A UNIQUE annual concert will be celebrating its 60th anniversary at Easter and ex-nurse Mair Dowell has sung in every single one.
The Tremeirchion Bach Choir and Orchestra first performed in 1965, and it continues to this day thanks to the commitment of the community to keep the Good Friday musical celebration alive.
Each year the group performs Bach’s masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion.
The choir was co-founded by the late Alun Vaughan Jones from Tremeirchion.
Remarkably, his 77-year-old daughter Mair Dowell is proud that she’s been involved in all the Good Friday performances over the past six decades.
Over the years, elements of the performance have altered – there was an enforced absence because of the Covid pandemic, the concert venue has now switched from Tremeirchion to St Asaph Cathedral, and last year the group performed Bach’s St John Passion.
But Mair said the original intention 60 years ago to make music accessible to all remains intact.
Retired A&E nurse Mair said: “Who would have thought all those years ago that it would still be going in 60 years?
“It started with just a little church choir in Tremeirchion and it has developed into what it is today.”
The concert on Good Friday, April 18, is being made possible thanks to the generosity of the main sponsor, the arts-loving Pendine Park care organisation through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT).
The trust was set up by Pendine Park proprietors, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, to support arts and community events.
This year’s performance will be particularly special for them because Pendine is also celebrating a big birthday – its 40 anniversary.
Mair, who lives in St Asaph, explained her father’s love of music was key to the beginning of the annual Easter tradition.
She said: “There was always music in my house when we were growing up.
“My father was a builder by trade and had never had musical education.
“He learned it all through books and listening to the radio.
“He taught me how to play the piano and there was always music around, I never remember the home without music.
“My father always had different choirs and one day a chap from Rhyl, Mike Lewis, was with my father and said it would be nice to do something in Tremeirchion.
“He said he had copies of the St Matthew Passion and my dad said ‘Well, let’s do it’. That’s how it all started.
“Most of the people then taking part in the performance were very local.
“Nowadays, the choir are all still quite local, though some come from further away – from Anglesey, from Cheshire.
“Some of the orchestra members come from a bit further away – Liverpool, Yorkshire – and they love taking part.”
Mair said she was deeply proud the annual event had remained true to its roots, and remains an important cultural event in North Wales six decades later.
She said: “The way it has changed and grown makes me very proud, the way it has come on has been unbelievable.
“I suppose I must admit I am quite proud that I have taken part in every performance, it is quite an achievement when you think about it, I’ve grown up with it.”
The choir and orchestra will be led by one of Wales’s best known conductors, Trystan Lewis.
Trystan said despite his vast experience of conducting music over many years and at many venues, the annual concert at St Asaph remains a “pinnacle” for him.
He said: “The whole thing is quite remarkable because the St Matthew Passion by JS Bach is one of the hardest in the repertoire of any choir.
“It’s for two choirs, two orchestras and also soloists so to get the whole thing to work is like steering a big tanker down a narrow lane!
“There will be about 100 people all in all involved in the performance.
“To think this will be the 60th year they have been performing it, and it all started in a small village in North Wales, is quite incredible.
“Usually if you want to enjoy the St Matthew Passion you’d have to go to London or at best Manchester, so to have the opportunity to hear it in North Wales is quite something.”
Trystan paid tribute to Mair and her commitment to ensuring the performances continued over 60 years.
He said: “What a remarkable musical milestone. Mair really is the backbone of this, she makes it all happen.
“One of the pinnacles of my career is to be part of this.”
Mario Kreft said he was delighted to support the Good Friday concert at St Asaph Cathedral once again.
He said: “This remarkable annual concert is a truly unique celebration for Easter.
“For it to be marking its 60th anniversary this year is a fine testament to all those who have been involved in its organisation over the six decades.
“We have extra reason to celebrate with the concert organisers, as this year Pendine Park marks its 40th anniversary.”
Mr Kreft said leading composer Paul Mealor is playing a key role in coordinating Pendine Park’s cultural activities this year to mark its 40th anniversary.
Professor Mealor, who has written music for many royal occasions including coronation of King Charles. is the artistic director of the North Wales International Music Festival which takes place annually at St Asaph Cathedral, with Pendine Park the festival’s headline sponsor.
Professor Paul Mealor said: “The Good Friday concert at St Asaph Cathedral is truly a unique occasion, and an excellent celebration of Bach’s work.
“We are extremely fortunate to have this concert taking place in North Wales every year, and for it to be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year is quite remarkable.
“The continuing success of this annual concert reflects the commitment of all those involved in its organisation and also the high standard of musicianship of the members of the choir and orchestra.”
Tickets can be purchased by calling Mair Dowell on 01745 583543 / 07768 630055.
