The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star

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

Llanelli concert promoter and impresario Cerith Owens is looking forward to a busy 2016.
Mr Owens has worked tirelessly during 2015 to develop his stable of ‘Rising Stars’ at Loud Applause Productions.
And he has now added a new tier of ‘Aspiring Loud Applause Rising Stars’ to his team.
Mr Owens explained: “I think it is crucially important to give youngsters opportunities to perform on concert platforms.
“We start by nurturing them gently with small-scale appearances at intimate events, gradually building their confidence for full-blown concert appearances.
“I have been heavily involved in concert promotion in Llanelli for a number of years, but I could see the need to provide different platforms to help develop young talent in the area.
“We’ve got so many talented youngsters in the area and they all need careful tuition and mentoring to fulfil their potential.
“My core idea was to provide them with ‘gentle’ introductions to concert stage – and it seems to have worked a treat.
“For example, last week, young Callum Rhys Williams made his ‘public debut’ by singing at a function for the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust at Llanelly House.
“The event also featured Close Harmony, a female acapella group from Llanelli and Burry Port and as such it was an ideal way to introduce Callum to public peformance.
“Many of the Loud Applause Rising Stars team are now familiar figures on bigger concert stages – Samuel Morris, Daniella Difede, Keely Morgan and Jordan Williams, for example.
“They will continue to develop further over the next year and at the same time we are helping to nurture other talented youngsters who will be names to watch for the coming year.”
Recently recruited to the Aspiring Loud Applause Rising Stars have been Thomas Bytheway, Callum Howells, Dylan Morgan and Callum Rhys Williams.
In addition, the Loud Applause team also has established names in the team as Associate Guests - The Singhs, Piet Zorn and Anthony Marsdon.
Loud Applause has supported a number of charities down the years - Amser Justin Time, Tenovus, The Royal British Legion, Ty Hafan, Kenya Children of Hope, BLAS – Ammanford Storke Group, Ty Bryngwyn Hospice and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Events for 2016 include -
27th February 2016 – 7.00pm, Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. A Gala Concert to celebrate St David’s Day. Featuring a combined choir of Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Choir and Dunvant Male Choir with Côr Ysgol Iau Llangennech, soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, plus the young up and coming singer Jordan Williams. Hosted by the ever popular Garry Owen.
5th March 2016 – 7.00pm, Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. St David’s Celebration Concert. A Gala Concert to celebrate our Patron Saint. Featuring Côr Meibion De Cymru, Côr Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin and international baritone Gary Griffiths. Hosted by the ever popular Garry Owen.
Other dates in the Loud Applause calendar are –
October 15 Annual British Legion Gala Conbcert at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.
November 12 – A Night With The Stars. Loud Applause Annual Gala Concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
One of the most recent recruits to the Aspiring Loud Applause Rising Stars stable is Callum Howells.
Callum attends Treorchy Comprehensive School and has achieved a lot since starting there five years ago.
Callum started off his performing career as Oliver as part of Selsig Operatic’s production of Oliver The Musical, not knowing that a year later he would be part of the Children’s Ensemble in the UK Tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of the hit musical.
Other parts which Callum has played include Billy in Billy Elliot, Archie in 13 The Musical, Don Lockwood in Singin’ In The Rain and Electra in Starlight Express.
Callum also has a passion for Tap Dancing where he has recently attained his Silver Medallion (with Honours) and Grade 4 (with Distinction).
Callum has also recently achieved his Grade 8 in Singing (with Distinction) with the London Trinity Guildhall examination board.
Callum has won a variety of competitions including; Cardiff’s Star of Stage, singing the Spamalot classic ‘The Song That Goes Like This’ with this also winning him a scholarship to The Connie Fisher Summer Academy.
As well as theatre, Callum has been seen on television when he travelled to South East Asia to film a documentary on CBBC about the contrast in other children’s lives on the other side of the world called ‘Show Me What You’re Made Of’ which was later nominated for a Children’s BAFTA Award.
Early last year Callum worked with CBBC’s Blue Peter as their Royal Correspondent for a number of special events which they covered including the Queen’s Coronation Anniversary, Prince Charles visiting Wales and interviewing Black Rod in The Houses of Parliament.
Callum is also a member of the successful choir Only Boys Aloud and has been for almost five years.
More recently, Callum has just completed a contemporary dance production with Matthew Bourne’s company; New Adventures, at the Wales Millennium Centre called ‘Lord of the Flies’ which had exceptional reviews all across the UK.
A very recent achievement of Callum’s was being chosen out of over 8,000 auditionees to join National Youth Music Theatre’s production of ‘Prodigy’ (a brand new musical written by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary) and was performed at the St James Theatre in London.
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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