Grand Bahama enchanted by Welsh choir benefit concerts
Grand Bahamians who were in town for the Easter holidays were rewarded with the melodic sounds of the multi-award-winning Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir over the weekend. The 50-member choir performed two benefit shows for the Grand Bahama Children’s Home (GBCH): a free concert at Port Lucaya and the second fundraiser concert at the Regency Theatre. The choir also visited the Children’s Home over the weekend bringing with them gifts and pledging part proceeds from the CD sales to further benefit the home!
Brought to the island by philanthropic GBCH supporter David Winn-Griffiths, The Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir, overwhelmed their audiences with beautiful hymns, traditional songs and a rendition of our own Bahamian National Anthem that left audiences demanding more. Beginning their showcase at Port Lucaya, the choir captured the hearts of the crowd by opening with the Bahamas National Anthem, “March on Bahama Land” and performed for forty-five minutes to a crowded Marketplace.
“It was truly delightful having the choir perform at our Count Basie Square,” said Karen Ferguson-Bain, Port Lucaya Entertainment and Marketing Coordinator. “Walking around Friday night all in attendance agreed that the performance was riveting and could not wait for the grand concert the following evening. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Griffiths, for his kind assistance in hosting the choir and to the choir and their remarkable director for an absolutely smashing performance!”
The next morning selected members of the choir traveled to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home and presented gifts and enjoyed breakfast with the home’s current 26 children. “It was the highlight of our trip,” said one choir member. “Their smiling faces and enthusiastic hugs made my vacation.” The choir also sold CD’s of their songs and donated part proceeds to the home as well – an overwhelming gift to add to their performances and personal gifts.
On Saturday, the grand concert was held at the Regency Theatre to an almost full house. The wonderful facilities of the theatre truly showcased the talents of the choir as they performed for a two-hour show. Huw Trefor Jones, the coordinator for the choir’s trip said, “It’s been a fantastic night, the audience has been incredibly receptive and we have been welcomed by everyone.”
Happy audience at Count Basie Square.Mr. David Wynn-Griffiths, who brought the choir in from his home in Wales, has a personal connection to the choir as the organizer was his former PE instructor at primary school and many of his childhood friends are choir members. “ I have wanted for a long time now to bring this choir to the island, as they are one of the best in Wales, and to be able to do so for the benefit of the Children’s Home made it all worthwhile.”
The success of the trip also has to be credited to Christopher Baker who helped organize the choir while in The Bahamas. “I was really happy to work along with the choir to make it all happen as their singing was so special to listen to. Everyone who heard them was blown away with the music.” Additional assistance was given by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism who helped coordinate and arrange all the travel arrangements for the 70-person group. Thanks also goes to The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Barefoot Marketing, Bellevue Business Depot, Port Lucaya, BahamaIslandsInfo.com, Bristol Wines and Spirits, Seventeen Shop Downtown, and the Regency Theatre for their support.
Soloist Joseph Parry performs at the Regency Theatre.“The choir was magnificent,” said Sarah Kirkby, GBCH Executive Committee. “I was able to see both shows and, as a Bahamian, I can tell you their rendition of the National Anthem was phenomenal. We cannot thank them enough for all they have done for us at the Children’s Home. The funds raised will help us complete the project of installing hurricane shutters on the first of our buildings and our children also have keepsakes and memories of those lovely, friendly, funny-speaking Welsh singers!”
For more on this story go to:
