MARKING one hundred years since the end of World War One, Rhos Male Voice Choir’s 2018 annual concert included unique tributes to those who lost their lives a century ago. The programme for the concert, at the William Aston Hall in Wrexham on 13th October, included specially selected pieces in commemoration of the centenary and a Remembrance Service with a parade of local Royal British Legion members. Rhos-born actor Mark Lewis Jones read Carol Anne Duffy’s poem “The Christmas Truce” and choir member and local pastor Joshua Roberts led the Act of Remembrance. Mark Lewis Jones will be familiar to TV viewers from programmes such as Game of Thrones, Keeping Faith and many others. He said: “I was honoured to be asked to take part in this very special occasion. It was amazing to hear the Rhos Male Voice Choir and a privilege to share the stage with them to mark this important anniversary.” The choir sang the popular Welsh hymn Llef (Deus Salutis) and the Hebrew prayer “Ose Shalom” (He Who Brings Peace”) as well as a moving arrangement of Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen”. Musical director James Llewelyn Jones said: “We wanted to do something really special to mark the centenary of the end of the first world war, we were delighted to be able to welcome local members of the Royal British Legion to take part. The other highlight of the concert for a full-house audience were soloists “Tra Bo’Dau” – Welsh tenors Rhys Meirion and Aled Wyn Davies – who were joined by the choir in the second half of the concert in a specially arranged medley from Les Miserables. Rhys Meirion said afterwards: “It was a great honour to be asked to sing at the Rhos Male Voice Choir concert – they are a great bunch of guys and create a fantastic sound. Aled and I both thoroughly enjoyed our evening” James Llewelyn Jones said: “It’s been quite a few years since the choir included songs from Les Mis in the repertoire and it is clearly something that goes down really well with audiences and choir alike.” James thanked all the choristers and soloists for their efforts. And he paid special tribute to concert secretary Austin Thomas: “All our thanks must go to Austin for the countless hours he must have put in to ensure that the evening was such a resounding success. “The feedback we got from the audience – loyal supporters and those hearing the choir for the first time – was outstanding.” |