A full house were in attendance to hear a range of local musical talent, performing in aid of St.David’s Hospice Care, on Saturday evening.

The youngsters of Côr Casnewydd opened proceedings. This is a new group who demonstrated great potential – it was particularly good to see teenage boys singing with such confidence. Unfortunately for this reviewer there was also his pet hate – the backing track. This can overpower the singing and certainly produces inflexibility in the performance – it would be my first item into Room 101! Despite this they began the show well.

Noteworthy provided quirky and interesting interludes. There was a lot to admire in this group’s performance. They began with the fanfare to C20th Century Fox and followed it with a series of choreographed film and pop tunes (Sha-Boom was a highlight) all sung a cappella.. It was amusing and daring and, though there were slips (this is still a work in progress) I hope to hear a lot more of them.

Contrast was provided by one of Wales’ top brass bands ,The City of Cardiff (conducted by Gareth Ritter) who played a sequence of crowd pleasers. Bowie’s ‘ Life on Mars’ included an excellent flugel horn solo from Chris Brown.

Two of Gwent’s most established mixed choirs completed the show – The New Harmony Singers performed with their usual polish. Their unusual staging arrangement seems to add to the wonderful blend that Pamela Guy has achieved. It was also good to hear the Dorothy Adams singers, still going strong under another of Newport’s most established musicians, David Owen, bringing to an end such an enjoyable evening.