Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir will pay a special tribute to one of their favourite composers this week. Choir members held a minute’s silence at their rehearsals on Monday night after they were told of the death of well-known Teesside composer Peter Canwell at the age of 87. The choir had a working relationship with Mr Canwell spanning more than 20 years. On Saturday night, in their Christmas concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, they plan to pay a special tribute to Mr Canwell by performing his ‘A Lovely Christmas Feeling’. Mr Canwell, the retired headmaster of Stokesley Primary School in Middlesborough, is perhaps best known nationally for writing the much-loved school musical Carrots. The Stokesley Primary School Choir was featured on TV singing a carol, written by Mr Canwell, called ‘A Christmas Carol for All of the World’. Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas said: “It is, indeed, sad news regarding Peter’s passing away. “It was a privilege for my fam...

Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir musical director D Eifion Thomas was the special guest on the Down The Bay lunchtime show on Swansea Bay TV today. He was interviewed in both English and Welsh. Both versions are below -

In much the same way as Connacht won the hearts of rugby followers by winning the Pro 12, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir won the acclaim of choral and music lovers when they visited the Emerald Isle last weekend. The choir members made the trip across the Irish Sea for the 5th County Mayo International Choral Festival. They sang in sang in two festival concerts at an event which is growing in international stature year by year. Under the direction of music director D Eifion Thomas, the choir's first concert was at the town of Kiltimagh, where the beautiful Church of the Holy Family was the venue for a religious concert which included The Moy Singers, Knock Junior Choir, The Witness To Hope Choir and The Kiltimagh Parish Choir. The church’s acoustic was an ideal medium to appreciate the warmth and intensity of Côr Meibion Llanelli’s rich tones and musicality as they performed their programme. Particularly emotive was Luigi Picchi's Kyrie Eleison and the culmination of the...

Côr Meibion Llanelli continued their 50th anniversary celebrations with a special concert at Parliament in Westminster, London. The choristers were invited to sing before a select VIP audience by Llanelli MP Nia Griffith. The MP treated the choristers to a tour of Parliament before their concert. The event saw 17-year-old Ysgol y Strade pupil Osian Bowen make his performance debut with the choir. “It was an exceptional evening and an experience worthy of the choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations,” said choir chairman Mel Harries. “The experience of visiting Westminster and being so welcomed by a distinguished audience of peers, MPs and distinguished guests from the London Welsh Society will live long in the memory for choristers.” The choir and their distinguished musical director Eifion Thomas were officially welcomed to Parliament by Nia Griffith and Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith MP. They were formally thanked for their concert by Baroness Jenny Randerson, junior ...

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas conjured up the festive spirit for the choir’s ‘Sing Christmas’ concert staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli. Mr Thomas organised a show which cleverly blended audience participation on a number of Carols and Christmas favourites with choral treats from Côr Meibion Llanelli and their guests, Côr Baroc and Parti Llwchwr. It was a Christmas cracker of an evening, with musical treats galore culminating in a rousing Hallelujah chorus. Mr Thomas went into the choir’s back catalogue to serve up Song Of Hope from the choir’s 1983 album and provided another gem in Trysor y Crud (The treasure of the manger), a song written by the aunt of BBC newsreader Huw Edwards. Bethlehem from the musical Martin Guerre (written by the team behind Les Miserables) was given a good airing, while a further treat was provided by ‘Sut Nadolig bu eleni?’ (What sort of Christmas will it be?), a song written by former chorister Bryn Davies, of Llwynhe...

An exciting £1,000 musical bursary prize – thought to be the biggest of its kind in Wales – will be awarded to a Trimsaran teenager on Saturday night (October 19). Megan Thomas has been picked as the first winner of the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary Scholarship. The prize celebrates the life of Gethin Hughes MBE, who was known as Llanelli’s ‘Mr Music’. Megan joined other bursary prize hopefuls at competition auditions for the prize. “She is a very worthy winner,” said the chairman of the judging panel, Eifion Thomas. Mr Thomas, musical director of Côr Meibion Llanelli and Côr Baroc, said the judges were impressed by the quality of the young musicians and singers who applied for the bursary. He added: “The bursary is being supported by a £1000 cash contribution by the Llanelli-based Jenkins Bakery and we are grateful for their support in helping talented youngsters continue their musical education.” Megan, 19, has just taken her place at the Royal Welsh College of Music an...

Côr Meibion Llanelli were honoured with a visit by three rugby legends at their rehearsal session at Furnace Community Hall in Llanelli. Llanelli rugby heroes Derek Quinnell, Terry Davies and Doug Williams paid a visit as a tribute to the long-standing cooperation between the Scarlets and the choir. The three stalwarts of the Scarlets Former Players’ Association paid tribute to the years of support given by Côr Meibion Llanelli to rugby in Llanelli. “Most recently,” said Mr Quinnell, “the choir members turned out to support the opening of the Scarlets Rugby Heritage Trail and the unveiling of the rugby posts and Phil Bennett icon at Sandy Water Park.” Mr Quinnell presented Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas with a special limited edition Scarlets souvenir plate. The former Llanelli, Wales and British Lions forward added: “It is a small token of our appreciation as former players for the sterling service and support you have given to the game of rugby in Llanelli down...

An exciting £1,000 musical bursary prize will be awarded for the first time this month to honour the man known as Llanelli’s Mr Music, Gethin Hughes MBE. It is the biggest prize of its kind on offer in Wales and the aim is to find the very best young musical talent in Carmarthenshire. The prize is the brainchild of Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas, a close friend of the late Mr Hughes. “Gethin was a great pal and a long-serving accompanist for Cor Meibion Llanelli,” said Mr Thomas. “We travelled the world to concerts and festivals and Gethin was famous the world over for being a real character and a wonderful ambassador for Llanelli. “Gethin made an outstanding contribution to music in Llanelli and in Wales. It is wonderfully fitting that we should honour his memory and celebrate his life with a musical bursary prize. “Gethin cared very much about supporting and promoting youngsters on their musical careers. Hopefully, this new award will go a long way t...

The new 'On Song' column for the Llanelli Star -   It was a case of young and old celebrating at the Centenary Concert staged by Halfway Primary School. The stars of the show were the young singers from Halfway. But they received a helping hand from the older generation, in the shape of Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir). The concert marked a special occasion for Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. He was headmaster of Halfway School until his retirement eight years ago after completing more than 20 years teaching at the school. "It was a great treat and an honour for me to be taking the stage with Côr Meibion Llanelli as I have such very fond memories of my time at Halfway School," said Mr Thomas. The stage was also shared by former Halfway pupil Laura Morris, a soprano who currently works as a music teacher at Penyrheol School, Gorseinon. "It was wonderful to hear Laura singing. She was excellent and her singing was g...

It was a case of young and old celebrating at the Centenary Concert staged by Halfway Primary School. The stars of the show were the young singers from Halfway. But they received a helping hand from the older generation, in the shape of Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir). The concert marked a special occasion for Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. He was headmaster of Halfway School until his retirement eight years ago after completing more than 20 years teaching at the school. "It was a great treat and an honour for me to be taking the stage with Cor Meibion Llanelli as I have such very fond memories of my time at Halfway School," said Mr Thomas. The stage was also shared by former Halfway pupil Laura Morris, a soprano who currently works as a music teacher at Penyrheol School, Gorseinon. "It was wonderful to hear Laura singing. She was excellent and her singing was greatly appreciated by the audience at the main hall of Half...

Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli has seen the world premiere of a new battle hymn for the British and Irish Lions. The hope is the that the track will be a core feature of the forthcoming Lions tour to Australia. Profits from downloads of the track are going to various charities. The song Lions To A Man, to the tune of Men of Harlech, has been written by former soldier Ollie Ward, of Swansea, and has been described as a stirring rendition of one of Wales’ iconic songs. The song, sung by Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir), was officially launched at Parc y Scarlets during the Scarlets versus Edinburgh match on St David’s Day. Pictured above are Peter Williams, of Swansea Metropolitan University (who helped produce the track), rugby legend Phil Bennett, Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas and poet and writer Ollie Ward. Lions To A Man will be available on YouTube on the internet and for downloads on the iTunes and Android platforms on compute...

Cor Meibion Llanelli members are on song and ready for a busy 2013. Weekly rehearsals started back on Monday after the choir staged a hugely successful Christmas concert at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli. Billed as 'Sing Christmas', the evening saw three of Llanelli's major choirs take the stage. Cor Meibion Llanelli were joined by Cor Curiad and Cor Baroc. "It was a wonderful evening, full of passionate singing and with a very traditional theme," said Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. "The large congregation at Tabernacle enjoyed singing 10 traditional carols in Welsh and English. "There was a wonderful festive spirit in the air. It was a change to our usual Christmas concert, but it was greatly appreciated by one and all." Cor Meibion Llanelli and Cor Baroc were conducted by Mr Thomas with Sarah Thomas as accompanist. Cor Curiad were conducted by Alex Esney and accompanied by Jayne Jewell. The guest organist ...

Côr Meibion Llanelli helped raise more than £3000 for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Charity at a special concert in Surrey. The concert was organised by Mary Novell, the sister of the late Alan Nurton, a former chairman of the choir. It was held in the attractive surroundings of St Peter's Church in Hersham. The 350-seat venue was a sell-out. "In fact we could have sold a hundred more tickets, such was the draw of Côr Meibion Llanelli," said Mary. She added that the evening was very emotional. "Nearly all of us will no doubt have been touched by cancer. I have been attending the Royal Marsden for six years now and my eldest brother Alan was sadly taken from us in 1996 by the disease." Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas said that the Llanelli choristers were glad to lend their support to the charity. The evening featured a varied repertoire from Côr Meibion Llanelli, mixed in with Welsh poetry and prose readings. The choir performed - S...

An exciting £1,000 musical bursary prize will be launched next month (September) to honour the man known as Llanelli’s Mr Music, Gethin Hughes MBE. It will be the biggest prize of its kind on offer in Wales and the aim will be to find the very best young musical talent in Llanelli.  The prize is the brainchild of Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas, a close friend of the late Mr Hughes. "Gethin was a great pal and a long-serving accompanist for Cor Meibion Llanelli," said Mr Thomas. "We travelled the world to concerts and festivals and Gethin was famous the world over for being a real character and a wonderful ambassador for Llanelli. "Gethin made an outstanding contribution to music in Llanelli and in Wales. It is wonderfully fitting that we should honour his memory and celebrate his life with a musical bursary prize. "Gethin cared very much about supporting and promoting youngsters on their musical careers. Hopefully, this new awa...

Côr Meibion Llanelli are geared up their biggest test of the year – the main male voice choir competition at the Royal National Eisteddfod. The choir roll of honour includes five previous wins in the National Eisteddfod. This year’s event, the Bro Morgannwg Eisteddfod, takes place at Llandow, near Cowbridge, and will see the choir take the stage on Saturday evening (August 11). “There is a huge amount of work that goes into preparing a choir for the annual National Eisteddfod,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. “The choir members look forward to the competition for months and we spend hours and hours rehearsing the different test pieces which are there to ensure the winning choir can perform to the highest standards. “Competition is always fierce, with a healthy rivalry between the Welsh choirs to take the main male voice title. “In the end, the verdict is given by the adjudicators and there is always a hush as you have to pay attention to every word of thei...

Llanelli's Eifion Thomas was featured in the Western Mail's My Cultural Weekend column yesterday. Here is what he had to say . . .  As any musical director knows, there is a balance between what you would like to happen and what actually happens. So it is with a cultural weekend . . . One Saturday morning you are busy putting together Handel’s Messiah with three choirs - Côr Baroc Llanelli, Llandudno’s Côr Cymysg Dyffryn Conwy and Côr Glandulais from Pontarddulais. The next Saturday, you find you have a free weekend and you wonder what to do with it . . . Weekends are rarely ‘free’. In fact, last night (Friday) I was busy immersing myself in our rich Welsh musical heritage by performing at a Gymanfa Ganu at Grove Place Chapel in Port Talbot. Rest and relaxation on Saturday starts with a stroll around Parc Howard in Llanelli, a short walk from my front door. The historic park mansion house contains a museum which may be Llanelli’s best-kept secret. Check out the harmonium wi...

My interview with Eifion Thomas, musical director of Cor Meibion Llanelli for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind -

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas was the 'interview guest' on the latest edition of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind. If you know of a blind or partially-sighted person who is interested in receiving the fortnightly talking newspaper CD service, then please contact the secretary of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind, Mr John C Williams MBE, 19, Coleshill Terrace, telephone 01554-772350.

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas sang a wonderful solo of Myfanwy at the funeral for choir vice-president Marion Lawson (widow of the late Ernie Lawson, Westwinds, Llethri Road, Felinfoel) at Holy Trinity Church, Felinfoel, Llanelli.

Côr Meibion Llanelli Christmas Concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli. Compere: Chris Needs. Soloist: Joy Cornock . Côr Meibion Llanelli created their very own musical Christmas cracker for their annual Christmas Concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli. It had spark and a whole host of goodies to entertain a full house at Theatr Elli. Pulling the strings as MC was BBC Radio presenter Chris Needs, who brought his own brand of festive fun to the proceedings. Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director D Eifion Thomas put together a varied programme, with the accent firmly on the Christmas theme and plenty of audience participation. As well as the traditional Carols, the audience happily supplied ‘backing’ to White Christmas and the spiritual A-Rockin’ All Night. Soprano Joy Cornock added more sparkle to the evening with solo spots featuring Panis Angelicus, Noel, Little Road to Bethlehem and Ser y Nadolig. Her feature moment, though, came when she teamed up with the choir for a stunning rendition of Verdi’...