Tenby Male Choir held their first concert of the season at St Mary’s Church earlier this month.

The highlight of the evening held on May 9 was listening to local talented twelve-year-old Marilla Evans, who thrilled the audience with her trumpet playing.

At the age of 10 - Marilla, who attends Ysgol Preseli, was the overall winner at the Valero Music Festival and her talent is clear to see.

During the Choir’s first break, she performed Gershwin’s ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ followed by the lively ‘Rondino’ by Allan Street.

In the second break her maturity and virtuosity shone through when she played the lovely ‘A Trumpeter’s Lullaby’ followed by ‘Concert Etude for Trumpet’ and ‘Piano in G minor, Op.49’ by Alexander Goedicke.

Mark Thompson was supporting her on the piano.

Tenby Male Choir delighted those that attended with their usual programme such as Rachie, Shenandoah and invited them to have a go with ‘Climb Every Mountain’.

Musical Director, Ian Williams, enjoys this part of the concert and always has plenty of suggestions to the participating audience.

The small but appreciative number that attended enjoyed ‘Benedictus’ and ‘African Prayer’ plus many other firm favourites.

However, the surprise of the evening came, when MC David Blackmore started to relate the story behind ‘My Grandfather’s Clock’ and, as usual, asks if anybody comes from North Yorkshire and knows the town of Piercebridge.

A couple in the audience not only knew it but were married there and had their wedding reception in the George Hotel, where the famous clock stood.

So at long last, after many years of performing this well loved song, Tenby Male Choir could rejoice in the fact that someone knew the story well!

In the final section songs relating to the mining industry ‘Take Me Home’ was followed by ‘You Raise Me Up’ and the Wales Air Ambulance adopted anthem ‘Anfonaf Angel’.

The concert, which was sponsored by Andrew Rees and Sons Butchers in Narberth, finished with the traditional rendition of ‘An American Trilogy’, when the choir is joined by members of the audience.

It was a great start to another exciting concert season for the Tenby Male Choir.