The Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir are a boisterous bunch, no matter where they are. 'We have a habit of breaking into song on planes, at airport terminals, in restaurants and other places on our travels,' says chairman Shane Kelly. 'In fact, anywhere more than four choir members come together, we're liable to start singing.
'It's also not without precedent that we've been caught between venues for regular rehearsals and have had to resort to the most unpopular of places for us - the local [pub].' The group is well organised and prepared for most circumstances 'including singing in the dark', he adds.
There is little fear of that today as the choir take centre stage at the Sydney Opera House in a programme entitled A Massed Chorale Extravaganza. Along with other singers from Wales, England, Australia and New Zealand, the Hong Kong group will perform as a massed choir, backed by the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh and the University of New South Wales Regiment Band under the baton of London Welsh Male Choir conductor Haydn James. The performance is part of the troupe's 30th anniversary celebrations.
This afternoon's programme was put together by James, the show's musical director, and includes pieces new to the Hong Kong choir, such as Anthem from the musical Chess, Soldiers Chorus from Faust and Stout-Hearted Men from The New Moon.
There will also be other numbers to mark the event, including the Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.
'We view ourselves as ambassadors for Hong Kong. We're passionate about the music and songs and also welcome opportunities to perform and raise money for charitable organisations and other worthy causes,' says Kelly.