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

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around West Wales) from the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star newspapers -
Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir have something special in store for their fans this Christmas.
Their special treat will be an evening of Elvis Presley classics for their annual Christmas concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, December 17.
“It really will be a Côr Meibion Llanelli concert with a difference,” said choir musical director D Eifion Thomas.
“It all springs from last year’s Christmas concert by Côr Meibion Llanelli, when we performed a special arrangement of Blue Christmas with our friends from the ladies rock and pop choir The Phil Harmonics.
“The audience reaction was great and, for my sins, I suggested to the audience that it would be a great idea to have a whole concert of Elvis Presley classics for 2016.
“So, true to my word, this is what we have put together for the programme for Ffwrnes on December 17.
“Tickets are available at the theatre box office and I am told they are going like hot cakes, so my advice is to get in early and reserve a seat for what promises to be a very unique evening in the history of Côr Meibion Llanelli.
“There will be some other Christmas favourites and traditional Welsh songs in the mix, but the general theme of the evening will focus on the legendary Elvis.
“What is fascinating is the level of interest people still have in Elvis. Porthcawl has the largest Elvis festival outside of the USA and new recordings by the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra underline his timeless appeal.”
The choir has been rehearsing the following Elvis classics – Stuck on you, Heartbreak Hotel, Return to sender, His latest flame, Can’t help falling in love, Good-luck charm, Are you lonesome tonight?, Wooden Heart, American Trilogy, Peace in the valley, Crying in the chapel, Love me tender, It’s now or never, Blue Christmas, Teddy Bear and Blue-suede shoes.
The programme for The Phil Harmonics is likely to include - You were always on my mind, Llipstick on your collar, Stupid cupid, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock and a Christmas medley.
Meanwhile, it’s been a busy time for the ladies of Côr Curiad in Llanelli.
They have been busy with charity bucket collections at Marks and Spencer store in Trostre, raising cash for the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli.
On Thursday, December 1, the choir members have the first of three Carols at the Castle evenings at Stradey Castle. Tickets for the evening on Thursday sold out so quickly that they had to arrange two further nights, which will be on Friday, December 2, and Thursday, December 8.
On Saturday, Côr Curiad will be supporting the local community by entertaining in the St Elli shopping centre for the Reindeer Parade through Llanelli.
Thursday, December 15, sees the ladies at Mynydd Mawr Residential Home and on Saturday, December 17, they will be at Cilymaenllwyd Nursing Home in Pwll.
Over in Burry Port, there’s a Christmas treat being served up in December by the award-winning Burry Port Town Band.
The band’s annual Christmas Gala Concert will take place on Saturday December 10, featuring award winning guests Côr Aelwyd Y Waun Ddyfal and the Burry Port Junior Band.
It will be a relaxed show of Christmas classics, with cabaret-style seating and bar.
Tickets are available from Elgan Jones Butchers and Burry Port Premier Stores.
Alternatively please contact Edmond John on 01554 833749.
Côr Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal is a youth choir from Cardiff.
In 2013, they won the very competitive junior choir competition Côr Ieuenctid Côr Cymru.
They have been successful in several other competitions, including Eisteddfod yr Urdd, the National Eisteddfod and also reached the semi-finals of Côr Cymru in 2009.
The choir was established in 2005 to satisfy the need for more youth organisations in Cardiff and its success is obvious as it has provided a home for both music and socialising.
Back in Llanelli, The Christmas Fantasia is being staged by the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on December 3.
The evening will feature plenty of magic and style, with the international voices of the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus, the symphonic sounds of the British Sinfonietta and friends – all under the magical baton of John Hywel Williams.
There will be Christmas favourites and magical moments from The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.
On December 9, at Ffwrnes, you can catch The Rat Pack at Christmas.
The show features wonderful memories of classic Las Vegas, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior.
The touring live show is now in its 14th year.
Every song is a winner: Come Fly With Me, Volare, That’s Amore, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Sway, Mack The Knife and many more.

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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