Cor Meibion Llanelli: April 2012

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Rhydian Roberts shines in concert

Rhydian Roberts, Côr Curiad and Côr Meibion Llanelli, Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli.

They came from as far away as Scotland. Some came from North Lincolnshire, Southampton and Brighton. There were even a couple of hundred from Felinfoel!
The Rhydian Roberts Fan Club must be as well travelled as the Llanelli’s Scarlets rugby team.
They certainly made sure that visiting Munster rugby fans had their work cut out trying to find a spare hotel room in Llanelli on Saturday night.
For the first time, the ‘Full House’ notices went up at the Selwyn Samuel Centre in Llanelli, with 1,200 packed into the bowls hall.
The gala concert had been arranged by the ladies of Côr Curiad to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, with a cheque for an amazing £14,000 being handed over on the night.
The classically-trained Rhydian, hero of X Factor and much more besides, made a grand entrance with a dramatic rendition of the Tom Jones classic Thunderball, from the James Bond film of the same name.
Rhydian sang two 20-minute spots in each half, with an ambitious selection which included Somewhere from West Side Story and Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera.
Mixed in was The Impossible Dream, Go West (which brought back memories for Côr Meibion Llanelli of the time they sang it with the Pet Shop Boys in the 1993 Brit Awards in the Alexandra Palace in London), and Pan Fyddo'r Nos yn Hir and Hafan Gobaith.
The concert finale saw Rhydian rally his army of fans with Dafydd Iwan’s Yma O Hyd, with both Côr Curiad and Côr Meibion Llanelli joining him in the chorus.
Côr Curiad’s set included - The Battle of Jericho, Over the Rainbow, Your Song, Adiemus, Ti a dy Ddoniau, I'll Stand By You, Autumn Leaves, Gweddi'r Arglwydd, Sosban Fach, Don’t Rain On My Parade and Gwenllian.
Côr Meibion Llanelli sang Superstar, Anthem (from Chess), Moon River, Blue Moon, Swing Low, Ride The Chariot, You'll Never Walk Alone and A-men.
Both choirs were happy to play supporting roles to Rhydian Roberts, but their performances alone were well worth the price of the ticket.
Special praise should go to accompanists Jayne Jewell and Sarah Thomas and music directors Alex Esney and Eifion Thomas.
The evening was compered in some style by Swansea Sound broadcaster and personality Kevin Johns.
Weblinks:
You Tube video - http://youtu.be/sJR8-QXrTWY
http://www.rhydianroberts.com/
http://corcuriad.co.uk/

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Choir accepts two invitations . . .

Cor Meibion Llanelli have accepted an invitation to sing at the Wales v Barbarians rugby match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, June 2.
The choir has also accepted an invitation to sing on the steps of The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay as part of a demonstration against health cuts in Llanelli organised by SOSSPAN, the Save Our Services Action Network for Prince Philip Hospital. The demonstration will take place on Wednesday, May 23.

Best wishes . . .

Happy birthday to chorister Peter Griffiths. Also, best wishes for a speedy recovery to retired chorister former Welsh rugby international Ray Williams.

Sounding good . . .

Cor Meibion Llanelli choristers on song in rehearsal last night. Sounding good for gig with Cor Curiad and Rhydian Roberts on Saturday.

Monday 16 April 2012

Rhydian Roberts to join choirs on stage on Saturday

Rhydian Roberts, of TV's X Factor, will be taking the stage with two of Llanelli's leading choirs this weekend.
The concert has been arranged by Côr Curiad as a fund-raiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust Cardiff Unit.
It takes place at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, April 21.
The evening will be compered by Swansea Sound personality Kevin Johns MBE and will also feature Côr Meibion Llanelli.
Tickets are available at Llanelli Library and from George Lewis, Market Precinct Llanelli.
There are only a few £17 tickets left.
Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas said he was looking forward to a great evening's entertainment.
He added: "All the Côr Meibion Llanelli choristers have been looking forward to this event and it is for a very worthy cause."
Côr Curiad is a ladies choir based in Llanelli.
The aim of the choir is to promote the Welsh language and the culture of choral singing.
Côr Curiad’s youngest member is just 15. It would be impolite to record the age of the oldest member!
Since its beginings in 1995, the choir has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
The choir has performed in Bath, St. David's and Wells Cathedrals, the Millennium Theatre in Cardiff and the new Welsh Assembly Government Building in Cardiff Bay.
More information on the Cor Curiad website -
http://corcuriad.co.uk/cor-curiad-events-fundraising-for-teenage-cancer-trust-cardiff-unit/