THE VANCOUVER WELSH MEN'S CHOIR Ross Welsh - The Singing Welshman
Ross Welsh is a busy guy. This octogenarian is a lawn bowler, a member of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club, is an Area Captain for Meals on Wheels, and is a member of the world-renowned 100 voice Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir (VWMC).
Choir President Kevin O'Malley says "Ross is our grand ticket handler. He ably and capably manages the mail order and the 'Will/Call" tickets for all the VWMC concerts. His life is full of activity and he is much appreciated." This is a big job as the choir's concerts usually sell out and they number about 15 per year. Ross is a 10-year veteran of the choir and is enthusiastically anticipating the upcoming spring concert schedule.
Ross lends his rich bass voice to singing in every concert whether it is in the Vancouver area, weekend tours within B.C., or on longer concert tours further afield. He sang with the choir in Royal Albert Hall in London, England (2000), in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia (2003), and most recently, on tour in Boston and the Maritimes (2006).
Like his fellow singers, he thrives on the camaraderie and feeling of brotherhood which is a strong bond among the men of the VWMC. His enthusiasm for singing coupled with his exuberant and out-going personality ensure that Ross is well known and respected by all the other Choir members.
He is treasured by his fellow members and in June 2000, he was presented with the Unsung Hero Award, an honour bestowed annually to a Choir member who gives outstanding service to the Choir.
As a youthful 88-year-old, Ross is the oldest member of the choir. He was born in Zelandia, Saskatchewan on October 18, 1918, where Ross completed schooling through to high school. He entered university at the University of Saskatchewan. But the Second World War interrupted his education.
During the war he first served as Warrant Officer in the Dental Corps and then transferred to the Air Force where he acquired his commission, Pilot Officer Gunnery. Following the war, he returned to university and at the age of 30 he decided to tie the knot. He married Phyllis Tayler, who in time, presented him with two sons and a daughter: Michael, Kathie, and Richard. Ross and Phyllis were a loving couple for 53 years (1948 to 2001).
On leaving the U of Sask. in the late 1940s with a degree in Engineering, he went to work for Alchamp Ltd. (opening their Calgary office), and was eventually called to Montreal. He left the company in 1953 and returned to Calgary to work for Seaman's Ltd. until 1959, then worked for Patterson Boiler Works followed by Elliott Copper & Brass until 1983 and his retirement.
Ross is a Life Member of the Alberta Professional Engineers Assoc. and the B.C. Professional Engineers Association, and a former member of the Montreal Professional Engineers Association. And of course the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir.
The VWMC will present the following evening concerts in 2007:
• February 24 at Ryerson United Church with guest artists I. Tromboni.
• March 3 at Maple Ridge Center with guest jazz group Voca Java.
• March 30 at South Delta Baptist Church with the Delta Police Pipe Band.
• May 26 at Chan Center, UBC with Lions' Gate Chorus and the UBC Opera Ensemble.
For tickets, call (604) 878-1190, or email vwmc@shaw.ca. For more information about the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir, visit: www.vwmc.ca
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