The world-renowned Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir are looking for a new musical director.
The successful candidate will have to follow in the footsteps of Alex Esney, who was the first woman to take on the role.
Alex has decided to relinquish the role to concentrate on her other duties as musical director of Llanelli-based ladies choir Côr Curiad.
Choir chairman Wynford Harries said: “Alex has done an excellent job for Côr Meibion Llanelli and we are sorry to see her leave, but we appreciate she is a very busy musician already much in demand.
“Alex helped guide us through the difficult coronavirus pandemic lockdown period and we will always be grateful for the hard work and professional she showed in carrying out her duties for the male choir.”
Mr Harries added: “Now we enter another phase in the choir’s long history. Côr Meibion Llanelli was formed back in 1964 and has a long and award-winning history of performing around the globe.
“The role of musical director is a challenging one, so we are now busy looking for a talented musician to help write the next chapter in the choir’s history.”
Côr Meibion Llanelli was formed in the village of Bynea under the baton of the late Denver Phillips BA. in 1964.
The choir’s longest-serving music director was D Eifion Thomas.
They have been successful at all the major choral competitions that Wales has to offer.
The honours list includes five National Eisteddfod first prizes – at Lampeter in 1984, Fishguard in 1986, Llandeilo in 1996, Bridgend in 1998 and Llanelli in 2000.
The roll-call of wins also records seven firsts at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, six firsts at Cardigan and three Pontrhydfendigaid “Eisteddfodau”.
The choir was successful in winning the Corwen Choral Competition at its first attempt in 1987.
The Llanelli Male Choir has graced many leading auditoriums and concert halls in the land – London’s Royal Albert Hall and Festival Hall, Birmingham’s Town and Symphony Halls, Oxford Town Hall, Plymouth’s Guild Hall, The MacRoberts Centre at Stirling, as well as Cardiff’s St David’s Hall and Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.
Cathedrals have also featured high on the choir’s touring list – Coventry, Bury St Edmunds, Wells, Brecon, Gloucester, St David’s and Llandaff cathedrals have been concert venues, as well as Westminster Abbey.
The choir has travelled extensively throughout the world – Germany, Canada, USA. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.
The choristers have thousands of pounds for charities such as Cancer and Leukaemia Research, The Red Cross, Heart Foundation and Tenovus as well as local charities and school groups.
The choir rehearses weekly on Monday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.
Jane Jewell, widely known throughout south Wales as an accomplished pianist, has also moved on to concentrate on other duties, together with Stephen Hopkins, the deputy musical director.
Choir chairman Mr Harries said: “Jane and Stephen have made valuable contributions to the success of the choir and we are grateful for their hard work. But we appreciate that they are busy people and feel the need to move on.
“In our recruitment drive for a new musical director, we will also be looking for an accompanist and a deputy musical director.”
Anyone interested in the Côr Meibion Llanelli posts should contact choir secretary Fred Elias, Tir Na Nog, School Road, Pwll, Llanelli, SA15 4AL, phone 01554 741027, email llanellimvc@gmail.com or et_freedy@hotmail.com
You can find out more about the choir on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CorMeibionLlanelli
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