Latest news with #HeidideGruchy
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Choral friendship rekindled in Monkton
LONG-STANDING choral connections were celebrated at Monkton Priory Church as Mansfield Male Voice Choir was warmly welcomed by old friends in the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir. The event drew a supportive audience, including the newly elected Mayor of Pembroke, Councillor Gareth Jones. All were welcomed by the Vicar of Monkton, the Rev Heidi de Gruchy. Both choirs delivered individual performances before joining forces for a rousing finale, singing 'My Lord What a Morning' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The pieces were conducted in turn by Musical Directors Ian Grice (Mansfield) and Juliet Rossiter (Pembroke). Mansfield's programme featured several highlights, including a set by 'The Gentlemen', a superb close-harmony octet whose selections ranged from 'Calendar Girls' to the Righteous Brothers classic, 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'. The choir also impressed with their performances in Welsh, singing 'Ar Hyd y Nos' and 'O Gymru' with skill and sensitivity. Pembroke's set reflected the 80th anniversary of VE Day, offering moving renditions of 'Let a New Day Dawn' and 'Tell My Father'. The evening's MC was Pembroke chorister Matthew John, while accompanists were Maureen Lockwood for Mansfield and William Lambert for the hosts. It was a particularly memorable evening for John Griffiths, a new addition to the bass section, who took to the stage for his first concert performance. Choristers enjoyed lunch together at Pembroke Town Hall and a post-concert reception at the Power Station Club, before the Mansfield party departed for Cardiff to continue their tour of south and west Wales.
Western Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembroke Male Choir sing to help Pembroke church bells fund
The concert was a successful fundraiser to restore working bells to the church tower, and details of the project were given by the St Mary's Bell Conductor, Ann Bunker. Choir and audience were welcomed by the Vicar, the Rev Heidi de Gruchy, and the concert was very much a family affair as her husband, the Rev William Lambert, is the choir's accompanist. Family teamwork was quickly in action as Rev Heidi came to the rescue when, during the first item, Rachie, the music stand on the keyboard fell off. With Heidi holding up the music, William never missed a note! Equilibrium restored, the choir continued in fine voice, backed up by MC Matthew John's humour and stories. Choir items included one of several new pieces learned in recent months, Anthem from the musical Chess,, songs from Les Miserables' and My Lord What A Morning. For the encore, American Trilogy, Matthew's appeal for reinforcements from the audience brought three men to join in, one a visitor from the Wirral. Two solo items demonstrated the splendid keyboard skills of Rev William who played a Chopin Polonaise and Clair de Lune by Debussy. The latest new chorister to stage was baritone Jonathan Price, soon to be joined by other recent additions to the baritone and bass sections. The first tenor section continues to hope that local men who can hit the higher notes will also be attracted to join this very friendly choir. The next concert is a special one, on Sunday May 4 at Monkton Priory Church, Pembroke, alongside old friends from Mansfield Male Voice, with some 60 choristers enjoying the superb acoustics of this magnificent church. The concert begins at 3.30 pm. Further details can be found on the choir's Facebook pages. Rev Heidi de Gruchy and Rev William Lambert are pictured at St Mary's Church by Pembroke and District Male Voice Chairman Huw Morgan (left) and new baritone chorister, Jonathan Price.
Pembrokeshire Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Choral concert raises funds to bring back St Mary's bells
CHORAL voices rang out at Pembroke's St Mary's Church in a joyful effort to raise funds for the return of the church bells. The Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir performed their latest concert in a busy spring programme, drawing a large and appreciative audience to the parish church. The event was a fundraiser to help restore the bells to working order in the church tower. The Vicar, the Rev Heidi de Gruchy, welcomed both choir and audience, and the project's background was outlined by the St Mary's Bell Conductor, Frances Bunker. In a heartwarming display of teamwork, Rev Heidi stepped in during the choir's opening item, 'Rachie', when the music stand on the keyboard collapsed. Her husband, the Rev William Lambert, who is the choir's accompanist, played on seamlessly as she held up the sheet music. Once equilibrium was restored, the choir continued in strong voice, with humour and introductions from MC Matthew John keeping spirits high throughout the evening. Highlights included 'Anthem' from the musical Chess, songs from Les Misérables, and the spiritual 'My Lord, What a Morning'. The encore, 'American Trilogy', brought an added touch of fun, with three members of the audience—including a visitor from the Wirral—joining the choir onstage at Matthew's invitation. Rev William also performed two solo piano pieces, showcasing his musical talents with Chopin's 'Polonaise' and Debussy's 'Clair de Lune'. Among the evening's notable moments was the concert debut of new baritone chorister Jonathan Price. He will soon be joined by other recruits in the baritone and bass sections. The choir continues to encourage more local men—especially tenors able to reach the higher notes—to come forward and join this welcoming group. The choir's next concert will take place on Sunday, May 4 at 3:30pm at Monkton Priory Church. They will be joined by old friends from the Mansfield Male Voice Choir, with around 60 choristers expected to fill the historic venue with sound. More details are available on the choir's Facebook page. Cover image: Bringing back the bells: The Revs Heidi de Gruchy and William Lambert are pictured at St Mary's Church with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir chairman Huw Morgan (left) and new chorister Jonathan Price. (Pic: P&D MVC)
