Not put off by the nights drawing in and winter approaching, a party of over 40 choristers and supporters of the Gwalia Male Voice Choir braved the early November elements on a trip to Antwerp for a weekend of hwyl, camaraderie, beer and song.
The many younger choristers embarking on their first Gwalia trip nervously wondered what travelling mishaps would ensue, whether their bar repertoire would be up to it and whether they would be able to take the pace! The warning signs were there as Eurostar over-indulgence resulted in a couple of example-setting choristers ending up in Holland!
Fortunately we all managed to gather on the Saturday evening, with the choir performing a concert with the mandolin ensemble, Royal Estudiantina “La Napolitaine” at the cosy Sint-Antoniuskerk Church in the small town of Edegem on the outskirts of Antwerp. The church had a fantastic acoustic and mandolinists and choristers combined to overcome broken strings, creaking floor boards and the chill in the air to put on a great performance for a very welcoming and appreciative audience. As well as performing individually, the Gwalia and La Napolitaine combined to perform a number of songs from their respective repertoires, including “Myfanwy” and “In a Persian Market”.
Food and refreshments had kindly been arranged by Gwalia vice-president Winnie Desair and after the bar staff decided it was time to let the beer flow, so did the singing. A number of choristers proved that you’re never too old to stand on a chair and give it some welly! One of the highlights for me was the rendition of “We are climbing up Sunshine Mountain” lead expertly by baritone Steve Davies.
It was back to the hotel for some to make sure that the grand piano in the bar wasn’t gathering dust and welcome returning choristers as the sun began to rise on a beautiful Sunday morning in Antwerp. After a power nap, some breakfast provided an opportunity to check on the health of fellow choristers and then it was back to London on the Eurostar with the feeling of satisfaction (just about!) masking the hangover.
I had been looking forward to my first tour with the Gwalia and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Indeed it proved once again what a friendly and welcoming bunch the Gwalia choristers and supporters are with old and young, mingling, singing and drinking together. A big thank you to Steve Davies and Dave Hurlbut of the Gwalia and our host and Gwalia vice-president, Winnie Desair, for their sterling work with the organisation. Also thank you to Royal Estudiantina “La Napolitaine” who we hope to be able to welcome back to the London Welsh Centre in the near future.
Looking forward in anticipation to the next time the Gwalia take to the road.
Michael Brown (2nd tenor)
Gwalia Male Voice Choir
Mike, I second that excellent tour report. Sign me up for next year!
Matt (2nd tenor/regular mimer)
Also, this just in from one of the Flemand Fans….
Hello,
Saturday last week(07/11/2009) I have been going to an action of La Napolitaine in Antwerp(Belgium) with my mom. They resigned on with a male choir from Wales, namely you.
I thought that it would be bored and that I would not like to hear it, but when you were started to sing, I became very quiet.
I found it so beautiful that I ‘ve got goose bumps on my arms!!
I will congratulate the whole group, for bringing such a wonderful and amusing evening!!!!
Don’t ever stop singing! It makes people happy:-):-)Thank you!
Greetings
Katrien Smet
PS Would you please give my best regards to the guy I’ve met in the queue waiting to go to the toilet.
I don’t know his name, but tel him that his jacket was to big for him!:-)