Young choristers to shine at London's Royal Albert Hall

Llanelli’s leading young choristers will later this year join a celebrity line when they perform at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
The Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers – under the direction of their magical maestro John Hywel Williams – will be part of a celebrity line up at the Royal Albert Hall for the acclaimed Salvation Army Christmas Celebrity Performance in November.

The traditional sell-out event with a 5,000-strong audience, will see the Hywel Choir join forces with singer Cerys Matthews and other celebrities along with the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band and Chorus.

In their planned performance, the Hywel choirs will be performing O Holy Night, a song they will also be recording and releasing for Christmas.
Llanelli’s star choristers have a prestigious yet whirlwind November planned which will see them perform at the Royal Albert Hall, a return performance to St David’s Hall Cardiff for the Wales Festival of Remembrance, performing for the British Legion’s Remembrance Festival at the Brangwyn Hall Swansea and a CD-launch performance with baritone Gary Griffiths and Pontarddulais Male Choir.
“It’s wonderful to return and perform in these wonderful venues again”, explains conductor John Hywel Williams.

“The choir’s vision is to give the choristers wonderful experiences in song and performance. These experiences will stay with the choristers for a lifetime.”
Other exciting performances lined up include the Last Night of the Proms with the British Sinfonietta Orchestra, Morriston Orpheus Choir, Llanelli Choral Society and tenor Aled Hall in May, while in June the choir will perform at the Yehudi Menuhin Concert Hall and at the Grand Theatre Swansea with Only Boys Aloud.

The choir are also preparing a full WW1 costume and song tribute to mark the centenary of world war one which they will be performing at concert venues in England and Wales across the year.

“MY BIG YEAR OF SONG”

Eight-year old Carys Lloyd of Ysgol Dewi Sant, one of the youngest members of the Hywel Choir. Carys shares her excitement about being a member of the choir and singing in world class venues this year.
How long have you been with the choir?“I’ve been with the choir for 18 months. I’ve have always loved singing and was excited by the chance to sing and perform in a choir.”
Where have you performed?“I’ve sung in some great places – Cardiff’s Saint David Hall twice in the last three months, Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall and at six times at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes.”
What was your favourite concert?“They have all been great, but the Lesley Garrett concert in Llanelli last year was one my favourites. She was so lovely to meet.”
What do you enjoy about the choir? “Learning so many new and different songs and then being able to perform them at concerts in front of my family and friends. I have also made lots of new friends since joining the choir.”
You’ve performed with the choir on different television programmes and also live concerts. Which do you prefer?“I much prefer giving concerts to a live audience, especially when there are members of my family there.”
Carys’ Mother, Joanne Lloyd, is a very proud Mum indeed.How do you feel Carys has benefited from the choir?“She has always loved singing, but was often nervous singing in public. Performing with the choir has given her a huge amount of confidence.”
How do you feel when you are in the audience watching and listening the Carys and the choir?“Extremely proud. I love watching Carys enjoy doing something she loves.”
What concerts are you looking forward to?“The Last Night of the Proms in Llanelli. I went last year and it was an amazing night! I also can’t wait to go to the choir’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall – one of the world’s great venues. It’s been at the top of my wish list to see a concert there. To watch a Carys performing there will make it extra special!”