CHOIR members are already rehearsing for a return visit to the Royal Albert Hall, even though their appearance at the world famous venue is some 20 months away.

Caldicot Male Voice Choir attended its first rehearsal for the prestigious Festival of Male Choirs concert in London on Sunday, October 13, at Rogerstone Primary School.

It won’t be the first time they have sung at the RAH, as they attended the same event last year, just three days before performing at Buckingham Place as part of HRH Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday celebrations.

They will be joining 800 other choristers at the May 2021 festival, and joined other South East Wales singers to begin rehersals last week.

Choir spokesman Lyn Gauntlett said: “Such was the occasion in 2018, Caldicot MVC applied to repeat the experience alongside over 800 choristers at the RAH in 2021.

“The long process started with the first rehearsal for choirs from the region at Rogerstone Primary, where conductor Dr Alwyn Humphreys, accompanied by pianist Caradog Willliams, put the assembly of about 300 through its early paces of songs including A Roman War Song, Speed Your Journey, You’ll Never Walk Alone and World in Union.

“There is long way to go, with many choristers learning several pieces for the first time over the next 18 months, but if past experience is anything to go by, the performances at the Royal Albert Hall will be incredible and Caldicot Male Voice Choir is extremely proud to be accepted to take part once again.”

Meanwhile, choir members proved note perfect to the tune of more than £700 on the golf course – thanks to hosting a charity golf day.

The rain held off long enough on Saturday, October 5, for some 42 golfers to play a sponsored round in aid of The Sepsis Trust UK at Llanwern Golf Club near Newport, organised by the choir’s golf society, the Birdie Boys.

Terence Canning, director of the Sepsis Trust UK in Wales, attended the event and was delighted to accept a cheque at the evening dinner from organiser Anthony Griffiths.

The Sepsis Trust UK (Wales) raises funds to enable increased awareness of the killer disease, which claims more than 55,000 lives in the UK annually.

Lyn said Caldicot Male Voice Choir is very close to exceeding its target of £5,000 to help this cause.

“In the past six years, events similar to this by the choir have raised more than £45,000 for local and national charities, in addition to the many thousands raised by its concerts at venues throughout South Wales and West country.”

To learn more about Caldicot Male Voice Choir and its activities, go to www.caldicot

malevoicechoir.co.uk

You can also visit the choir hall in Mill Lane, Caldicot, on any Monday or Thursday evening.