The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - 

Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) will be flying the flag for the town when the big choral championship battle starts at the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod on Saturday night.
The choir will be bidding for a sixth National Eisteddfod first prize, but will face stern competition from Côr Meibion Pontarddulais and Côr Meibion Taf.
“The National Eisteddfod is always a huge test for any choir and there are months of preparation and rehearsals that go into making that appearance on the big stage,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas.
“As with all competitions, you have to be in it to win it and many choirs will shy away from the Eisteddfod platform. Côr Meibion Llanelli members are always up for the challenge, however, and as the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod is being held in Llanelli, our home town, we are delighted to be taking part in the competition.
“In addition, this is our 50th anniversary as a choir and we are doing our very best to make it a memorable one in the choir’s rich history.”
The choir last won the Eisteddfod prize in 2000, when the Eisteddfod last came to Llanelli.
Other Eisteddfod wins for Côr Meibion Llanelli came at Lampeter in 1984, Fishguard in 1986, Llandeilo in 1996 and Bridgend in 1998.
The choir will be competing in the main Eisteddfod Pavilion in the category for Male Voice Choir with more than 45 members.
Mr Thomas added: “We have a challenging repertoire of three items, including the Eisteddfod ‘Test’ piece ‘Y Ganfed Salm’, The 100th Psalm.”
During the course of Eisteddfod week there will be plenty of treats in store for lovers of good singing at the huge pink Pavilion.
Other competitions include -
Youth choir under 25 yrs and with more than 20 members. 19:25 - Wednesday 6 August 2014.
Competitors: Côr y Cwm, Bois Ceredigion, Twrw Tawe, Ysgol y Strade, Côr Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin.
Women's Choir with more than 20 members. 13:35 - Thursday 7 August 2014.
Competitors: Côr Merched y Bala, Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal, Côr Merched Bro Nest, Lleisiau Mignedd, Côr y Wiber.
Folk Song Party up to 20 members. 12:30 - Friday 8 August 2014.
Competitors: Parti’r Efail, Lodesi Dyfi, Hogia Llanbobman, Lleisiau’r Cwm, Curiad y Cwm, Parti Llwchwr, Lleisiau Lliw.
Mixed choir with 20-45 members. 20:50 - Friday 8 August 2014.
Competitors: Côr Dre, Côrdydd, Côr Aethwy.
Folk Song Choir more than 20 members. 21:40 - Friday 8 August 2014.
Competitors: Côr Esceifiog, Côr Dre, Côr Aethwy.
Male Voice Choir with 20-45 members. 14:20 - Saturday 9 August 2014.
Competitors: A’ ni’ ma’ ’to, Côr Undebol Ar Ôl Tri, Bois y Castell, Meibion y Machlud.
There’s an extra special treat for lovers of choral singing on Thursday night, August 6, when the Eisteddfod Choir feature in a concert in the Pavilion.
The masses ranks of the mixed choir have been conducted in rehearsals by Llanelli’s Eifion Thomas and Catrin Hughes.
The concert will be an opportunity to enjoy works by two French composers from the 19th century. Both are sacred works, one is the Mass to St. Cécile by Gounod, and the other is a Requiem Mass by Faure.
Solists will be Fflur Wyn and Trystan Llyr Griffiths and Gwion Thomas.

Robert Lloyd works as a media consultant – www.rlloydpr.co.uk
If you have any news about the choral scene in Llanelli, the please contact him on 07777 683637 or email rlloydpr@btinternet.com

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