edmund (eddie) evans - Treorchy Male Choir

Excelsior for 2007 (Smaller):Excelsior for 2005 (Mac).qxd 4/8/09 16:54 Page 4
4 EXCELSIOR
EDITORIAL
“We have shared a high endeavour, we have witnessed scenes of beauty and
grandeur; we have built up a lasting comradeship and we have seen the fruits of
that comradeship ripen into achievement”
SIR EDMUND HILARY
Anniversary concerts with Max Boyce and Iris Williams; a recording with
Katherine Jenkins; high-profile performances with Michael Ball at London’s
Mansion House and for HRH Duke of Edinburgh at The Savoy Hotel…to say
2006 was a memorable time for the Treorchy Male Choir would be an understatement.
It was always going to be a momentous year as the choir
celebrated its Diamond Jubilee since reforming following the Second World
War. In typical Treorchy fashion we commemorated the milestone in style.
The profile of the choir was most certainly enhanced, firmly acknowledging
our position as probably the world’s most famous male voice ensemble. The
sixtieth anniversary concerts at the Wales Millennium Centre and our own
Park & Dare Theatre, coupled with a new EMI compilation album, a prestigious
dinner and dance at the Millennium Suite of the Millennium Stadium,
a commemorative tie and a souvenir brochure featuring articles by HRH The
Prince of Wales, Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey were just some of the
many highlights of this special year. In fact 2006 in its entirety was a year of
immense celebration and the memory of which choristers will cherish.
Aside from the celebratory events marking the anniversary year, there was
also a large concert programme to contend with, major changes to the repertoire
and the demand for public performances was greater than ever. The year
began without a musical director and once again choristers relied greatly on
the service of three very important ladies. Jennifer Jones remained a faithful
addition to the music staff during this period, with Jan Ball and Helen
Roberts continuing to show their immense dedication to the choir by holding
rehearsals and conducting concerts during the early months of the year.
The engagements themselves remained of the highest of musical standards
and of course the cheerful disposition of the choristers and audience were
often due to the professional performances displayed by Kate Woolveridge on
the concert stage. It was also a pleasure to welcome a new addition to our
group of regular soloists in Canadian-born Diana Gilchrist who performed a
number of engagements with us during the latter part of the year.
Sadly the first rehearsal of the new year opened with the news of the passing
of Edmund Evans. Affectionately known as Eddie Ike, he was a stalwart
member of the first tenor section for almost fifty years. A Life Member of the