By Andrew Humphries
Music, in its many forms, is a hugely important part of Geoff Serpell’s life.
And it’s the music from a country 15,000km away that resonates most deeply with the Leighmoor Uniting Church member.
Welsh choral music, in particular the tradition of male voice choirs, has its roots in the chapels which sprung up in Wales in the 18th century.
It’s a musical form that has been exported around the world and, in Victoria, Victoria Welsh Choir members, including Geoff, proudly continue a wonderful tradition.
Now in its 46th year, the choir continues to showcase the fine singing that has been a part of Welsh community and church life for many years.
The choir is Melbourne-based but has thriving Bendigo and Ballarat chapters and presents around 15 concerts in Victoria each year.
Over the years the choir has performed at venues like Royal Festival Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Ulumbarra Theatre, Sydney Opera House, and Docklands Stadium, but most concerts are held in churches and town halls.
“We’re a male choir singing in four-part harmony,” Geoff explains.
His involvement with the choir stretches back to 2001, having previously been a member of the Ashton-Smith Singers and a regular member of both Methodist and Uniting Church choirs.
Geoff credits the choir with helping him to bounce back from a health scare a few years ago.
I had decided to retire from the choir around December 2018 thinking life ends at the age of 80,” he says.
“I underwent prostate surgery and, after that clean bill of health, I decided I had a new lease on life, so I returned to the choir in 2022.
“I find it’s a wonderfully healthy outlet in so many years and, at the age of 86, I’m all for staving off the effects of dementia, and what helps with that is learning the Welsh words and notes for the bass part of any particular song that we are performing.
“I also enjoy the role of being a mentor to new choir members.
“It’s a wonderfully friendly group, much like a family, and we travel together and go to rehearsals together.
“A real bond develops among members.”
The choir is planning to travel to Sri Lanka next month, the birthplace of its new musical director Rushan Hewawasam, where they will perform five concerts.
Concert performances offer a great sense of joy for Geoff, and the special feeling that comes with singing as part of a group, particularly when members hit all the right notes.
“Oh, there is a feeling of real elation when that happens,” he says.
“We do get wonderful feedback from our audiences, which is great to hear.
“We often get audiences joining in with us, which is pretty special, and they generally go away delighted with what they have heard and the night that they have had.”
And through it all for Geoff, is a sense of profound gratitude.
“I just believe that singing praises to God boosts my faith, and that of other choir members,” he says.
“Music is such an important part of my life, and I believe that the gifts that God has given me should be shared for the entertainment and benefit of others.”