The new 'On Song' column for the Llanelli Star

The new 'On Song' column for the Llanelli Star - 

It was a case of young and old celebrating at the Centenary Concert staged by Halfway Primary School.
The stars of the show were the young singers from Halfway.
But they received a helping hand from the older generation, in the shape of Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir).
The concert marked a special occasion for Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas.
He was headmaster of Halfway School until his retirement eight years ago after completing more than 20 years teaching at the school.
"It was a great treat and an honour for me to be taking the stage with Côr Meibion Llanelli as I have such very fond memories of my time at Halfway School," said Mr Thomas.
The stage was also shared by former Halfway pupil Laura Morris, a soprano who currently works as a music teacher at Penyrheol School, Gorseinon.
"It was wonderful to hear Laura singing. She was excellent and her singing was greatly appreciated by the audience at the main hall of Halfway's neighbouring school of St John Lloyd.
"The children were very much the stars of the show, serving up many musical treats including a Disney medley.
"We had groups from Years 1 and 2, then Years 3 and 4, then Years 5 and 6 on stage, before the whole school took centre-stage for a finale."
Côr Meibion Llanelli's performance saw them sing a varied programme of traditional and contemporary songs.
At one stage, for The Lily of the Valley, they were joined on stage by Halfway School governor Adrian Morris, the nephew of chorister John 'Bach' Morris.
Adrian is also a former pupil of Halfway School and sang with the school in a memorable 1984 concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.
Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr Thomas said: "It was a wonderful evening and the children were exceptionally well behaved and a great credit to their school, their teachers and their parents."

Picture of Côr Meibion Llanelli performing with soprano Laura Morris courtesy of Halfway School and Emma Howells-Protheroe.

Chorister of the Week

This week’s ‘Chorister of the Week’ isn’t a chorister as such, but she’s a musician (and a singer) of real note.
Cor Meibion Llanelli’s have recruited a new accompanist, Rhiannon Williams-Hale to replace Sarah Thomas, who has left to concentrate on her teaching duties in Carmarthen.
Rhiannon Williams-Hale FLCM LLCM ALCM LRSM LTCL ATCL LGSMD was born in Cardiff in 1976. Rhiannon was educated at the Bishop of Llandaff High School, received piano tuition at the Royal Academy of Music, London (following two ABRSM scholarship prizes), and read Music at Cardiff University having been awarded the 'David Lloyd Vocal scholarship' on entrance.
Rhiannon’s career began as a singer and in 1989 she achieved the prestigious titles of 'Welsh and National BET Choirgirl of the Year' - the final of which was held in London. A part time vocal scholar at the RWCMD, she became a member of the National Youth Choirs of Wales, Great Britain and the RSCM Cathedral Singers, also achieving her 'St Cecilia Senior award' and LTCL in Voice. Rhiannon is a ‘Fellow’ of the London College of Music in piano accompaniment, a Licentiate and Associate of the same college (solo piano) and of the Guildhall, Trinity and Royal Schools of Music - achieving Distinctions in all.
In 2008, Rhiannon received honorary 'Lady' membership of the renowned 'Treorchy Male Choir' for whom she was principal accompanist (1998-2002). Also accompanist for the successful 'Bridgend Male Choir' (2003-2008) and the highly regarded ‘Pontarddulais Male Choir’(2008-2012), she toured greatly, including America, Canada and Australia, and also accompanied prestigious singers Alfie Boe, Shan Cothi, Gwawr Edwards, Rebecca Evans, Tristan Llyr Griffiths, Rhys Meirion, Fflur Wyn and Elin Manahan-Thomas, to name a few.
Rhiannon is currently the Musical Director of ‘Bridgend Male Choir’ (April 2012-present) - recently receiving the ‘runner up’ spot at the Majestic Male Voice Choir Competition, Torquay. She was also MD of ‘Cor Merched Ynysybwl’ for just over 10 years and is co-leader of the Treorchy based ‘Voices of the Valley’. Rhiannon has also ‘guest’ conducted Treorchy and Cwmbach Male Choirs. Rhiannon is the event organiser for the ‘Treorchy Eisteddfod’ (held for the first time in 2012) and is also an official accompanist for the ‘Richard Williams Musical Theatre Prize’ as well as being an organist at graduation ceremonies (University of Glamorgan). Her adjudicating experience has included the Final of the ‘Rotary Young Musician of Wales’ held at the WMC in 2009, the ‘Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician of the Year’ Semi-Finals, the ‘Festival4Stars’ competition at ‘The Pavillion-Porthcawl’, ‘The Princess of Wales Theatre-Port Talbot’ and at the ‘Bridgend County School Choir of the Year Competition' alongside Jeff Howard.
A private teacher at her Treorchy home, Rhiannon has a large practice and has taught for the past 20 years-many of her students have had success in the West End/Colleges of Music.
Website: www.rhiannonwilliams-hale.com

In brief 
It was great to Cantata on TV the other night. Cantata battled it out in the Female Voice category of S4C's Côr Cymru against three other choirs. They didn’t win – a decision which would have left their legion of Llanelli fans baffled. But hats off to musical director Catrin Hughes for another stunning performance.
Côr Curiad will be heading into England again at the end of the year. They have just booked a weekend in Tamworth (November 15-17) as guests of Tamworth Male voice choir.

Events
Burry Port Male choir 17th April 2013 Charity Concert Time 7pm English Methodist Church, Glanmor Terrace, Burry Port. The choir to take part in concert in aid of church charity funds. Proceeds will be divided between circuit funds and a local charity.There will be light entertainment during the interval and light refreshments at the end of the concert. Tickets from: Can be booked by telephoning David Willingham on 833973. Ticket price: Tickets (suggested £5 donation)
20th April 2013 Cefn Sidan Rotary Charity Concert 7.30pm St. Mary's Church, Kidwelly. Appearing Hywel Girls and Boy Singers, Eirlys Myfanwy Davies mezzo-soprano, and Burry Port Male Choir. Concert in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association, South west Wales. Tickets from: Josie's Hair Salon and the Pharmacy in Kidwelly,plus Rotary President Peter Hamilton on 01554 890822 Ticket price: £5
Côr Meibion Llanelli events – Saturday, July 13 - concert (with Cor Curiad) at Llangennech Church, 6.30pm. Saturday, August 3 - Annual concert at Y Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, 7pm.