| Iwan Wyn Parry is a veterinary surgeon and is often referred to as the �singing vet�. He has travelled widely having sung throughout Britain, in Norway, New Zealand and America. John Eifion Jones has performed in Canada, America, Ireland and Barbados and by profession is a School Education Welfare Officer. Elizabeth Ellis studied at the Royal College of Music and became a Fellow in 1992. She has travelled to Europe, Russia and the United States both as a soloist and an accompanist. |
| November 2004 |
| Past Meetings and Activities Reports |
 |
| On Saturday 27th November in Chelmsford Cathedral, the Society staged a charity concert in aid of the Essex Air Ambulance in the presence of the deputy Mayor, Councillor John Little. The concert featured the Brythoniaid Male Choir and soloists Iwan Wyn Parry, baritone, and John Eifion Jones, tenor, who is also the choir�s conductor. The piano accompanist for both choir and soloists was Elizabeth Ellis. The choir started in 1964 and the Chelmsford concert was the last in a busy year of 40th anniversary celebrations. The choir and soloists although musically well qualified are not professional musicians. Members of the choir are very dedicated to their music, some travelling a round trip of up to100 miles for their weekly practice in Blaenau Ffestiniog. |
 |
 |
| The break with Tea, biscuits and Welsh cakes gave the audience an opportunity to talk with Robin and purchase a CD. The raffle was drawn and the evening reluctantly came to a close with two further tunes from Robin Huw Bowen. The next meeting will be at 7.00 p.m. on Saturday November 27th at Chelmsford Cathedral and will be a charity concert featuring the Brythoniaid Male Choir. |
| To view these and other photos |
 |
| Iwan Wyn Parry sang, among others, Sullivan�s �Lost Chord�, the Toreador Aria from Bizet�s Carmen, and a memorable performance of �Empty Chairs at Empty Tables� from Les Miserables. John Eifion Jones sang �Because� made famous by Caruso and Mario Lanza, �I�ll Walk Beside You� and I�ll Walk with God�. At the end of his solo spot John Eifion Jones invited Iwan Parry to join him for one of the highlights of the evening �The Pearl Fishers Duet� by Bizet . The choir then sang a lullaby which although soft and gentle could be heard all round the cathedral. This contrasted with the vibrant singing of the South African National Anthem �African Prayer�. The choir was met with a standing ovation and reprised with the Welsh hymn Gwahoddiad. The society�s thanks and presentations were made to the choir and soloist and particular thanks were given to Elizabeth Ellis who had played throughout the evening. Over 500 people attended the concert and it is anticipated that the Essex Air Ambulance will benefit by over �2000. |
| The choir�s repertoire ranges from contemporary songs and songs from the musicals to classical pieces, folk songs and the ever popular Welsh Hymns. They began their performance with a rousing �Men of Harlech� which confirmed that the audience were in for a spectacular evening. Other pieces sung by the choir were �Sanctus � from the German Mass by Schubert, �Martyrs of the Arena�, and songs from �Chess and �Carousel�. A bass from the choir, John Thomas, sang an admirable solo in the choir�s rendition of the Spiritual �I�se Weary of Waitin�� which followed the favourite Welsh Choir hymn �Morte Christe�, an arrangement of the hymn �When I Survey the Wondrous Cross�. |
 |
 |