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

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

The wonderful ladies of Côr Curiad have an exciting 2017 planned.
The highlight will be the September 2 concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, with The Overtones.
The night will conclude Côr Curiad’s two-year fundraising efforts for Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli.
The choristers set themselves a £20,000 target.
The target has already been met, so Côr Curiad’s members are looking forward to smashing the figure and handing the final cheque over on a special night!
The Overtones are a five-piece vocal harmony group - Darren, Mark, Timmy, Mike and Lachie.
They were discovered by a Warner Bros Records talent scout while working as decorators in a shop near Oxford Street, singing during their tea break.
Their debut album, Good Ol’ Fashioned Love entered the UK Albums Chart at No16 in November 2010. However, after the re-release of the album in March 2011, it propelled to No4. They have sold in excess of 500,000 copies of their first album.
The line-up is as follows -
Timothy Thomas ‘Timmy’ Matley is from Cork, Ireland. He was born on 16 February 1982. Timmy got into performing arts at the age of 14, and at 16 years old he came to London to audition for a performing arts school. Timmy left Ireland when he was 17, as he didn't enjoy college. He went travelling and then came back and decided to get involved with songwriting and singing. He is the lead singer of the band, and sometimes joins the middle harmonies of the band. He loves meerkats and knits in his spare time.
Mark Robert Franks comes from Sale, Greater Manchester, and was born on 9 May 1977. He attended the Royal Ballet School from age 11 to 16. He was a professional dancer for 10 years before joining The Overtones. Mark has a passion for remixing music, and has released some of his fabulous 1980s remixes under his "DJ Rescue Rangerz" name on Soundcloud. He is very keen on all things 1980s and is a big Back To The Future fan. His favourite shop is Topman. Mark enjoys mixing modern clothing with vintage to create his own style. He sings the middle harmony sections in their songs.
Lachlan Alexander ‘Lachie’ Chapman was born 7 February 1981, and comes from Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He left Australia on his 25th birthday, and came to England in the hope of becoming an actor. He is the bass singer. Lachie would love to perform at Carnegie Hall. Back in Australia he has a dog called Matilda. In early 2016, Lachie appeared in the Channel 4 comedy series Crashing.
Michael ‘Mike’ Crawshaw was born on 12 February 1980 and comes from Bristol. From an early age, Mike wanted to go into football and athletics, and enjoyed family holidays to Cornwall. He got into singing when at college and sings the middle harmonies of the groups. His favourite song is Superstition by Stevie Wonder.
Darren ‘Daz’ Everest is the Essex boy of the band. He was born on 30 May 1981. Originally, he wanted to go into football, but had to stop when getting ill with glandular fever, so went into singing, after he discovered his love for it. Darren is the falsetto voice of the band. He got his ears pierced when he was 18 years old and owns around 64 ties and bowties. He married his longtime girlfriend Bianka on 20 September 2014.
Côr Curiad is a ladies choir based in Llanelli. The aim of the choir is to promote the Welsh language and culture of choral singing. While the majority of our members are bilingual, they have an open door policy and Welsh learners and non-Welsh speakers are very welcome.
Since its beginings in 1995, the choir has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
The choir has performed in Bath, St. David’s and Wells Cathedrals, the Millennium Theatre in Cardiff and the new Welsh Assembly Government Building in Cardiff Bay.
Côr Curiad is led Alex Esney-Davies.
The choir’s biggest achievement to date was in 2012, when, with the support of Rhydian Roberts (TV’s X Factor), a sell-out concert raised £16,500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
There are currently around 30 members, with an age range from 14 – 80-plus. There are several sets of mothers and daughters, sisters and even a set of twins in the line-up.
The ladies rehearse between 6.45 pm and 9pm every Thursday evening.
The rehearsal venue is at the school room at Hall Street Church, West End, Llanelli.
Other Côr Curiad dates are as follows –
March 1, in Llanelli town centre precinct to celebrate St David’s Day 10.30am. Then outside Boots 12pm, then Ffos Las racecourse at 2pm.
March 3, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, business awards hosted by the Evening Post.
March 17, quiz night for Ty Bryngwyn in The White Lion, Llanelli.
September 9, concert in Glenalla Hall for Llanelli Town Council.
October 6 and 7, performing in Tamworth with new mixed choir.
Another fine ladies choir has sent in news of their activities . . .
Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm had a very busy 2016 and their members are looking forward to an equally busy 2017.
Musical director Catrin Hughes has sent in a special 2016-2017 review.
It is in Welsh and included below, but it includes news of how the choir raised more than £7,000 for the Breast Unit at Prince Phillip Hospital, Zac Griffiths from Tycroes, Colon treatment at Morriston Hospital and the Wales Kidney Association.
Catrin also explains how the famous Welsh composer Robat Arwyn and poet Tudur Dylan Jones have composed a new song for the choir, to compose a song for the choir, ‘Lleisiau mewn Cynghanedd’.
Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm performed the song for the first time on January 13 at the Tinopolis studio in Llanelli.
Here is Catrin’s review of the year –
2016- Dyma oedd blwyddyn arbennig i ni, Côr Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm o Ddyffryn Aman.
Dechrau’r dathlu ym mis Ionawr mewn Cinio a Dawns yn Ngwesty Parc y Strade gyda Cantata, 'Fat Barry's Soul Band' ac ocsiwn yng nghwmni Robert Lloyd, penwythnos yn Llundain ac i Gymanfa Ganu Capel Jewin o dan arweinyddiaeth Catrin Hughes, a chyhoeddi ein calendr Miri'r Misoedd ym mis Mai, cyngerdd mawreddog yn Theatr y Ffwrnes a rhannu llwyfan gyda Band Pres Porth Tywyn ym mis Gorffennaf, cystadlu yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Fenni ym mis Awst, cyngerdd gyda Côr Orpheus Treforus, recordio ar gyfer Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol yn Eglwys yr Holl Saint Rhydaman a chanu cyn gêm Cymru a Japan yn Stadiwm y Principality ym mis Hydref, Ffair Nadolig yn neuadd y Pensiynwyr Rhydaman, cyngerdd yn Ystradgynlais, a diweddu'r flwyddyn yn perfformio mewn priodas yn Eglwys y Santes Fair Cydweli ar ddiwedd Rhagfyr.
Ie yn wir, blwyddyn i'w chofio ac edrychwn yn ôl arni gyda gwen a chyda balchder.
Yn ogystal â'r chwerthin a'r cymdeithasu mae’r côr wedi codi dros £7,000 i Uned y Fron Ysbyty Tywysog Phillip, Zac Griffiths o Dy-Croes, ward y Colon Ysbyty Treforus, a Chymdeithas Aren Cymru.
Comisiynwyd Robat Arwyn a Tudur Dylan Jones i gyfansoddi cân ar gyfer y dathlu- 'Lleisiau mewn Cynghanedd'.
Dyma bartneriaeth benigamp.
Perfformiwyd y gân am y tro cyntaf yn stiwdio Tinopolis ar Ionawr 13eg. Diolch i chi oll ac un am eich cefnogaeth yn ystod yr ugain mlynedd diwethaf a gobeithio y dowch ar daith gyffrous arall gyda ni yn 2017.

In other news, the ladies from Parti Llwchwr wil be performing ‘across the bridge’ in Swansea on St David’s Day.
Details: Your way to celebrate St. David's Day with Dunvant male Choir, Parti Llwchwr and Nia Jenkins (Harp) in the lovely acoustic of All Saints Church. Concert starts at 7 pm, Unreserved tickets at £10 available from Choir: Alan Walters Tel. 401005 or from Church: Anne Neumann Tel. 466885.
And, in other St David’s Day news, there will be a ‘Cawl a Chan’ at Narberth RFC at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 1, featuring Whitland Male Choir and guests.
West Wales singing duo Aled Edwards and Eleri Owen Edwards will be appearing at Dunvant RFC's Welsh night, ‘Cawl ,Caws and Cockles’ on Sunday March 12th.
And, on February 26 at Capel Newydd, Llandeilo, there will be a St David’s Day concert featuring mezzo-soprano Ffion Haf.
Ffion is a winner of the David Ellis Memorial Prize, the Blue Riband, at the 2015 National Eisteddfod at Montgomeryshire and the Marches.
Also appearing will be Bois y Castell male voice choir and the choirs of the town's primary schools, Ysgol Gymraeg Teilo Sant and Llandeilo Primary School.
In Llanelli, the big concert is the St David’s Celebration Concert on Saturday, March 11 at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
The event will be a Loud Applause production on behalf of Theatrau Sir Gar, Carmarthenshire Theatres.
It will feature combined male voice choirs from across West Wales, under the direction of guest conductor Alwyn Humphreys MBE.
As is customary at these events, Mr Owens likes to introduce a young up-and-coming singer to a wider audience.
This year, it will be the turn of 20-year-old Osian Wyn Bowen from Burry Port.
Osian is currently a student at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Tenor Osian has performed at a number of venues including St. David’s Hall, Wales Millennium Centre and Buckingham Palace.
Televised appearances include S4C Heno; Les Miserables – Y Daith; Cyngerdd y 10 Tenor and BBC’s Songs of Praise. Osian is also a patron for Welsh Hearts.
Mr Owens said: “We have a very exciting and inspiring line-up for the concert, which is being held at Ffwrnes on Saturday, March 11.
“Our star attraction will be the exceptional soprano Elin Manahan Thomas.
“It will be an evening with a Welsh theme reflecting the celebrations of our patron saint’s day and the concert promises to have something for everyone.”
Guest Conductor Dr Alwyn Humphreys is well-known throughout Wales for his work as a TV presenter and conductor. He is Principal Guest Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Wales and Conductor Emeritus of the Morriston Orpheus Choir.
The choirs taking part are Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr; Côr Meibion Dyffryn Aman; Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi; Côr Meibion Porth Tywyn (Burry Port).
Other future events in West Wales include –
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - Carmarthen Youth Opera. Musical - 22 Feb, 23 Feb, 24 Feb, 25 Feb at The Lyric. CDYO are proud to present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's masterpiece Jesus Christ Superstar. One of the best musicals of all times this production will be a rock spectacular and celebrate a new generation of young and aspiring talent, it promises to be the 'must see' show of 2017.
SEMELE OPERA - Mid Wales Opera. Opera - 23 Feb at The Ffwrnes. First performed during Lent 1744 at Covent Garden, Handel’s Semele instantly caused a stir. The production used Congreve’s libretto based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses bringing to life Semele’s ill-fated love for Jupiter King of the Gods. Undoubtedly one of the jewels of baroque opera, it features the stunning tenor aria “Where’er you walk” and Semele’s breathtaking “Endless pleasure, endless love”.
COMPANY - Llanelli Stage Company. Musical - 23 Feb, 24 Feb, 25 Feb at Ffwrnes - Stiwdio Stepni. A breakthrough Broadway musical in 1970. COMPANY remains fresh, acerbic and original today. The themes – marriage and commitment, friendship and loneliness – and its innovations in form, mark it as a landmark in American musical theatre; considered by many to have inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. You can't fail to be dazzled by Sondheim's score – original, pulsating and breathtaking.
THE WIZARD OF OZ - SA15 Stage School. Musical - 2 Mar, 3 Mar, 4 Mar, 5 Mar, 7 Mar, 8 Mar, 9 Mar, 10 Mar at The Ffwrnes. Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.
CHAMBER PHILHARMONIC EUROPE POWERFUL EMOTIONS TOUR 2017 - Kammerphilharmonie Europa. Classical Music - 22 Mar at The Ffwrnes. Chamber Philharmonic Europe with award-winning soloist C. Gussaroff –Trumpet bring an evening of versatilesounds and a repertoire that will lead you through an intricate mix of emotions with their high quality artisitic and enriching classical music and experiences from the world renowned established orchestra that will leave you moved and energized equally.

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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