Latest On Song column from the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star –
THE Llanelli-based Hospital Notes choir is going from strength to strength, with choristers looking forward to a busy programme which includes celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Fund-raising for charity forms an important pillar of the work of the Hospital Notes choir.
Last year, the choir raised £2000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
This year, choristers have raised the target to £3000, with this year’s nominated charity being the Carmarthenshire-based Angor.
Angor started more than 15 years ago when it became apparent that there was a real need for support services in Carmarthenshire for individuals diagnosed with cancer or a life-altering diagnosis.
Angor is a charity made up of like-minded individuals from various walks of life who understand the impact that a life altering diagnosis can cause, and who aspire to enable and support the transformation of individuals by providing an informed and holistic service which builds hope and strength.
Hospital Notes was formed in 2018 to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS.
Choir Chair Gemma Brown believed that forming a choir for the event would not only be a wonderful way for her colleagues to celebrate 70 years of an organisation they are so proud of, but it would also serve as a fun activity, supporting the well-being of staff within the Hywel Dda Health Board.
Choir spokesman Stacey Harries said: “Such was its success, the choir secured a musical director who is a serving police officer, and thus became the only Health, Social Care and Emergency Services choir in Wales.
“We now even have members from a neighbouring health board as we have grown in reputation. Our continual aim is to promote the health and well-being of our members while bringing joy to our communities.
“We have featured on both BBC Radio Wales and BBC Wales News over the years to promote our choir whilst also raising awareness of the different charities we fundraise for every year.
“We rehearse every Sunday evening and perform to large and smaller audiences frequently.
“During the peak of the pandemic, our members still in active service worked long hours every day and gave everything to serve the communities of South Wales. We managed to meet weekly over Zoom and although exhausted and often emotional, the choir provided much-needed escapism and a safe space for our members.
“Our wonderful members truly make our choir. We have Doctors, Nurses, Physios, Mental Health Specialists, Occupational Therapists, Phlebotomists, Social Workers, Pathologists, Administrators, Management, a Chair and County Director – and we even have two Paralympians in our Soprano section!”
Hospital Notes events for 2023 include –
- Choir ‘boot camp’ on April 15, where choristers get together to rehearse for a whole day to prepare us for upcoming performances.
- Saturday June 24– The choir now rehearses at Dafen Church Hall, a fantastic venue for acoustics. Hospital Notes will be singing at the hall’s Strawberry Tea.
- Saturday July 1– Summer Party at St. Elli’s Bay. Resident band Not All Superheroes will provide the music and some of the night involves ‘bandeoke.’
- Wednesday July 5– The choir will be performing for the 75th Anniversary of the NHS at Prince Philip Hospital.
- Saturday October 21– Annual Concert in Y Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. More details to follow, including news of a special guest.
- In November, the choir will be singing at the RCN Nurse of the Year Awards along with the NHS Confederation Conference, both in Cardiff.
In other news, if you like big ‘raise the roof’ choirs, then ‘The Lyric’ theatre in Carmarthen is the place to be on Saturday, April 1.
The famous Pendyrus Male Choir will be teaming up with the youngsters from Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) in what promises to be an inspirational evening of song.
Gavin Parry will be at the piano at The Lyric and the guest conductor will be the celebrated Dr Alwyn Humphreys MBE.
Osian Clarke and Lauren Elizabeth Williams will be the two members of LARS being featured as soloists on The Lyric stage.
You can get tickets from The Lyric box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar website at –
https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/pendyrus-choir
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.
Anyone interested in the Côr Meibion Llanelli post 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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