Cardiff Blues Choir Events Blog 2

March 10^th 2017 Bayside Brasserie in advance of Wales V Ireland.

Yet again the W.R.U. showed its commitment to Rugby supporters Wales and Ireland wide by supplying eye wateringly expensive tickets to see a match thoughtfully timed with an 8.05 pm Friday evening kick off.

Undeterred, C.Y.G. made the short trip to the Bay to fulfil the final part of our 2017 Six Nations booking at the Bayside Brasserie, where a modest (but beautifully proportioned) representation of the total membership did the Choir proud .

Arriving early, and as ever eager to hone their skills outside the Restaurant and in view of a somewhat bemused public, the dedicated Bass section practised rounding their vowels in preparation for the fray.

As our starting time approached the news broke that we had no instrument upon which we could be accompanied, and the word quickly spread that we may be expected to start the performance singing Acapulco. As luck would have it, the Chairman arrived just in the nick of time carrying a music stand, with a friend/servant who had been given the responsibility of carrying the Organ for him.

There was considerable relief all round when the Organ was whipped out, erected and found to be in good working order. Richard was soon calling us to attention and our Performance began.

It was immediately apparent that the clientele in the restaurant differed hugely from those that attended Wales v England. This audience were attentive, appreciative and demonstrably enjoyed the evening, responding warmly to our efforts, both in our singing and in our pointing out the way to the toilets. It must be said that in relation to the latter, a substantial proportion of our Celtic male cousins still managed to visit the Ladies.

The repertoire was standard Rugby, with” Ireland’s Call” a popular addition with the supporters downstairs, and ”Wild Rover” a popular addition with Frank, who, in his enthusiasm sang most of the Ladies’ lines as well. A particularly fine “Gwasgwn yn y Rhengau” in Rachie surprised many with its purity, clarity and strength of purpose.

Downstairs, as the Chairman eat a hearty meal following his exertion with the music stand, the Vice Chair tirelessly sold Choir songbooks to Diners.

Richard, multitasking throughout, brought matters to a conclusion with rousing Anthems and our performance came to an end, not a minute too soon some thought, as two enthusiastic male  fans who had followed our performance throughout on the Balcony, cameras in hand,  appeared to be homing in on him as the object of their appreciation and adulation.

Quietly, Choir members dispersed to their favoured locations to watch the game, leaving diners with rounded vowels ringing in their ears, and hopefully happy memories of  being serenaded in Cardiff by C.Y.G.  from the Bayside Brasserie balcony.