Rogerstone Directory - Editorials - THE ALCAN SINGERS

THE ALCAN SINGERS

The Alcan Singers are a group of men from the Rogerstone & Risca area, all retired, who enjoy singing for the entertainment of local people. We started way back in 1979 when a few regulars at the Alcan Club would get together in the bar on a weekend for a pint and a quiet sing-along.

As the months passed, more of the regulars joined in and the group would entertain others in the club. Then, in 1981, with the numbers reaching 20, discussions were held on singing on a more formal basis, and maybe singing around the local area. We were lucky enough to have the services of Mr Ray Norris to help lay the foundations of the Alcan Singers. Ray was a founder member of the Risca Male choir and accompanied them on the piano for 11 years, he showed us the way forward, accompanying us until 1997, when ill health prevented him from continuing.

As most men worked at the Alcan works, it was decided to take on the Alcan name. Very soon things started to come together and the first concert was held at the club; it was a great success, and the choir has never looked back. As the years rolled by, the choir grew to almost 40 and were giving 20-30 concerts a season. 

Today, like most choirs, our numbers have dwindled mostly due to age or ill health and we now only have 14 members, but we are just as busy as ever. We hold performances at a wide range of establishments around Rogerstone, Bassaleg, Newport, the valleys and beyond, in venues such as hospitals, residential complexes, social clubs, weddings, private parties and many charity events treating audiences to an evening/afternoon of music. No venue is too small or too large and we have our own organ to accompany us, if no piano is available.

We have a wide variety of music: light and easy, with songs from the shows (nothing like a dame, 'O' what a beautiful morning, etc.), a few serious hymns and some from yesteryear (some enchanted evening, till, unchained melody, etc.). Plus a few members give solo performances to add some variety. 

Our MC, Mr Peter Faulkner, introduces the programme as it unfolds, tells some great jokes, and has a few monologues up his sleeve. Our musical director, Mrs Sheelagh Young, accompanies us on the piano and keeps us in order. 

As we are an ageing group of singers, we would welcome any local men who may enjoy singing or listening to choral style music, to think about coming and joining in with us, to maintain or even increase our numbers, enabling us to carry on with our entertaining of local people and our charity work. 

We hold rehearsals at the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Social Club (Alcan Club), Rogerstone, every Wednesday 8.00-9.30pm. Why not come along, hear what we do, have a pint and join in?

For more information on bookings, locations of concerts or joining us, please contact: Mr Derek Terry on 01633 615208

~The Alcan Singers at the start of their 2007 season, ready to entertain local people with a wide variety of music in song.

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