The London Welsh Male Voice Choir has had two opportunities to bid ffarwel to Dr. Haydn James, its Musical Director and Conductor for the past 30 years, and to Cliff Morgan, its retiring President. The first was Haydn’s last concert at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in January, and the second was a glittering tribute dinner to both in London in March. Both occasions tugged at the heartstrings. Above all, however, music was the winner because this choir knows no better way in which to pay tribute than to sing. Both men are stepping down after many years of distinguished service to the choir
Haydn’s list of achievements since he joined the choir as a second tenor and soloist in 1966 are legion. His own fond recollections included his 12 years as conductor of the ladies of the Dylan Singers “in a little room at the back of the London Welsh Club”. “I took 25 women to Paris” was another highlight. Many of these delightful and delighted ladies had a table of their own at the dinner.
Overall, he remembered 1,400 rehearsals, 589 engagements and 1,200 committee meetings. But it would be the musical memories that he would cherish most, the association with Sir George Martin and Rick Wakeman, and soloists including Rita Hunter, Sir Geraint Evans, Bryn Terfel, and Katherine Jenkins. Ten nights with Take That at Earls Court also stood out, as did engagements at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Sydney Opera House, and the unforgettable service at the Cenotaph on November 11th 2008 that marked the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Even now, Haydn is working with a group of young voices at the London Welsh Centre. We will see him continue to pursue an active life as Musical Director of the Welsh Rugby Union. He is also in continuing demand as conductor of the British and Irish Lions touring choir, and with a number of Cymanfa Ganu festivals in North America.
Colin Jones, Chairman of the choir’s music committee, read congratulatory messages to both men from the Comrades Choir and the Hong Kong Male Voice Choir. A message, however, was not enough for Jim Burns, President of the Saengerfest Choir who had brought his wife Elaine on a special journey from Boston, USA, to present Haydn with the gift of a Paul Revere bowl and a commemorative certificate.
Proposing the toast to Cliff Morgan, OBE, CVO, who has been President of the choir since 1989 and a Vice-President for a number of years previously, Haydn noted that Cliff initially declined the invitation to succeed Doug Evans as President, thinking he wasn’t up to the job. However, Haydn said “this most unassuming man” had been “one of the most brilliant ambassadors the choir could have had, and a great inspiration to us all”.
Cliff won 29 caps as fly half for Wales. He was a natural broadcaster, talker and communicator, and his commentary on one of the best tries of all time, during the Barbarians’ match against the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973, is rightly celebrated.
He became head of sports and outside broadcasts for the BBC for 11 years, and for ten years was the inimitable presenter of the radio programme Sport on Four. His sporting reputation is therefore secure. His love of music is not as well known. A pianist, he knows how the power of music can transcend barriers of geography and language, and can bring diverse people close together by expressing emotions that lie deep within the soul.
Cliff’s reply to the toast was necessarily brief in length, but full of his trademark warmth and appreciation. As 90 present and former choristers joined to end the evening with song, Haydn invited Cliff to conduct Gwahoddiad. He knew this one by heart. We could see from his face how important this moment was for him. This was “his” choir, and the pride was mutual.
