09/05/2026
Once again, a wonderful afternoon.
Echuca 2 May 2026
It was good to be back, after two years, at the beautiful Uniting Church on Hare Street.
The large audience stood for the opening Welsh National Anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) before local resident and compère Garry Salisbury introduced the accompanist Janice Noh and Musical Director Rushan Hewawasam. The first Welsh bracket was Rachie, Calon Lân (with the English verses sung by Rushan) and Gwahoddiad (Invitation).
The second bracket comprised Ar Lan Y Môr (By the Seaside), Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night) with a sensitive solo by tenor Drew Hopkins and the popular Sosban Fach (Small Saucepan) with spirited clapping from the congregation.
The next bracket was more religious in flavour with the first hymn And Can It Be? receiving its choir debut. With words by Charles Wesley and music by Dan Forrest it is a stunning and dramatic composition. This was followed by Pacem (Peace) and Benedictus (Blessing).
The first half was completed by the performance of two songs by one of Australia’s leading modern composers Paul Jarman. First, the specially commissioned Land of my Song with words inspired by choristers’ contributions and featuring a fine solo by Bendigo baritone John Adams. And then the widely performed Pemulwuy, commemorating the story of a famous Aboriginal fighter in the Sydney area at the end of the 1700s.
Rushan urged interested men to consider joining the choir and also showed the audience how four-part harmonies were built up in our songs.
After interval, we launched into songs from the world of musicals. First, Anthem from Chess then Love Changes Everything from Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love. Lastly, from the iconic musical Les Misérables, came the powerful and strident Stars sung by Javert.
Staying in the heavens, the choir launched into another Robat Arwyn favourite Anfonaf Angel (I’ll Send You an Angel). Coming firmly down to earth and remembering the human cost of the Balkan wars, the next song was the intensely emotional Prayer of the Children.
On a brighter note we then transited to America with Carly Simon’s Let the River Run and the evergreen He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.
Next, Rushan rehearsed the eager patrons in the final chorus of When the Saints Go Marching In. When he was satisfied with the quality, the choir dutifully got into their marching rhythm and everyone successfully got to the promised land with great enthusiasm. There was therefore no danger of anyone falling asleep as the choir’s finale Nessun Dorma reverberated around the church to great applause.
Thankyous were delivered as choristers left the stage to surround the audience to bid their farewells with the poignant Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood.
Photo by Jeanette Wade
