistant Musical Director of the
choir. From 2008-2009 Tom was the Musical Director of the Casey Choir in Berwick, an
SSA choir. In 2009 Tom became the Musical Director of the Mornington Peninsula Chorale,
and in this position he has conducted - amongst other works - Faure’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s
Gloria, Brahms’ German Requiem and Bortniansky’s Choral Concerto No 32.
In 2013, Tom formed Excelsis, an SATB choir, whose membership is largely Filipino, and
sings at Sunday masses at various Catholic suburban parish church’s. Since its formation
this choir has sung in concert with AWMC, at a Gymanfa Ganu, and travelled to the
Philippines in April of this year.
Tom has performed throughout Australia and New Zealand as a solo pianist,
accompanist and conductor. In addition to this he also regularly works as an instrumental
and vocal accompanist and as a chamber musician in a wide variety of settings – piano
trio, piano duet/duo and balalaika/piano duo.
Ms. Heather Wickes :
We are delighted to welcome Ms Heather Wickes, as Principal Accompanist.
Heather is no stranger to the choir, as previously she was our Assistant
Accompanist in 2006. Heather’s other roles are accompanist for the
Mornington Peninsula Chorale, Mornington Musicale, teacher on the
Peninsula and across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Heather also
works with the Australian Youth choir in the capacity of conductor and
accompanist.
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SATURDAY 27th JUNE— BAXTER VILLAGE CHAPEL
Tom Buchanan met with the choristers and through a Power Point presentation display
gave an “Introduction of Vision and Values as Incoming Musical Director, Australian Welsh
Male Choir. Throughout the course of the presentation, Tom was able to enthuse the choir
in preparation for the new direction which he believed the choir needed to embark upon.
From all accounts it was a most positive and necessary meeting.
The choir has indeed taken on board a challenging project of starting afresh with a
virtually new repertoire. So for all our readers, and prospective concert attenders, you
will certainly notice some very new, quirky and clever songs. These are sure to get your
toes a-tapping, along with the much loved beautiful harmonies associated with Welsh
hymns.
MONDAY 13th JULY, THE 42nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF AWMC
The Annual Meeting was delayed this year because of the UK tour, and a number of
choristers who were still overseas. This change of date was agreed to at an earlier meeting
in the year by a majority of the choir.
The result of the election of officers and committee for 2015/2016 are as follows:
President: Arthur Poole; Hon Secretary: James Marrs; Hon Treasurer: Gerald ‘Ges’
Hogg; Public Relations Officer (PRO): Colin Hughes; Public Fund Committee: Ges Hogg;
Peter Murray; David Madill
Committee: David Madill (Vice President); Phil Judd (Asst. Treasurer); Neil Kinsey
Committee); Mike McCormack (Membership & Welfare); Maurie Richardson (Concert
Convener); Dominic Xuereb (Committee).
2015/16 AWMC Committee Members
Rear rank left to right: James Marrs; Ges
Hogg; Mike McCormack; Neil Kinsey
Front rank left to right: Colin Hughes;
Dominc Xuereb; Arthur Poole; David
Madill; Phil Judd.
Not pictured: Maurie Richardson.
Honorary Life Member Award to Dominic Xuereb. (pictured with circle)
Dominc Xuereb, our resident basso profundo, and stage manager extraordinaire, was lost
for words on being made an Honorary Life Member of the AWMC. A rare achievement let
me say. Dominic has been very active throughout his almost 19 years of membership. He
has been the PRO, responsible for the Choir trailer, soloist, and most visibly as Stage
Manager, (perhaps the most onerous of all his tasks). A very worthy recipient we would all
agree.
4
SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST — ANNE CREDLIN MD EMERITUS FAREWELL DINNER—
FRANKSTON RSL
Anne was surrounded by choristers and friends for this celebration of 14 plus years
service to the Australian Welsh Male Choir.
‘Flower of Scotland’
Like the final concert in St Patrick’s Church, Cork, Ireland, this night was full of emotion
and goodwill.
There were some fabulous mementos:

‘Thank you for the Music’, a book of photographic
and anecdotal memories spanning Anne’s years with
Choir from 2001—2015. This was painstakingly collated
by Jennie Toyne, with many contributions from the
choristers.

This
elegant
engraved glass tray
detailing
Anne’s
service with the choir.

No busy person
should be without an iPad. Neither will Anne
from now on.

Pictured too is the
stunning
Waterford
Crystal vase, first presented to Anne in Cork
And, of course, Anne was offered the opportunity to
conducted the choir again. The 2 songs specially chosen for Anne to conduct were ’Flower
of Scotland, (for Anne’s Scottish heritage), and her favourite of all the Welsh repertoire,
‘Gwahoddiad.’ With Anne being honoured with the distinction Musical Director Emeritus,
it is very fair to say we will see Anne at concerts in a familiar role from time to time, as we
raise our voices to sing under her baton ship.
‘Gwahoddiad’ —definitely no books
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FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST— VICTORIA
POLICE
ANZAC
CENTENARY
COMMEMORATION SERVICE.
As our reader’s will know, the
AWMC
have
a
longstanding
relationship with the Victoria Police
Academy Chapel. It is well recorded
that the choir sang on the occasion
of the first broadcast in colour at it’s
dedication. How delighted we were
to be asked to sing at this very
poignant and historic moment.
With over 40 choristers on stage, it was an auspicious
beginning for Tom, Heather, and the choir for our first
public appearance under his leadership. Two songs were
sung for the event, ‘If We Only Have Love’, and ‘In
Flanders Field’s’.
At this event, commemorating 100 years of the ANZAC,
tribute was made to the 27 police officers who lost their
lives during the conflict of World War 1. It was noted
that many returned servicemen re-joined the Victoria
Police to continue serving their community at home.
Victoria police commissioned the crafting of a memorial
as a tribute to honour the service and sacrifice of police
officers who fought in WW1. A special memorial plaque.
For Tony Dickinson, Eric Judd, and Mike McCormack,
former serving Victoria Police officers, now members of
the AWMC, were deeply moved by the special service.
Vale: Joan Brunton 13th December, 1931 — 7th August, 2015.
A large gathering turned out to pay tribute to Joan Brunton, wife of Jim, a former AWMC
chorister. The funeral took place at the Salvation Army Hall in Rosebud. The choir
welcomed Anne Credlin, MD Emeritus, who directed the choristers. The choir was
requested to sing during the time of fellowship and refreshment on completion of the
service.
The President, Committee, and Choristers, send to you Jim, children Ruth, Christine,
Stuart and Mark, and the extended family, our condolences and thoughts.
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CHORISTERS' CONFESSION
Almighty and most merciful Choirmaster,
We have erred and strayed from thy beat like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the intonation and tempi of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy dynamic markings,
We have left unsung the notes we ought to have sung,
And we have sung the notes we ought not to have sung,
And there is no breath in us.
But thou, O Choirmaster, have mercy on us, miserable singers,
Succour the chorally challenged,
Restore them that need extra note bashing,
Spare thou them without pencils.
Pardon our mistakes,
And have faith that we will follow thy directions,
And sing together in perfect harmony.
Amen.
Thanks to our Patron and Sponsors. We are most grateful to all who help to cover the
substantial costs for a choir of our size, especially Mr Sidney Baillieu Myer AC, and Dr
Haydn James, our Patrons. Our sponsors:
Dingley Village Community Bank
11/79 Centre Dandenong Road
Dingley Village Vic 3172 (03) 9551 6699
615 McClelland Drive,
Langwarrin Vic 3910 (03) 9789 8266
Forthcoming concerts and events courtesy AWMC Concert Committee:October: Friday 9th
7pm St James the Less, Anglican Church, Mt Eliza
Saturday 10th: 11am Baxter Village Open Day
Saturday 10th: 3pm Elgee Park
Sunday 11th :
2pm Cowes Uniting Church
November: Saturday 17th:
Sunday 18th:
Alexandra
Euroa
Philip Manktelow
Editor.
The Australian Welsh Male Choir (Côr Meibion Cymreig Awstralia Inc.)
PO Box 42, Frankston 3199.
Secretary: Eric Judd 0425 725 525 Email: [email protected]
Our web-site http://www.auswelshmalechoir.org.au