MEMBERS of the Llanelli and District Twinning Association are looking forward to the visit of musicians from Llanelli’s twin town of Agen.
A group of harpists from Agen and Lot de Garonne will be in Llanelli on the July 16, 17 and 18.
One of the main events marking their visit will be a Gala Concert at the Diplomat Hotel on Thursday, July 18, starting at 7pm.
The concert will feature a large group of harpists from the French region, Llanelli’s Côr Curiad Ladies Choir, under the musical directorship of Alex Esney, and four soloists from Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) – Osian Clarke, Liam Edwards, Penelope George, and Lauren Williams.
The accompanist will be Catrin Hughes. The compere will be Cerith Owens.
The harpists are part of an association known as Harpinbag.
The Agen and Lot de Garonne group was formed 10 years ago.
The association was originally created around Aude Fortict, a harp teacher at the conservatories of Marmande and Agen, to shape and develop the projects of amateur harpists, most of whom are from the Lot-et-Garonne region.
Harpinbag (pictured above) currently has 80 members, including about 29 active harpists, aged seven to 20, and about 15 harpists over 20 who participate in various activities.
The association also includes many harp lovers and supports unique cultural projects.
Since its creation, the young harpists have travelled throughout the region, wider France and Europe, and even to South America.
They have already recorded two CDs and performed many concerts in Nouvelle Aquitaine and Occitania.
Tickets for this unique event are £10 and are available from Paolo Piana pianapaolo@hotmail.com or 07956 592806 or from members of Côr Curiad or LARS.
This Saturday sees a special concert organised by Llanelli District Music and Drama Club.
The Welsh Chamber Orchestra will be performing at the parish church of St Elli at 3pm on Saturday, July 6.
The concert programme includes –
Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade no. 13 for strings K. 525).
Tchaikovsky – Andante cantabile (String quartet no. 1, Op. 11).
Alex Mills – Night, Sleep, Death and the Stars.
Borodin – Notturno (String quartet no. 2).
Haydn – Symphony no. 8 (Le soir).
Tickets are £12.50, available from Llanelly House, £14 on the door on the day.
Meanwhile, Parc Howard Association is teaming up with Llanelli Town Council to stage two concerts this summer.
The events are being held under the Music For The Park banner.
On Sunday, July 7, Llanelli Community Wind Band will be playing at the park between 2 and 4pm.
On Sunday, July 14, Carmarthen Ukeleles will perform between 2 and 4pm.
The concerts are free. Spectators should bring their own chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be available to purchase.
You can find out more about Carmarthen Ukeleles on their website at – https://www.carmarthenukuleles.co.uk
The Llanelli Wind Band website is at – https://www.llanellicommunitywindband.org
A special fundraising concert, featuring two fine choirs, will be held in Kidwelly this month.
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.
Ammanford’s very own children’s community theatre group, Starquest, are performing their Summer Variety show in the Glowyr Miners’ Theatre on July 6 and 7, 3pm both days.
The children taking to the stage are between three and 10 and will be entertaining you with singing, dancing and comedy.
Tickets are £9 and £8.
The Performance Factory Carmarthen brings the Disney Channel’s smash-hit movie musical to life in Disney’s High School Musical JR at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.
The performances are at 2.30pm and 6.30pm on July 13.
Join Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High and enjoy all the hit songs and dances that we’ve all come to know and love.
Tickets are £14 and £12.
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