I picked up the programme on my seat in the back row of Usk Memorial Hall last Saturday and skimmed through the songs.
My attention was caught by Usk Brass Band performing Soul Bossa Nova followed by Cwmbran-based choir Sŵn Y Gân Choir singing This is Me.
Yes, it was the soundtrack to the Austin Powers films and the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning song from The Greatest Showman.
This was going to be a special night. I also didn’t expect the night to end with Jamie Jones, the band’s conductor, calling for the hall’s single disco ball with lights to be turned for a spectacular close to the show.
Jamie said in the programme: “You are currently witnessing Usk Brass Band at their highest level and world ranking [currently 311), an accolade we are all proud of.”
Geraint Davies, Sŵn Y Gân’s conductor, told us how the choir was set up in a week or two before the first covid lockdown meaning they didn’t rehearse together for around 18 months.
The format saw each group perform three pieces in turn. Geraint and Jamie shared the story behind each song/ tune, a little insight that I loved that helped me as a brass band and choral concert newbie.
‘Juxtapositions’
Both used descriptions such as “juxtapositions” and “changing the style” as they took us through their sets. I’d describe this as how the band and choir effortlessly showed their huge range of skills and styles across genres in their performances. There was “pop” from the choir- One Day Like This (Elbow)– and Men of Harlech (Langford) from the band.
The mixed-up “themes” kept our emotions in the room changing and held our interest. You didn’t know what would come next.
Well, you did as it was listed in the programme but you had no idea how each would be performed.
We had music and songs hundreds of years old from both groups right through to the modern day. I didn’t worry about not knowing my Rachmaninovs from my Gilbert Tinners. I sat back in awe at each arrangement and wondered how? I mean how do both these groups of people walk into rehearsals and start to work together to create and master such a wide range of music?
Everyone on the stage (the band) and everyone sat/ stood in front of the stage (the choir) watched, listened, smiled and enjoyed each other’s performances.
‘Enthusiastic applause’
In the back row, I couldn’t see the faces of the people in the rows in front of me. But at a concert you don’t need to see people’s faces, hearing over 24 rounds of enthusiastic applause said it all.
One poignant moment away from the performances was former West Mon School pupil Jamie saying how music and the arts are having a tough time with funding cuts. In the programme, he said how they’ve had a “gruelling time since just before the pandemic” and have “miraculously” survived.
So what can you do to help? As a start, follow both groups on social media. Secondly, commit to watching more live music this year. Your presence in the audience gives the atmosphere that helps musicians and singers thrive.
Follow them on Facebook
Follow Usk Brass Band to find out about the training academy they’re launching this year to teach new musicians. They’re playing on VE Day in Usk.
Follow Sŵn Y Gân Choir to check out some of their upcoming concerts including a “Songs for the Soul” night in St Gabriel’s Church in Old Cwmbran and a cabaret-style event in Risca.
Thanks to Kieran from Usk Brass Band for the two complimentary tickets. The night was rounded-off with a drink in the cosy New Court Inn less than 100m away.
📸 Visit the Cwmbran Life Facebook page for more photos of the concert.