There’s a splendid concert coming up next month (October) featuring the much-acclaimed Tywi Valley musical duo, the husband and wife team of Aled Edwards and Eleri Owen Edwards.
What’s described as a ‘late summer concert’ is a popular tradition of Cantorion Llandeilo Singers and raises funds to finance the choir’s choral events during the rest of the year.
The concert is at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Llandeilo, on Saturday, October 6, with curtain-up at 7pm.
Cantorion Llandeilo Singers raise money for local charities through sponsorship and ticket sales. This year, the choir’s chosen charity is Tenovus.
The ticket price of £12 includes a finger buffet.
There will also be a licensed wine bar and a raffle.
Tickets are available from Peppercorn in King Street, Llandeilo, at the door, or by phoning 01558 685542.
You can expect to hear ‘Ar Lan y Môr’, ’Dim ond Ti’, ‘I’ll Walk Beside You’, ‘I Got Rhythm’ and ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’.
There will be selections from Bernstein and Robat Arwyn from the Cantorion Llandeilo Singers and solos from three up-and-coming young singers who have received their musical education at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr.
Aled Edwards and Eleri Owen Edwards are well-loved Welsh international singing celebrities who have a farm at Cilycwm.
Aled and Eleri have a CD of uplifting and inspirational duets, “Dau fel ni” (Two like us).
The mezzo-soprano and baritone are both Blue Riband (David Ellis Memorial Prize) National Eisteddfod winners.
Aled triumphed at the National Eistedddfod held at Bala in 1997 and Eleri in 2013 at the National Eisteddfod at Denbigh.
They are the only married couple to have both gained the coveted Blue Riband.
Meanwhile, a Llanelli hospital choir, set up to celebrate the NHS 70th anniversary, is launching a campaign to find their next Musical Director.
The “Hospital Notes” choir was originally set up ahead of the anniversary celebrations in July, with members practising in their lunchtimes in hospital corridors and outside when the weather permitted.
All staff at Prince Philip Hospital were encouraged to take part with attendance from nurses,
domestic staff, consultant doctors, managers, associated professional support staff, laboratory staff, secretaries and even the chair of the Hywel Dda Health Board.
Sadly, due to other commitments the musical director who led the choir on the day is unable to continue in the role and Hospital Notes is now looking for a dynamic, modern, enthusiastic musical director to share their journey, principles and camaraderie
The 70th anniversary celebration day saw the choir performing renditions of “I will Follow Him”, “The Rose”, “Stand by Me”, “Let it Be”, “This is Me” and a particularly emotional rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You”.
Since July, the Hospital Notes choir have been looking forward to singing again, with offers to sing at Thanksgiving events, Charity Balls, Christmas concerts.
The choir has also been asked to perform at a Nursing conference in Cardiff next year and in a 30th anniversary celebration of Prince Philip Hospital in 2020.
Anyone who is interested in taking up the role of Musical Director should contact Gemma Brown at: hospitalnotes@outlook.com
As mentioned in previous columns, the popular Voskresenije (Resurrection) Choir of St Petersburg are on their way to West Wales.
They will be performing at St Mary’s Church in Kidwelly on Wednesday, October 10 (7pm).
This is the choir’s second visit to the area.
The choir is a Russian ‘a cappella’ ensemble of eight singers (two sopranos, two altos, countertenor, tenor, bass and basso profondo). The conductor is Jurij Maruk.
Resurrection was founded by Jurij Maruk in 1993.
The repertoire of the ensemble includes Russian Sacred Music as well as folk music.
Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi Male Voice choir members are looking forward to events over the next few weeks.
On Sunday, September 30 (7pm), Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi will be staging a special concert at St Maelog’s Church in Llandyfaelog.
The choir will perform alongside a guest choir from Cornwall, the Tamar Valley Male Choir.
Other guest artists include soprano Llio Evans, with guest accompanist Kim Lloyd Jones.
Guest singer Llio Evans hails from the famous village on the island of Anglesey,
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
With her sparkling vocal tone and charming stage presence, Llio particularly revels in coquettish and comic roles.
Recent highlights include Iris (Semele) for Garsington Opera, The Little One in the revival of Music Theatre Wales’ critically-acclaimed production of The Golden Dragon (Eötvös) and her English National Opera debut as Celia in Iolanthe.
The President for the Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi evening will be Tinopolis TV company boss and founder Ron Jones.
Tickets are £7 and are available from telephone number 01269860996.
Proceeds from the evening will go towards St Maelog Church and the chemotherapy unit at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.
On Saturday, October 13, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi will join Carmarthen Male Voice Choir for their 60th anniversary celebration concert at the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen.
On Saturday, September 29, Crwbin Silver Band will be performing at a Gala Concert at Salem Chapel, Llangennech with BBC Radio Cymru’s Beti George, Lleisiau’r Llan Ladies Choir, Côr Ysgol y Strade and soloist Ffion Haf Jones.
Crwbin Silver Band will be performing at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne as part of the “Big Bands, Brass Bands and Concert Band Bonanza” on Sunday, September 30 from 11am to 1pm.
On Saturday, October 20, at 3pm, Crwbin Silver Band will be taking part in a Parade and Service in Llanarthne for the statue unveiling of World War Two hero DT Davies.
In other news, Côr Meibion Dinefwr Male Voice Choir will be holding their annual concert at Capel Newydd, Llandeilo, on Saturday, October 27 (7.30pm).
The special guests will be Côr Meibion Llandybie Male Voice Choir.
The conductor will be John Williams, the accompanist will be Sara Morgan and the chairman for the evening will be Eifion Davies.
Other special guests include tenor Osian Wyn Bowen, soloist Martha Harries and accompanist Gareth Wyn Thomas.
Admission is £8 and £3 for children and students.
Proceeds will go towards the choir’s funds.
On Saturday, October 13, there’s a special concert at Pontyberem Memorial Hall (7.30pm).
Sinfonia Cymru and and soloist Caroline Pether will breathe new life into well-known classics.
The concert will feature Eric Whitacre’s October Suite, Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Op. 40, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
Sinfonia Cymru will be back in Pontyberem on Friday, March 8 (7.30pm) with a concert featuring cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
The concert programme includes – CPE Bach Symphony 1 in D major H663; Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major; Ives Unanswered Question; Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Op. 21.
The conductor for Sinfonia Cymru will be Jonathan Bloxham.
In October, one of Carmarthenshire’s finest will be returning ‘home’ for two special concerts.
John Owen-Jones is a Burry Port boy who has gone on to be an award-winning West End and Broadway star.
He will play Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Wednesday, October 3 and the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, on Sunday, October 7.
John has played the lead role in The Phantom Of The Opera more than any other West End actor.
He was the youngest actor to ever play Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.
He will release his brand new album, called Spotlight, in the autumn.
In October, Carmarthen will also see another big name singer roll into town.
Russell Watson will be performing his new show, Canzoni d’Amore, at the Lyric on October 19.
Having sold more than seven million albums worldwide, Russell Watson is firmly established as the UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time.
To date, his illustrious career has included performances for Her Majesty The Queen, The Pope and two US Presidents.
Russell is widely regarded as “The People’s Tenor”. Captivating to watch and enchanting to listen to, Russell Watson continues to wow audiences with his enigmatic and entertaining live performances.
The New York Times said of Russell Watson, “He sings like Pavarotti, and entertains the audience like Sinatra”.
Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir members are looking forward to Christmas.
‘Christmas With The Choir’ will be held at 7pm on Saturday, December 1, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
The choir’s special guests will be Burry Port Town Band and the St John Lloyd School Choir.
The West End at Christmas
Also in December, The West End At Christmas returns to The Lyric theatre with their brand new concert for 2018!
Stars from the West End present a magical evening of entertainment featuring hits from the musicals and the best of Christmas songs.
The talented cast have starred in many West End productions and national tours including Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, South Pacific, Singing in the Rain, Starlight Express, Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked, Godspell, Joseph and Cats . . . to name but a few!
The West End At Christmas will at The Lyric on December 18.
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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