Choristers up close - Daryl Harries
Name: Daryl Harries
Section: Baritone
Date of joining RMC: July 2024
How did you come to join Risca Male Choir?
I came to join Risca Male Choir after receiving an initial advert for the 2024 Men Do Sing MNDA Project into my Facebook profile, and it sparked a longstanding aspiration to join a choir. Following several weeks of procrastination, I finally submitted my application on one Friday evening over Christmas 2023.
On day one of practice I was welcomed by baritone, Alan Davis and MD Matt, sat in the baritone section and the learning road began. After twelve sessions and £1000 sponsorship secured, I arrived at Rougemont School for the final concert, what an experience and buzz that was! My first onstage performance in 50yrs was followed by an in bar conversation with Matt who asked if I would consider joining the main choir, the rest as they say is history.
We realise that you’ve only been with the choir for a very short time, but what are the elements you have most enjoyed so far?
The welcoming environment of the entire community of RMC, the lads, wives and Patrons have made me feel so much part of a huge family of songsters.
The opportunity to learn how to sing to the high exacting standard required to be the National Champions, and be able to perform at weddings, funerals, charity concerts, community concerts and in a wide range of iconic venues from theatres to cathedrals, and even The Principality Stadium. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of 18months thus far but very enjoyable and inspiring.
What music have you particularly enjoyed singing and why?
As someone who enjoys singing anywhere and everywhere and across a broad genre range, everything has been enjoyable. However to identify a few particular highlights thus far, would include Fix You, as a Coldplay fan this was the first song I learned with RMC, and the arrangement sounds awesome, and is a great one to sing.
Gwinllan y Roddwyd: As a non-Welsh speaker, singing in Welsh is always going to be challenging, then add your first full public performance being on the National Eisteddfod stage, which brought a whole new level of concentration. Then to hear the final result both in collective sound and to win was awesome.
Y Gair oedd Duw: another part of our Eisteddfod set. Being a cappella, a brand new translation and very technically challenging sing added to the enjoyment of this particular piece.
Y Tangnefeddwyr: I fell in love with this piece when heard it for the first time performed by Dowlais Male Choir. The arrangement, the story portrayed and the emotion it invokes, get my musical juices flowing and the opportunity to improve on that first hearing by giving it the Risca treatment has been great.
Bring him home: is a particular favourite of mine being an immense fan of the musicals, ‘Les Mis’ and Alfie Boe in particular. Getting to learn this piece and be able to do it justice, after many years of probably torturing it in the car, is awesome.
What do you think you might look forward to in the future, perhaps having heard from longer serving choristers of memorable moments in the past?
With this first 18 months with RMC being very eventful and exposing me to many new and challenging experiences, I am ready for anything that comes along. I am looking forward to touring and learning new and challenging music.
Tell us briefly about your life outside of choir
My life outside RMC revolves around my family of wife, Rosemarie, the motivator to join the MNDA project and ultimately RMC. My children Alun, Geraint, Nerys, Llinos and my absolute driving force and baby, Eleri, who all keep me mentally young and busy.
My hobbies include rugby, photography, DIY and when my arthritic joints allow, hill walking and general exercise.
My work life has been quite varied ranging from painting buses with a 3” paintbrush through Photography in the RAF, making kitchens and managing a teddy bear factory, teaching and training in college and the third sector with GAVO, to my current role as Non-Emergency Ambulance Crew with Welsh Ambulance.
A final thought, if you have one
I feel immensely privileged to be a full member of such a wonderfully talented group of chaps that collectively create such a dynamic sound. I look forward to developing my singing ability and confidence under the master direction of Matt to allow me to fully contribute to the awesome sound that is the ‘Risca Sound’.
Thanks for the opportunity and support guys.
