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 -

We can consider ourselves well blessed when it comes to excellent male voice choirs. If Wales is the Land of Song, then the circulation area of the Llanelli Star is where Welsh voices are at their best.
One example is Burry Port Male Choir.
The choir took its present shape way back in September 1962, when a meeting was called at the Memorial Hall inviting along any persons interested in reforming the choir to attend – some 30 people turned up.
The meeting concluded with Mr. Raymond Morris being appointed the new choir’s first conductor.
Mr. Ryan Lee, the present conductor, is only the seventh in more than 50 years.
The reputation of Burry Port Male Choir has extended under Mr Lee’s leadership to many parts of the Britain, Europe and the United States of America.
Over the years the choir has supported local charitable events and competed at eisteddfodau at both national and international levels.
The choir members have twice visited Holland, Canada once, and they have been to America on three occasions.
The choir has also visited and performed in Paris and at The Royal Albert Hall, London, in the 1000 Voices Concerts.
Mr Lee (his official title is Director of Music) was born in Llangennech and now lives in Burry Port.
Before his retirement, he was a headmaster and had been teaching for more than 15 years in English schools, where he gained valuable experience as a conductor of choirs and operatic societies.
Mr Lee has arranged many of the songs sung by the choir – the music set to Psalm 121 was composed by him and part of the current repertoire was arranged by him.
Many other choirs have benefited by receiving copies of his arrangements.
Mr Lee is also the Musical Director of the Burry Port Operatic Society, one of the very few Operatic Groups performing grand Opera in Wales.
Over the last few years he has been in great demand as a conductor of Hymn singing festivals know in Wales as “Cymanfaoedd Canu” and requests for his services are increasing every year.
Burry Port is very fortunate that the choral and operatic groups in the town are in the safe hands of a dedicated and talented musician.
Choir rehearsals take place every Monday and Thursday nights (except Bank Holidays and the month of August) between 7.00pm and 8.45pm at the Burry Port Memorial Hall.
The choir is available for concerts, weddings and special occasions.
The choir can be contacted through secretary Ian Rees - 07923 480343, email, sec@burryportmalechoir.co.uk
Future events for Burry Port Male Choir include –
April 24, wedding at Felinfoel Church, Llanelli.
May 20, Coffee evening organised by lady supporters.
July 2, Joint choir concert with Corby at Jerusalem, Burry Port.
September 17, annual concert.
September 24, Return concert to Corby, to be confirmed.
October 15, Mynydd Mawr 50th anniversary concert at Pontyberem Hall.
December 16, Community Carol Concert, to be confirmed.
Events calendar -
April
Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi Sat 9th April Fishguard Lions Club
Hywel Girls Choir and Hywel Boy Singers present ‘Encore’, April 16, “An Evening with Lesley Garrett”. Lesley Garrett, Gary Griffiths, Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus Chorale, Hywel Reunion Chorus, Huw Tregelles Williams (organ), Jane Jewell (piano), Gareth Hamlin (percussion), John Hywel Williams (conductor), Ffwrnes, Llanelli.
April 22, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir concert at The Diplomat Hotel, Llaneli, in aid of Parc Howard (7pm).
Curtain Up Theatre Company present Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Ffwrnes, Theatre, on April 23.
May
On 7th May in the candlelit surroundings of St Elli Parish Church, conductor John Hywel Williams will present “A Night of World Opera” with the British Sonfonietta Orchestra, Llanelli Choral Society, Angelicus Chorale, soprano Rhiannon Llewellyn, tenor Joshua Owen Mills where audiences will be delighted by a collection of the world’s favourite opera choruses and arias including Aida’s Grand March, Nessun Dorma, Pearlfishers Duet, O Mio Babbino Caro, Anvil Chorus.
May 8, “A Night of World Opera”. Llanelli Choral Society, Angelicus Chorale, British Sinfonietta Orchestra, Huw Tregelles Williams (organ), guest soloists, St. Elli Parish Church, Llanelli.
Côr Curiad’s choristers will be welcoming Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro to Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre on Saturday, May 14. Tickets are selling fast with proceeds from the event going towards one of Llanelli’s most popular charitable causes, the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice adjacent to Prince Philip Hospital.
On 14th May, the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers and Angelicus Chorale will give an exclusive performance at St. Mary’s Church, Kidwelly as part of the Mayor’s Charity Ball Performance.
May 26-31, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir tour to County Mayo in Ireland.
June
June 4, “Last Night of the Proms”. Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus Chorale, Llanelli Choral Society, Dunvant Male Choir, British Sinfonietta, Huw Tregelles Williams (organ), Gwawr Edwards (soprano), Ffwrnes, Llanelli.
July
July 9, “A Night of the Classics” Community Recital. Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus Chorale, Musicians and singers from Hywel Academy of Music, Huw Tregelles Williams (organ), Jane Jewell (piano), Gareth Hamlin (percussion), John Hywel Williams (conductor), St. Elli Parish Church, Llanelli.
Saturday 9th July: Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi, annual concert, Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly.

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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