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 Male Voice Choir members are looking forward to a trip to Ireland next year.
The choristers are planning a short tour to Mayo and Galway in Ireland at Easter.
“One of the joys of being a member of Côr Meibion Llanelli is getting the chance to tour abroad,” said choir secretary Fred Elias.
“Down the years, we’ve covered the globe. We’ve been to Australia and New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, and a whole host of countries in Europe.
“Côr Meibion Llanelli members are highly regarded as being ‘ambassadors of song’.
“Our former chairman always used to say that if countries sent out choirs rather than armies, then there would be more peace in the world.”
Mr Elias added: “In recent years, we have been to Austria and The Netherlands. The boys do like the odd half pint of Guinness so it seemed appropriate to go on a mission to Ireland in 2016.
“There is a major international music festival in County Mayo and we may be able to plan our visit around that event. The plan is to sing at two different venues on the trip, allowing plenty of time for sight-seeing and cultural excursions.”
Choir vice-chairman Tony Crossman said: “Côr Meibion Llanelli is famous the world over and now is a great time to join the choir.
“The camaraderie of being part of a male voice choir is very special – and it is proven by medical research that there are health benefits to singing and being part of a male voice choir.
“So, I would encourage anyone out there who is interested to come along to one of our rehearsals to see what we are all about. Rehearsals will recommence in the new year on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli.”
Mr Crossman added: “We are also keen to bolster the ranks of our choir vice-presidents and anyone who wants to become a VP can do so for just £25, or £40 for a couple.”
The choristers will be keeping their voices fresh over the Christmas period as they will be singing at the big Scarlets v Ospreys PRO12 Derby match at Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day.
Mr Elias said: “The boys of the choir love singing at Parc y Scarlets. We will be doing our best to add some passion and hwyl to the singing in the hope that the Scarlets can beat the ‘Jacks’ from over the Loughor Bridge.
“It’s been a busy Christmas spell for the choir. Hot on the heels of the very successful Christmas concert staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, we performed Christmas Carols at the Thomas Arms, Llanelli.
“That event was organised with the help of the management of the Thomas Arms and money raised from the event went to Tenovus and the Ty Bryngwyn Llanelli Hospice Appeal.
“All in all, it’s been a busy and very successful year for the choir.
“One of our highlights was being part of the very first concert performance at the new Bryn Terfel Theatre at the new Pontio arts centre in Bangor in North Wales.
“We’ve also hosted a choir from Vancouver in Canada and performed at various venues throughout Wales, including the prestigious Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
“Another major highlight of the year was the recording of our latest CD, which is selling like hot cakes at the moment.
“Adulam Chapel in Felinfoel was converted into a temporary recording studio for the choir as we laid down the tracks for album for the Sain recording company.
“We had 52 choristers in the chapel for Friday night and most of Saturday.
“It was a great experience and the choristers worked very hard on the recordings.
“We were assisted by our regular accompanist Aled Maddock and our guest organist Allan Fewster
“In addition, the celebrated soprano Adele O’Neill was our guest for a number of tracks.
“We were all delighted with the end result - a CD called Angel, a word which works equally well in English and in Welsh.
“The choir has a well-deserved reputation for producing an excellent sound and the recording reflects the very high standard of choral singing we regularly achieve on our travels both home and abroad.”
“Songs recorded for the album included – Mona Lisa, Moon River, Speak Softly, Love, Wade in the Water, Ave Maria, Stille Nacht, Cri yn y nos, Eleni, Hoea Ra - Penrhyn Gŵyr, Trysor y Crud Ysbryd y Tragwyddol Dduw, La Vergine Degli Angeli, Safwn yn y Bwlch and Anfonaf Angel.”
There were solo spots for choir stalwarts Byron Thomas and Anthony Bowen on the recording.
The CD is available at all good shops and through choir members.
Mr Elias went on: “Côr Meibion Llanelli members would like to thank everyone who has helped make 2015 such a successful year – and we’d like to wish everyone a very Happy 2016.”
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
Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir members are looking forward to a trip to Ireland next year.
The choristers are planning a short tour to Mayo and Galway in Ireland at Easter.
“One of the joys of being a member of Côr Meibion Llanelli is getting the chance to tour abroad,” said choir secretary Fred Elias.
“Down the years, we’ve covered the globe. We’ve been to Australia and New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, and a whole host of countries in Europe.
“Côr Meibion Llanelli members are highly regarded as being ‘ambassadors of song’.
“Our former chairman always used to say that if countries sent out choirs rather than armies, then there would be more peace in the world.”
Mr Elias added: “In recent years, we have been to Austria and The Netherlands. The boys do like the odd half pint of Guinness so it seemed appropriate to go on a mission to Ireland in 2016.
“There is a major international music festival in County Mayo and we may be able to plan our visit around that event. The plan is to sing at two different venues on the trip, allowing plenty of time for sight-seeing and cultural excursions.”
Choir vice-chairman Tony Crossman said: “Côr Meibion Llanelli is famous the world over and now is a great time to join the choir.
“The camaraderie of being part of a male voice choir is very special – and it is proven by medical research that there are health benefits to singing and being part of a male voice choir.
“So, I would encourage anyone out there who is interested to come along to one of our rehearsals to see what we are all about. Rehearsals will recommence in the new year on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli.”
Mr Crossman added: “We are also keen to bolster the ranks of our choir vice-presidents and anyone who wants to become a VP can do so for just £25, or £40 for a couple.”
The choristers will be keeping their voices fresh over the Christmas period as they will be singing at the big Scarlets v Ospreys PRO12 Derby match at Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day.
Mr Elias said: “The boys of the choir love singing at Parc y Scarlets. We will be doing our best to add some passion and hwyl to the singing in the hope that the Scarlets can beat the ‘Jacks’ from over the Loughor Bridge.
“It’s been a busy Christmas spell for the choir. Hot on the heels of the very successful Christmas concert staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, we performed Christmas Carols at the Thomas Arms, Llanelli.
“That event was organised with the help of the management of the Thomas Arms and money raised from the event went to Tenovus and the Ty Bryngwyn Llanelli Hospice Appeal.
“All in all, it’s been a busy and very successful year for the choir.
“One of our highlights was being part of the very first concert performance at the new Bryn Terfel Theatre at the new Pontio arts centre in Bangor in North Wales.
“We’ve also hosted a choir from Vancouver in Canada and performed at various venues throughout Wales, including the prestigious Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
“Another major highlight of the year was the recording of our latest CD, which is selling like hot cakes at the moment.
“Adulam Chapel in Felinfoel was converted into a temporary recording studio for the choir as we laid down the tracks for album for the Sain recording company.
“We had 52 choristers in the chapel for Friday night and most of Saturday.
“It was a great experience and the choristers worked very hard on the recordings.
“We were assisted by our regular accompanist Aled Maddock and our guest organist Allan Fewster
“In addition, the celebrated soprano Adele O’Neill was our guest for a number of tracks.
“We were all delighted with the end result - a CD called Angel, a word which works equally well in English and in Welsh.
“The choir has a well-deserved reputation for producing an excellent sound and the recording reflects the very high standard of choral singing we regularly achieve on our travels both home and abroad.”
“Songs recorded for the album included – Mona Lisa, Moon River, Speak Softly, Love, Wade in the Water, Ave Maria, Stille Nacht, Cri yn y nos, Eleni, Hoea Ra - Penrhyn Gŵyr, Trysor y Crud Ysbryd y Tragwyddol Dduw, La Vergine Degli Angeli, Safwn yn y Bwlch and Anfonaf Angel.”
There were solo spots for choir stalwarts Byron Thomas and Anthony Bowen on the recording.
The CD is available at all good shops and through choir members.
Mr Elias went on: “Côr Meibion Llanelli members would like to thank everyone who has helped make 2015 such a successful year – and we’d like to wish everyone a very Happy 2016.”
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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