The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal

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

Tickets have just gone on sale for one of the highlights in Llanelli’s musical calendar - Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir’s annual concert.
The choristers, under the baton of musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas, have a glowing reputation both in Wales and internationally.
Over the years, they have won awards galore.
The ‘annual’ is the choir’s yearly opportunity to showcase their latest repertoire before their ‘home town’ supporters.
Côr Meibion Llanelli will be staging their annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, at 7pm on Saturday, September 24.
Tickets can be obtained through the Ffwrnes Theatre box office or through the Theatrau Sir Gar website.
The choir’s special guests will be Penrhyn Male Choir (Penrhyn Male Choir) from North Wales.
The two choirs are ‘old friends’. Côr Meibion Llanelli performed with Côr Penrhyn at one of the first events to be staged at the new Bryn Terfel Theatre at The Pontio arts centre in Bangor earlier this year.
Côr Penrhyn are paying back the favour by journeying south for the Côr Meibion Llanelli concert.
“It promises to be a very special evening,” said musical director Mr Thomas.
“Our travels this year have taken us over to the Emerald Isle in Ireland, but we always welcome the chance for a performance on our home territory.
“The choristers greatly appreciate the support of their legion of local, local fans and our aim is to show off our latest repertoire and introduce some very special guests to our Llanelli and West Wales supporters.
This Saturday, Burry Port Town Band are ready to host their summer concert in Burry Port Memorial Hall, on Saturday, July 23.
The concert will offer the audience the chance to exclusively preview the band’s programme for this year's National Eisteddfod of Wales competition.
Burry Port Band are the reigning 2015 Eisteddfod champions and return to the contest in Abergavenny at the end of July to defend their title with a show-stopping programme.
On top of this, the concert will feature some classic brass band music, as well as some jazz and popular numbers, and will undoubtedly have something to please all ears.
What's more, the band are delighted to announce that their musical guests for the evening will be Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm.
The ladies choir from Dyffryn Aman will be bringing their own fabulous sounds to the concert, under the experienced leadership of musical director Catrin Hughes.
The compere for the evening will be someone by the name of Robert Lloyd!
Tickets are available on the door for £12, or at a special early bird rate of £10 if you buy in advance from Elgan Jones Butchers, Burry Port Premier Store and Burns Farm Shop, Parc Y Bocs. Alternatively please contact Edmond John on 01554 833749.
Meanwhile, The 2015 Welsh Open and National Eisteddfod Champions, Burry Port Town Band, invite applications from a first class Solo Baritone and Bass player (position negotiable) to join the band from September 2016.
Engagements for the following 12 months include several high profile concerts, the Welsh League Championships, the Welsh Regional Championships (Championship Section) and the British Open Grand Shield.
Please contact Sarah Jones (Chairperson) in the strictest confidence on 07974 676923.
The new Chairman of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs is Gwendraeth Valley chorister, Ellis Davies from Gorslas.
Mr Davies who is also Chairman of Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr, has been the vice chairman of the Association for the last two years.
The new Vice Chairman is Richard Howells of Bois Goitre Hen a’r Cylch from the Llynfi Valley, who along with Mr. Davies, was elected to serve a three-year term of office at the Association’s AGM in Neath.
Tickets are now on sale for A Night With The Stars, the annual showcase concert of Loud Applause Productions.
It takes place on Saturday 12th November at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, 7.00pm start.
This is a Gala Concert featuring the ever popular soprano Shan Cothi, the world famous Morriston Orpheus Choir, the brilliant young violinist Charlie Lovell Jones and an array of very talented vocalists from Loud Applause Rising Stars.
This is a bilingual evening of first class musical entertainment to suit all tastes - choral, opera, classical musical theatre, jazz.
The host is BBC TV and radio personality Garry Owen and the accompanists for the Rising Stars areAndrew Pike and Rhiannon Williams Hale.
Events calendar
September
Date to be confirmed, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi St Anne’s Cwmffrwd
Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi Thursday 29th Sept – Sunday 2nd October North Wales Tour.
October
Saturday 15th October: Mynydd Mawr Choir and Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi concert in Pontyberem Hall.
November
Llanelli's annual Festival of Light event in aid of Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, 6pm Monday 14th November at the St Elli Shopping Centre.
December
December 17, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Christmas Concert at Ffwrnes (7pm) with special guests The Phil Harmonics.

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