Lleisiau Gymreig
Welsh Voices
Patricia Watts has had to give up the role of Musical Director for personal reasons.
We have a small but enthusiastic mixed group of singers.
Our repertoire is mostly traditional Welsh songs: ballads, carols, folk songs, hymns, sea shanties etc.
However, we have sung some modern pieces, including favourites by Welsh pop artistes.
We sing occasionally at events such as the Petone Ethnic Festival and the EuroForum Carols by Candlelight; and also by invitation at various private venues such as Mary Potter Hospice.
Petone Settlers Museum Festival 2002
Lleisiau Cymreig were able to participate at the Petone Settlers Museum on Saturday 23rd March 2002. Despite most of our singers being away or having other arrangements, six of us sang. Our line-up was Don Mills, Berwyn Jones, Rita Bota, Linda Bevan Smith who was also MC, Colin James and Bob Bevan Smith. We were given a real boost by Stephen Bennett, with all his musical skills, on accordian and keyboard. Rita Bota managed to fit our concert in with a family baptism and so we had a quick practice in the carpark. Thanks to Patricia Watts for the loan of the sheet music and electronic keyboard which enabled us to hold a practice on the Thursday beforehand with just five of us.
When we arrived at the Petone venue, an outdoor stage with chairs provided at the front, natural banks to sit on and the seawall, the concert was in full swing with the Scottish dancers followed by English Square dancers. Then it was our turn, followed by the Irish dancers. It was a sparkling Wellington day.
Despite a glitch with one microphone picking up the local radio station we managed very well and the audience looked as if they were enjoying themselves. The good news is that we were told that we put on a good show and have been asked to participate again with the promise of a dedicated sound system with fold-back. We earned $100 for the Society. Mona Jones managed to get a poster of 'The Grand Home and Colonial Song and Dance Festival' for us which arrived in the mail with 'I was there' written above the Welsh flag. We sang a mixture of sea songs, a couple of solos, and some well-known airs. Our thanks to Roma Howard and Mona Jones for all of their support.
However, it would have been even better had we had stronger numbers. If you would like to join in with us, or just listen to us sing, come along to a practice one evening.
We would love to find someone with musical skills and an empathy with Welsh music to stimulate us and lead our small but enthusiastic singing group