The church was packed for the Welsh Festival of Singing. Photo / Stephen Parker
The church was packed for the Welsh Festival of Singing. Photo / Stephen Parker
The packed church came alive with the sounds, colours and spirit of Wales, as a visiting choir and congregation sang Welsh hymns and anthems.
Their fervent singing and the fine church acoustics made this a stirring occasion, helped by the national costumes and splashes of Welsh dragon red and daffodilyellow.
It was a celebration of song and national pride by the local community with Welsh connections, and showed how deep their affection is for The Land of their Fathers.
The Geelong Welsh Ladies choir, visiting as part of a New Zealand tour, gave a heart-felt performance and their gentle singing caught the Welsh lilt and idiom glowingly.
The choir's music director, Jeanette John's, conducting was cordial and energetic, her feeling for the hymns was contagious, and at times she dexterously controlled both choir and congregation together.
An appealing programme reflected how popular Welsh hymns express Celtic mood.
One could well understand why the ardour put into hymns such as Rachie, a call to battle, make them such a popular choice at rugby games. The choir and congregation were fortunate to have such experienced accompanists as organist Mark Eyre and pianist Kristine Mellens.
