Choristers ready to add polish to gala showpiece

Rhos Orpheus Male Voice Choir

Soothing Welsh voices, rousing brass and a stunning soprano unite this weekend to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, writes Liz Rowley

THE RHOS Orpheus Male Voice Choir must be good if several of its members are prepared to travel the 80-mile round trip from Stoke-on-Trent to Rhosllannerchrugog twice a week.

The picturesque village, just four miles south-west of Wrexham, North Wales, has been home to the impressive choir since 1957 and secretary Brinley Jones says things are still going strong.

"I've been a member for the past 44 years and they are a great bunch of people," says the singer, who now lives in Alsager.

"When I joined there were about 60 singers altogether, but this soon rose to over 100 at one point. Things have gone down a little bit now but we still have a fantastic number of men on stage."

On Sunday, the choir makes a welcome return to the Victoria Hall to perform its first Annual Gala Concert in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The event, hosted by BBC Radio Stoke's Tim Wedgwood, will also feature the world-famous Fodens Band and local soprano Denise Leigh.

Brinley says: "We are calling this our first annual gala concert but it's actually the 25th consecutive concert we've had at this time of year.

"Previously we have been singing for the Children's Home in Anglesey but that's closed now. We have a longstanding association with the RNLI so this year we thought we would raise money for this instead."

Having raised a large amount for charity over the years, including a staggering £10,000 for the RNLI following the release of their Calm At Sea album several years ago, the choristers are keen to continue singing for worthy causes such as this.

"Sunday will be the first time we've presented a concert in aid of the RNLI in Stoke-on-Trent. It's a bit far from the sea," laughs Brinley, who left Wales for Berry Hill in 1975.

"Sadly we lost our old musical director, John Glyn Williams, in September and half of the donations collected at his funeral will be given to the RNLI on Sunday night.

In terms of music, not much beats the sound of a Welsh male voice choir and for this concert the men have chosen a selection of traditional pieces, spirituals and popular classics to complement the band's rousing brass numbers and Denise's poignant arias.

"I think a brass band and male voice choir sound amazing together, but it's a bit daunting when we have to follow their loud pieces because the sound carries through the hall so well," admits Brinley. "We are going to be performing Speed Your Journey with the band, as well as going a couple of pieces with Denise at the end of the night."

The Rhos Orpheus Male Voice Choir, Fodens Band and Denise Leigh will be appearing at the Victoria Hall, Hanley, on Sunday at 7pm. Tickets cost £15, £13 and £10. Call 0844 871 7649.