In front of a capacity audience in Tabernacle Chapel, Pembroke, last week, Pembroke and District Male Voice choir, along with Stackpole School Choir, presented an evening of fine choral singing, with the gathered audience also invited to sing particular carols.

The secretary of the Male Voice Choir, Phil Lloyd, was at his usual assured best in introducing each item and began by remarking on the magnificent assembly of supporters and parents, along with younger children, who had come to the chapel to support the singing that evening.

He introduced the musical team for the evening, namely Chris Lloyd, the conductor of the Male Voice, and their accompanist, Jenny Griffiths, and Elizabeth Thomas, conductor and arranger of the Stackpole Choir.

The assembled children from Stackpole were the first to take the stage to perform three pieces, opening with 'Welcome', followed by 'Spread a Little Magic', with a lovely solo piece from Caity Nutting waving a golden wand. They ended this opening recital with 'Child in a Manger', featuring another sweet solo from Nyah Lowe. The applause that followed these pieces was evidence of the quality and assurance that the audience felt.

This quality was certainly maintained in the next item, which saw the introduction of two young ladies to the stage. Belinda (Billi) Galliard and Emily Kaijaks, both pupils at Pembroke School, sang solo parts and a duet in a rendering of 'Once in Royal David's City', sung by the audience and choirs. Belinda is the granddaughter of David Holt, a member of the first tenor section of the Male Voice Choir, who was taken aback to find her singing solo and in duet that evening when he had no idea that this was going to happen. As it was, both Belinda and Emily proved singers of rare ability and presence, which was to prove even more so later in the programme.

The Male Voice Choir opened their contribution for the evening with the established carol 'Good King Wenceslas', with separate bass and tenor singing for the King and Page. John (Sam) Thomas then sang a controlled and beautifully modulated solo piece in the next choir rendering of 'Mary's Boy Child.'

The carol 'Joy to the World' was then sung by all present, prior to Emily staging again to sing 'I Dreamed a Dream.' This again was an assured and captivating solo, met with repturous applause.

The Male Voice Choir on their second appearance sang two pieces which they have prepared for their appearance in Manchester in March 2012 in the 'Thousand Male Voice Choir Concert' which has been relocated from its past venue at the Albert Hall. These were 'Bring him Home' and 'This is the Moment.' They finished with 'We Three Kings', in which Ron Rees, Henry Johnston and Winston Owen sang the parts of the gift bearing kings.

The Stackpole Choir now sang three further items, starting with 'Little Donkey', which featured an accomplished trumpet solo piece by Oliver Watkins, followed by 'Mary's Lullaby', with soloist Imogen Grimes, and 'Thank You for the Music', with soloists Caity Nutting, India Lilley, Molly McConnel and Ffion Blunsden. Each of these soloists are to be commended on their assured singing. For these pieces, the Stackpole Choir received a standing ovation, prompted by the Male Voice gentlemen.

This point in the concert saw the return appearance of Emily and Belinda to sing a delightful duet, 'O Holy Night', which again brought well-deserved applause. These young ladies certainly made an impression on those present and are assured of future appearances.

The Male Voice then sang two more pieces, namely 'What Would I Do Without My Music' and 'When the Saints Go Marching In', before they combined with the Stackpole Choir to sing 'Let there be Peace on Earth.'

During the evening, first tenor Des Edwards was presented by choir conductor Chris Lloyd with a certificate recording 10 years service with the choir, while choir chairman Frank Harries presented cheques for £500 each to Eirfyl Lewis, on behalf of the forthcoming Urdd Eisteddfod, and Mrs. Marina Evans, on behalf of St. Teilo's Church, where the choir hold their regular practices.

The final blessing was given by the Rev. Nanette Lewis Head, a former minister at Tabernacle.

The choir will pay singing visits to old people's homes in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock before ceasing engagements over Christmas.

They wish all their fellow choristers in Tenby, Whitland, and Haverfordwest Choirs the compliments of the season as they, Pembroke and District Male Voice, enter their 60th year in 2012.