John Price and the choir performed a ‘self-contained’ evening of entertainment at St John’s Church, Llandudno.
The pre-concert backstage ritual was also different. Our long standing friends, John Giddings and Dave Lycett from Wetley Rocks Male Voice Choir, were on their annual visit to Llandudno.
It always corresponds with one of our concerts. The friendship continues. Thanks also for your support.
John Giddings and Dave Lycett (3rd and 4th from right) of Wetley Rocks MVC renew friendship with choir members
The choir commenced the evening with a variety of popular songs:
- Y Ddau Wladgarwr
- Hine E Hine
- Gwawrio Mae’r Bore
- Abide With Me
John’s Background
John Price
John was born and bred in Tabor, near Dolgelley, at the foothills of Cader Idris.
Of course, the rural environment, with no television, meant that home entertainment was the order of the day.
John was fortunate. His mother was an accomplished pianist. It then became a natural process for John and his two sisters to start singing as a trio.
They competed in many local and national eisteddfodau. John’s love of singing has remained undimmed ever since.
John Price and Nia Jones check the Musical Scores at St John’s Church
John started with ‘Because’, the popular song immortalised by Mario Lanza in the 1951 film ‘The Great Caruso’. Enrico Caruso recorded the song himself in 1912.
Then John sang the very demanding ‘Llwybr yr Wyddfa’ (The Snowdon Pathway). John’s powerful voice captured the perilous winter scene with dramatic effect.
Moreover, this song enabled John to win the Welsh Solo competition cup at the prestigious Cardigan Festival in 2007.
The choir closed the first half with Pokarekara Ana, Calm is the Sea, Angels Watching Over Me and African Prayer.
Second Half
The choir opened the second half with a strong quartet of songs:
- Mansions of the Lord
- Pan Fo’r Nos yn Hir/ Ti a Dy Ddoniau
- Fy Mhlentyn
- American Trilogy
John Picks His Best Tenors
John Price in Die Fledermaus with Ruthin Operatic Society
John’s singing inspiration is Franco Corelli, the late, great Italian operatic tenor.
His current favourite is Jonas Kaufmann, the German operatic tenor, described as the most important, versatile tenor of his generation.
John has vast experience of choral singing. A member of male voice choir, Côr Godre’r Aran, for an unbroken period of 23 years.
Also a member of The Brythoniaid MVC for 3 years and Cantorion Colin Jones (latterly Corws Colin Jones).
John has benefitted from the voice coaching of Colin Jones and John Daniel. The highlight of his time with any choir?
John’s Choral Highlights
Without hesitation, it is winning the choir competition at the world renowned Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 1996 with Côr Godre’r Aran.
Tribute is also given to the immense influence of accompanist and conductor Eirian Owen.
No fewer than three visits to Australia and two to New Zealand with Côr Godrer Aran complete John’s choral highlights.
John Price Second Spot
John opened his second spot with ‘My Dreams’ by F. Paolo Tosti. This romantic, lyrical song showed John’s vocal versatility.
‘If I can Help Somebody’ was John’s last song. Appropriate, comforting lyrics in our troubled times by Mahalia Jackson.
In conclusion, the choir ended the successful concert with ‘The Rose’, ‘Take Me Home’ and ‘Yn y Man’.
Conductor Arwyn Roberts again proving his expertise in selecting a balanced programme of songs with wide audience appeal.
The indefatigable accompanist Nia Jones was thanked for accompanying John and the choir throughout the entire concert.
Ed: Due to work and other choral commitments John resigned from our choir in January 2018.
Pan yn Llandudno dydd Mawrth sylwais eich bod yn canu yna ac mae’n amlwg eich bod wedi cael noson dda!
Pob hwyl, Meirion
Translation: When I was in Llandudno on Tuesday I noticed that the choir was singing there and it’s obvious that you had a very good night.
It is always GOOD to see the photographs too
Thanks for your comment Jackie, so glad you enjoy the photographs.