Côr Meibion Llanelli staging Christmas special

Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) are staging a Christmas concert with a difference this year.
The choir's annual festive concerts at Theatr Elli have been pulling in the crowds for years.
This year, Theatr Elli is unavailable as work is completed on the new Ffwrnes theatre complex in East Gate, Llanelli.
"It's a bit of a blow not to have Theatr Elli available," admitted Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas.
"But in order not to disappoint our many fans, we have a Christmas concert with a difference planned for Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli, on Saturday, 7pm."
The concert is being billed as 'Sing Christmas!', with audience participation encouraged so that everyone gets into the Christmas spirit.
Mr Thomas added: "We are also very fortunate in that we have some very special guests with us for the Tabernacle concert - Côr Curiad, Côr Baroc and the Queen Elizabeth Brass Quintet.
"It promises to be a memorable evening highlighting the very best in Welsh choral traditions, with the spotlight on festive tunes guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit."
The accompanist will be Sarah Thomas. The organist will be Allan Fewster MBE.
Admission is £5 by programme. Programmes are available from choir members.

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/

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/

Cor Meibion Llanelli website - http://llanellimalechoir.co.uk/

Rhydian Roberts website -http://www.rhydianroberts.com/

Kevin Johns website -http://www.kevinjohns.co.uk/

Check out latest on Saturday's Gala Concert with Cor Curiad

Check out the latest on Saturday's Gala Concert with Cor Curiad and Rhydian Roberts - http://corcuriad.co.uk/cor-curiad-events-fundraising-for-teenage-cancer-trust-cardiff-unit/

Choir ready for Parc y Scarlets date this Friday

Parc y Scarlets is set to welcome some stars of the stage as it holds its biggest ever choral concert.
Featuring performances by some of the biggest Welsh names in music, the Gala Concert will be staged in the stadium's Delme Thomas Centre on Friday, March 16.
The show will showcase a wide variety of singing talent.
Carmarthen-born tenor Wynne Evans, of Go Compare fame, will return to the stadium to perform, along with soprano Gwawr Edwards, who recently performed for the Prince of Wales at Highgrove.
Young singers from Only Boys Aloud will join the pair on stage, and Cor Meibion Llanelli will show off the musical talent that has led them to perform at many of the UK's leading concert halls.
And X Factor contestant John Adams will once again sing at Parc y Scarlets, where he wowed the crowds at last year's fireworks spectacular.
The audience will also be treated to a performance by 200 youngsters from across the town in the 200 Voices Llanelli Schools choir.
The Gala Concert is being produced by Cerith Owens of Loud Applause Productions on behalf of Parc y Scarlets.
Carmarthen born Evans sang as Ubaldo Piangi in the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall last year as well as being more popularly known for his role as the tenor Gio Comaprio in the insurance adverts.
As a keen rugby and Scarlets supporter, Evans famously responded to the New Zealand Haka in 2004 at the Millennium Stadium before going on to sing at more than 30 Wales rugby fixtures.
Gwawr Edwards, a soprano from Aberystwyth was guest soloist at the Royal Albert Hall for the Thousand Male Voice Choir festival.
Only Boys Aloud was started by its father company - the highly acclaimed, Only Men Aloud, to encourage singing among young men across South Wales.
Only Boys Aloud featuring representatives from OBA Cross Hands, OBA Neath and OBA Maesteg will join Edwards and Evans on stage at the Delme Thomas Centre.
John Adams wowed the judges on last year's X-Factor with his rendition of Damien Rice's Cannonball.
The 23-year-old has gone on to make a name for himself and has appeared at numerous events including Scarlets' Fireworks Night with the X-Factor.
Tickets for the Gala Concert are priced as follows:
Adults £20, £15, £13. Under 16's £15, £10, £8
Seating will be reserved and all tickets can be purchased from Parc y Scarlets' ticket office, call 0871 871 8088.
http://loudapplauseproductions.moonfruit.com/#
http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/events/4649.php

Côr Meibion Llanelli ready for busy week

Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) are geared-up for one of their busiest weeks of the year.
On St David’s Day, Thursday, March 1, the choristers will be heading up the M4 for their very own ‘big match’ near Twickenham.
The choir will be performing at Duke Street Baptist Church, Richmond, in aid of the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond’s chosen charity, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Leanne Corneille, Mayor’s support officer in Richmond, said there was a huge amount of interest in the concert.
“Tickets have been selling like hot-cakes,” she said. “Having the choir perform here in Richmond on St David’s Day makes the event extra special and we will have plenty of ‘London Welsh’ exiles in the audience.”
Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director D Eifion Thomas said the choristers were looking forward to the London trip.
“Like the Wales rugby team getting revved-up for a big match at Twickenham, the choristers revel in the occasion of taking to the stage for a special event on St David’s Day.”
On Saturday, March 3, the choir will be holding its annual ‘St David’s Day’ concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.
“The commitment to perform in London means that we have had to delay our own St David’s Day concert by a couple of days,” said Mr Thomas.
“But, you can rest assured that it will be well worth the wait. We care very passionately about celebrating all things Welsh and the life of our patron saint and the evening at Theatr Elli will reflect that passion and pride.”
The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.
Future Côr Meibion Llanelli events –
Thursday, March 1 – St David’s Day concert in Twickenham for the Mayor of Richmond’s charity, 7pm start.
Saturday, March 3 – Concert to mark St David’s Day at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, 7pm start.
Friday, March 9 – Wedding at the Stradey Park Hotel for choir founder member Byron Thomas’s daughter. 4pm.
Friday,March 16 – Gala concert at Parc y Scarlets, 7pm start, featuring tenor Wynne Evans and Only Men Aloud.

Kind-hearted choristers help family centre

The kind-hearted choristers of Cor Meibion Llanelli have presented a cheque for £100 to the St Paul's Family Centre in Llanelli.
The money came from the choir's Christmas charity fund and was presented to Debbie James, family centre manager at the St Paul's Family Centre.
She said the centre users were very grateful and had made a special 'thank-you' card for choir members.
Pictured, left to right, are choir musical director Eifion Thomas, choir chairman Mel Harries, Debbie James and choir member Graham Williams.
Choir members will be performing at the new Brynteg School in Llwynhendy at 10.30am on Thursday.

Scenes from the Christmas concert

Scenes from the Christmas concert staged by Cor Meibion Llanelli at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, on Saturday, December 17 -

Community spirit drives charity concert

There’s a tale of great community spirit behind Cor Meibion’s appearance for a charity concert at Capel Adulam in Felinfoel, Llanelli, next week (February 18).

“It’s a story which has very poignant moments and very uplifting moments,” said chapel Minister Rev Alan Jones.

“Basically, it is about a community’s shared experience and how we come through the good times and the bad times.”

Cor Meibion Llanelli will be performing at the chapel in Adulam on Friday, February 18, and will be sharing the stage with the pupils from Ysgol y Felin, the new school in Felinfoel which has been formed by Ysgol y Babanod and the Primary school.

“It promises to be an excellent evening’s entertainment and I would hope everyone turns out to support a worthy cause because we will be raising money for the West Wales Hospital in Glangwili in Carmarthen.”

The Minister explained: “We have chosen Glangwili because it seems to feature very heavily in the lives of our chapel-goers.

“Many have benefited from treatment and major surgery at Glangwili Hospital and are with us today to pay testament to the hard work of our doctors and nurses. For others, it has sadly been the end of a journey. Take, for example, one of Felinfoel’s true gentlemen, Gerald Phillips, who was for many years the Llanelli Star’s local correspondent and who died at Glangwili.

“The work of the hospital seems to have touched the lives of so many of us, including those at my other chapel in Salem in Llangennech.

“And, in fact, I have personal experience as I suffered meningitis and a thrombosis in the head. Without the care and dedication of our doctors and nurses, I would not be here today.”

Rev Jones added: “It was while I was out walking, recuperating from my illness, that I bumped in to Cor Meibion Llanelli’s musical director Eifion Thomas. Without any prompting from me, he suggested the choir do a charity concert.

“It was literally music to my ears as the choir had been very kind to me during my ministry at Ebenezer Chapel in Aberavon. After the terrible blast furnace tragedy at the Port Talbot steelworks in 2001, Cor Meibion rallied to the cause with a fund-raising concert which the people of the steel town found very moving indeed.

“As a chapel at Adulam, we have already raised more than £700 through a charity curry night at the Masala restaurant in West End, Llanelli. We have high hopes that this charity concert can do better than that!”

The concert starts at 7pm and tickets are available from Gerwyn Richards at Adulam Chapel, other chapel members and through Ysgol y Felin.

Cor Meibion Llanelli at charity lunch

Cor Meibion Llanelli performed at the NSPCC charity lunch at Parc Howard, Llanelli, yesterday afternoon.