Choir Returns to Dolfor

The choir returns to Dolfor.  This time to help raise funds for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital League of Friends, writes Andrew Faulkner.

The choir had travelled with guest soloist Kathryn Nash. St Asaph born Kathryn has strong family ties with Denbigh. Naturally, she has a strong affinity with the choir.

National Winner at Dolfor

Kathryn has an impeccable singing pedigree having won the Mezzo Soprano solo at the National Eisteddfod of Wales this year.

The choir was led by MD Arwyn Roberts, accompanied on the piano by Nia Jones, ably assisted by her daughter Hanna.

Also in the audience was Joyce Davies and husband Aubrey. Joyce was our accompanist at the previous Dolfor concert in 2014.  Aubrey was also a chorister with the choir.

Warm Welcome on Choir Returns to Dolfor

The concert was well supported with almost a full house which gave the choir a fabulous warm welcome.

Compere for the evening was our very own chorister Clwyd Wynne.  In his inimitable style Clwyd introduced the Choir.

Throughout the evening Clwyd provided song narratives, peppered with his repertoire of ‘dubious’ jokes garnering appreciative laughter.

The choir started with ‘Y Ddau Wladgarwr‘( The two Patriots), ‘Let there be Peace on Earth,’ ‘ Do you hear the people sing’ and ‘Abide with me’.

Kathryn Nash Entertains

It was then the turn of Kathryn who opened with a magnificent rendition of ‘Ombra Mai Fu.’ A notable aria from Handel’s Largo from the opera Samson and Delilah by Saint Saens.

The choir returned to sing ‘I bwy y Perthyn Mawl’, ‘ The Rose’ with soloist Baritone, Peter Davies in fine voice. Then the rousing ‘African Prayer’.

Next was the Interval during which the raffle was drawn. Clwyd was asked to help and could not believe it when the first ticket he pulled out of the hundreds in the tub was his own!

Both audience and choir were able to enjoy welcome refreshments.

Second Half at Dolfor

The choir returned to start the second half with ‘Welsh Trilogy’ followed by ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘You Raise me up’ and the American gospel song ‘Amen’.

Kathryn returned for her final set.  Starting with the much loved favourite ‘My Little Welsh Home’ by W.S. Gwynn Williams.

Then  ‘Min y Mor” by T. Osborne Roberts, one of the pieces which she sang at the National Eisteddfod.  Both well received by the appreciative audience.

The choir then sang Ryan Davies’ ‘Pan fo’r nos yn hir/Ti a dy ddoniau’ and ‘Song of the Jolly Roger’.

For the finale Kathryn then joined the choir for a Welsh version of “La Vergine degli Angeli.” The aria from Verdi’s “La Forza del destino’ (The Force of Destiny).

The choir finally ending the concert with the ever popular American Trilogy.

The choir received much praise for their performance. Suggestions  that it should not be so long before another return visit!

Thank You Dolfor

Finally, the choir would like to express its thanks to the ladies who provided a fabulous buffet at the end of the concert. It was much enjoyed and appreciated by the performers.

Further thanks to all at Dolfor Charity Group for their kind invitation to return and entertain them once again.

Also to assist in raising what we hope was a significant amount of money for the very worthy charity.
Thank you Dolfor! Diolch yn Fawr !