A SPECIAL fundraising concert, featuring two fine choirs, will be held in Kidwelly later this summer.
Swansea Excelsior ladies choir will join Meibion Elli male voice choir to present ‘A Summer Concert’ at St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly, on Friday, July 12 at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm).
Lynda Richards, who lives in Kidwelly, is the musical director of Swansea Excelsior Choir.
She gave the following message to west Wales music fans: “We hope to fill the church with both beautiful music and people. Please come along and support us. Your support is very much appreciated.”
Peter Thomas, Chairman of the Llanelli-based Meibion Elli choir, said: “Our male voice choir continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Eifion Thomas. Choir membership is increasing and we are looking forward to joining the Swansea Excelsior Choir for what should be a splendid musical evening in the stunning surroundings of St Mary’s Church.”
Tickets are £7.50 available from Excelsior Choir members, at the door, or by telephone on 07708225254 or 07950913352.
Proceeds of the concert will be for St Mary’s Church. The Excelsior Choir’s accompanist will be Rachel Saunders. Aled Maddock will accompany Meibion Elli.
Swansea Excelsior Ladies Choir was formed in 1941 from the nucleus of the old Swansea Ladies Choir, which was disbanded. In 2021 the Covid pandemic prevented the choir celebrating its 80th anniversary.
Today the choir’s membership consists of approximately 40 ladies who enjoy singing and who, by performing concerts, support a wide variety of charities and other organisations.
Since 1999, the choir has donated more than £54,000 to worthwhile local charities.
In 2023, the choir travelled to Belgium, where they gave two concerts – the first in Ghent Cathedral; the second in Bruges at the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
They also visited Ypres, where the choir sang ‘Calon Lan’, ‘Eli Jenkins Prayer’ and the Welsh National Anthem. They also sang at the daily 8pm ‘Last Post’ ceremony at the Menin Gate.
Carmarthen tenor and Radio Wales broadcaster Wynne Evans has been in the news again as he has been appointed as the new Welsh Male Choirs Association President
The Association, which represents more than 100 member choirs, will benefit from Wynne’s leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
Fresh from the much-acclaimed massed choirs concert in the Royal Albert Hall in April, the association will continue to provide invaluable practical support and advice to member choirs.
Wynne also joins at a stage where the association aims to be more outward-facing, promoting the role and benefits of choral singing in society at large.
“Wynne Evans is ideally placed to assist the Association with its future goals”, said Chairman Paul Reynolds. “We warmly welcome his appointment and his enthusiasm on accepting the new role.”
Wynne Evans takes over the Presidency from Huw Tregelles Williams OBE, who provided the Association with unprecedented support in the role over a 15-year period.
“We took the opportunity at our Albert Hall concert to warmly thank Huw for his amazing service to our Association”, said Mr Reynolds. “Huw’s unstinting support to executive members, the invaluable advice provided, and the authority and credibility which he has given to our association has been truly priceless.
Meanwhile, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services in recognition of its outstanding contributions to providing musical theatre opportunities for young people across West Wales.
The opera company was presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Sara Edwards.
Established in 1979, the youth opera has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Wales for more than four decades.
Under the leadership of the late Liz Evans, with her husband David at her side, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera went from strength to strength, showcasing high-quality musical entertainment and earning accolades such as the Lord Snowdon Award for its first production of Snow White in 1979.
Over the years, it has continued to captivate audiences with productions ranging from Oliver! to Jesus Christ Superstar.
Further major refurbishment works at Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre, in the early 1990s and later, gave a home to the Youth Opera with a venue and facilities in which it could deliver productions of the highest quality to an audience of approximately 500 people.
The theatre is now owned and run by Carmarthenshire Council as a venue for current and future generations.
Carmarthen and District Youth Opera’s impact extends beyond the stage, with many former cast members pursuing successful careers in music and dramatic arts.
Councillor Hazel Evans, the county council cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture and tourism said: “Carmarthen and District Youth Opera embodies the spirit of community and dedication to the arts that enriches our region. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Services is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its volunteers and the profound impact the organisation has on nurturing young talent. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of West Wales.”
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created in 2002, then called the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years.
In other news last weekend’s scheduled concert by Scarlet Musical Theatre Productions (SMTP) and Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Choir was postponed at late notice.
A spokesman for SMTP said they would try and rearrange the concert, which had been planned for Hope Siloh Chapel, Pontarddulais.
The long-term plans for SMTP include a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical Sunset Boulevard in November.
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