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

  THERE’S a big date in the musical calendar coming up for youngsters in Carmarthenshire. The annual Llanelli Rotary Club Young Musician Competition is on Saturday, November 16. The competition is open to all young people up to the age of 17 on August 31, 2024. There are two categories in the competition: solo instrumental and solo vocal. Llanelli Rotary Club president Cerith Owens said the competition provided an annual platform for budding young musicians and singers. He said: “Music is the international language and Great Britain and Ireland is home to some of the most talented young instrumentalists and vocalists in the world. “We celebrate this talent with a sequence of competitions that offer many young people the chance to demonstrate their musical skills, whether classical or modern. “Participants will get the chance to experience performing on a public stage and receive feedback from experienced adjudicators. “The Rotary Young Musician competition is organised over differe...

Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen -  Rambles through tunes with Ceri Rhys Matthews Thursday 2 March 2017, 6.30 -8.30pm Discount tickets for Welsh learners! Join Ceri Rhys Matthews, folk musician, artist and founding member of Welsh group 'Fernhill' for a ramble through welsh folk tunes, reminiscence and songs. In his solo show he creates a patchwork of song, flute, poetry, bagpipe, social history and memory. Not storytelling, but telling stories; not performing, but playing music; not chatting, but sharing histories. Refreshments available. Cost: £8 £5 for Welsh Learners Other concessions available. Booking Essential - call 01267 222775 Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Church Lane, Carmarthen, SA31 1LH

Aberystwyth University’s Welsh Students’ Union UMCA is on a mission to collect the tales of Welsh language bands with strong links to the college. The aim is to create a lasting record of different groups who honed their musical skills during their time as Aber students and made a contribution to the wider Welsh music scene. Some of the musicians who’ve been talking about their experiences are looking back at a career spanning several decades – among them, Linda Griffiths (Plethyn, 1976) and Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan (Cerrig Melys, 1989). Others such as Gruff Lynch (Yr Ods, 2007), Lewis White (Yr Eira, 2013) and Iolo Jones (Ysgol Sul, 2015) have more recent memories to share. UMCA President and Welsh Affairs officer for Aberystwyth University’s Students Union, Rhun Dafydd, is behind the project: "The aim is to show Aberystwyth’s huge contribution to the Welsh music scene and the way in which UMCA has been able to offer a platform to a range of early career bands.” “The town itself ...

Latest news from the team at Brecon Jazz Club supplied by Lynne Gornall - Hello everyone SPECIAL GUESTS ! Tuesday 11 October 8pm Brecon Jazz Club (8pm start / £8 club members) @ The MUSE Arts Centre Here is the news.... as well as having two of the 'Amigos' (guitar, bass) and a special visitor Jean Guyomarc'h (guitar) from France, we will also have a very special guest. International musician/composer Huw Warren will be joining us for the evening, on accordion, to give that very special 'club' atmosphere. Not to be missed. Full lineup below. Many of you have already booked tickets, we are delighted to welcome you on the door, but please consider pre-booking at http://breconjazz.club/wp/tickets FOOD / SUPPER £8 at Ty Helyg from 6.30 pm please book places and say if you are veggie or gluten free (etc). MENU: >beef bolognaise dish with jacket potato, salad and bread. With veggie mince for veggies - please advise. Orange juice. Followed by Eves Pudding and custard ...

July events at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the picturesque Tywi Valley - Live Music in the Pool Garden with The Swing Boys Friday 3rd July ~ gates open at 6.30pm with live music from 7pm The Swing Boys are a six piece swing jazz band echoing the jazz music from the 1940's/50's. Look forward to classic numbers such as Chattanooga Choo Choo, All of Me and St Louis Blues. Latin numbers such as Black Orpheus and The Girl from Ipanema will have you on your feet and dancing the evening away. Tickets will be available on the gate - £10 per person (£8 for Aberglasney Members). Bring a picnic or book a table on the terrace and Maryellen's Tearooms will take care of your supper - call them direct 01558 668996. RHS Thalictrum Trial Event Tuesday 7th July ~ 1.15pm - 4pm Starting in the Mansion An event to celebrate the RHS Thalictrum Trial at Aberglasney 13.15 Introduction 13.30 Talk 1: Award winning gardening journalist Val Bourne 14.00 Talk 2: RHS Chelsea ...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - It’s always a pleasure to the shine the spotlight on a ‘local lad’ making it big in the world of opera. This week, the spotlight shines on Pembrey baritone Gary Griffiths, who is currently making his mark with Opera di Firenze in Florence, Italy. The 32-year-old is playing the part of Maximilian in Candide, the operetta with music composed by Leonard Bernstein, based on the novella of the same name by Voltaire. It’s going to be a busy year for Gary; in July, he will be back in the UK playing the role of Malatesta in Don Pasquale with Longborough festival Opera at Moreton-in-Marsh. The winner of the Welsh Singers Competition in 2012, Gary was a finalist representing Wales in the 2013 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where in 2009 he won the prestigious Gold Medal Competition. At the Welsh National Opera, where he began as an A...

Wales’s leading chamber orchestra Sinfonia Cymru will be teaming up with one of the UK’s foremost specialists in Baroque music for a tour to three venues across South Wales this month. Guest Director and violinist Rachel Podger will join the orchestra for performances of music by Bach, Purcell, Vivaldi and Telemann at The Ffwrnes, Llanelli (Friday 29 May), The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Saturday 30 May) and The Riverfront, Newport (Sunday 31 May). The all-baroque programme is a new venture for the orchestra and as General Manager Sophie Lewis says, “we could not have asked for a better person to direct us through the music of the period than Rachel. The breadth and depth of her understanding is unrivalled and that is why working with her will be such an inspiration for our players.” As well as establishing the hugely popular annual Brecon Baroque Festival, Rachel Podger has also garnered critical acclaim for her recordings of baroque masterpieces with particular p...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llaneli) from the Llanelli Star - There’s another special concert coming up in Kidwelly as part of the 900-year celebrations for the founding of Kidwelly. There may not be much in the way of ‘song’, but there will be plenty for lovers of good music. On February 21 at 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly, the brass section of the Royal Welsh College of Music, Cardiff, will be performing. This outstanding group of musicians will play a wide variety of music from Glen Miller to Handel and Purcell. Tickets will be available on the door and from the Council offices, mornings only, Tel. 0154 891104. E-mail towncouncil@kidwelly.gov.uk Local residents can buy from Cydweli 900 committee members On Saturday 14 February, the Hywel girls and boys choirs and friends will present “The Love of Music” – a beautiful candlelit night of music and song at St. Mary’s Church, Kidwelly. With the choir currently enjoying a batch of new re...

Latest news from Brecon Jazz Club - Please make a diary marker for the jazz club evening in February - Tues 24 February - GARDENIA SWING with HEINZ HUNT Special guest Heinz Hunt on saxes, Ruth Bowen on double bass and vocals with guitarist Alan Johnson and Richard Bowen on drums. Starts 8pm, £6 on the door @ Brecon Jazz Bar, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon LD3 7EW Box office contact (daytime) 01874 611622 Pre gig supper - continuing our gastronomic tour of Brecon, in Feb, we will be hosted for our buffet at the Clarence Inn, £8 per person from 6.15pm on. Menu: veggie sausages or cold meats or salmon, with salads, half jacket, glass juice & a slice of cake - sounds good! See you there, thanks for your support to this volunteer team of organisers & promoters for Brecon Jazz Club! Lynne Gornall lynne@phonecoop.coop

Pupils of piano teacher Mags Lawson entertained their families and friends at a morning of music at the Red Dragon Hall in Drefach Felindre. Also performing were three members of the Bristow family,Thorin, Erin and Jenna. A good time was had by all and the proceeds from the raffle are going to Gwellian Ward, Glangwili Hospital. Many thanks to everyone involved for their hard work and support. Hywel Dda Health Charities is a registered charity established to support the work of Hywel Dda University Health Board. The charity uses donations received from patients, their families and local communities to improve services for the benefit of the thousands of people cared for each year in our local communities. For more information visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk  

Latest news from the Span Arts team in Narberth -  Music, Comedy and Theatre, there is something for everyone this October! Brighten up your month with music and laughter... For tickets or more information on any of these events please click on the relevant photos, or visit the Span Arts website . You can also call the Box Office on 01834 869323 Span Arts Classical series is continuing with Icaris Duo - Thursday 2nd OctoberSet in the elegant Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Span Arts classical Series continues with a selection of music from Debussy, Rodrigo, Euguene Bozza, welsh folk songs and much more. Icaris Duo will be supported on the night by Squidge Squires. Enjoy alongside a delicious meal from 6pm onwards, prepared by Plas Hyfryd’s chef (advance booking essential). SpanJazz: Michael Coates with The John Gibbon Trio - Wednesday 15 OctoberSpan Jazz is back for another soul-filled evening, this time The John Gibbon trio are performing with featured Canadian musician Michael C...

Latest news from the Span Arts team in Narberth -  Comedy, Classical & Beatboxing, there's a lot on this September! Brighten up your month with music and laughter...For tickets or more information on any of these events please click on the relevant photos, or visit the Span Arts website . You can also call the Box Office on 01834 869323 Span Classical series is back starting with Jessica Robinson - Thursday 4th September The renewal of the Classical series, Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson is the first to perform. Pembrokeshire's own Jessica is a true talent, counting HRH The Prince of Wales within her fan base. Singing Workshop - Wednesday 10th September Sing your heart out -Span Arts singing workshop is back for another month with the wonderful Clara Clay. Great for socialising and having fun. All welcome.  Comedy Club: Andrew Bird, Stephen Carlin and Meryl O'Rourke - 11th SpetemberComedy Club can brighten the most dreary of Autumn evenings. The perfect n...

There was a memorable musical summer soiree staged at Llanelly House - possibly the biggest social occasion held at the historic mansion for more than 150 years. The event was staged by Sue Roberts, one of the trustees of Llanelly House, and her husband Peter. It marked something of a first for Llanelly House, with characters from the building's history 'coming to life' for the occasion. It was also an opportunity for guests at the soiree to tour the house and view the new interactive digital features which have been installed in Llanelly House. The music for the occasion was organised by Cerith Owens, the director of Llanelli-based Loud Applause Productions. The soloists for the evening were Jordan Williams, Keely Morgan, violinist Simmy Singh and harpist Ffion Elin Williams. With the staircase of the Great Hallway at Llanelly House as their stage, the musical entertainment provided an elegant accompaniment to a unique social occasion, which also feature...

With the sun blazing and the countdown on to the start of Jazz@Llandeilo 2014, the town is gearing up for what will be the third annual jazz festival (July 4-6). With two main venues - the Angel Hotel and the new outdoor arena at the rear of the White Horse Inn - the festival is set to attract jazz lovers from all over Wales. Continuing the international theme of previous years, the festival will feature traditional New Orleans style jazz from the French band Zauto Stompers. Returning for the third year will be Cardiff singing legend Li Harding and her trio. This year The Jiveoholics are back following their debut in 2012, along with 20 other bands, and more than 70 performers from all over Wales. This year, there is a greater emphasis on providing opportunities for local musicians to play on the village green and for buskers to come and play in the side streets of town. Festival organiser Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, said: “Whatever the...

Latest news from the Span Arts team in Narberth -  It's all going on in May! From an young, award-winning cellist to an acclaimed London jazz musician, new member trips to the arts and big, stomping 'Bristol bass' parties, we've got something for everyone this month, and it's the 21st anniversary of the BIG Plant Sale! Head to our website  to get more info or book tickets -  http://www.span-arts.org.uk Luke Millard (Cellist) Thursday 1 May The last in this series of Classical evenings, award winning Cellist Luke Millard performs at Hotel Plas Hyfryd. Comedy Club: Simon Bligh, Kiri Pritchard McLean and Toby Hadoke Thursday 8 May A Liverpudlian, a Welsh girl and a 'comedy genius'! Candlelit cabaret dining makes for a top-notch evening. Span Jazz: Philip Clouts Quartet Wednesday 21 May Pianist and composer Philip Clouts leads his band in an evening of multicultural jazz at the cosy Dingle Club in Narberth. The Ugly Duckling Monday ...

Llanelli-based concert and events promoter Cerith Owens has released details of his 2014 events programme. Mr Owens is the man behind Loud Applause Productions. "Our main aim with Loud Applause Productions is to fund-raise for charities and help organisations achieve success with their musical ventures," said Mr Owens. Events include - 22nd March, 7pm Llandybie Memorial Hall In aid of Fight for Sight Gary Griffiths Côr Merched Tybie Côr Meibion Dyffryn Aman Tickets: £8 unreserved Available: South Wales Guardian Office or 01269 593618 Sat 3rd May, 7pm Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli In aid of new Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Machine at Prince Philip Hospital Pendyrus Male Choir Lleisiau’r Cwm Samuel Morris, Rev David Jones (host) Tickets: £10 unreserved Available: Carmarthenshire Theatres Box Office 21st June, 7.30pm Swansea Grand Theatre In aid of Ty Hafan Only Boys Aloud Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers Ariosa Singers Daniella Difede Samuel...