Cor Meibion Llanelli St David’s Day week concerts

by Robert Lloyd

Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) are geared-up for one of their busiest weeks of the year.

On St David’s Day, Thursday, March 1, the choristers will be heading up the M4 for their very own ‘big match’ near Twickenham.

The choir will be performing at Duke Street Baptist Church, Richmond, in aid of the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond’s chosen charity, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Leanne Corneille, Mayor’s support officer in Richmond, said there was a huge amount of interest in the concert.

“Tickets have been selling like hot-cakes,” she said. “Having the choir perform here in Richmond on St David’s Day makes the event extra special and we will have plenty of ‘London Welsh’ exiles in the audience.”

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director D Eifion Thomas said the choristers were looking forward to the London trip.

“Like the Wales rugby team getting revved-up for a big match at Twickenham, the choristers revel in the occasion of taking to the stage for a special event on St David’s Day.”

On Saturday, March 3, the choir will be holding its annual ‘St David’s Day’ concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.

“The commitment to perform in London means that we have had to delay our own St David’s Day concert by a couple of days,” said Mr Thomas.

“But, you can rest assured that it will be well worth the wait. We care very passionately about celebrating all things Welsh and the life of our patron saint and the evening at Theatr Elli will reflect that passion and pride.”

Notes

It would take a fairly hefty book to summarise the achievements of the choir over a history spanning 48 years.

But here are some keynote events –

• 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 is the present holder of the baton, D Eifion Thomas, who has helped the choir grow in stature and strength to become one of the leading male choirs in Britain.
• 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’s future is secure and their motto of “Ymlaen Llanelli” will surely hold the choristers in good stead for another 40 years!
• The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.

Future Côr Meibion Llanelli events –

• Thursday, March 1 – St David’s Day concert in Twickenham for the Mayor of Richmond’s charity, 7pm start.
• Saturday, March 3 – Concert to mark St David’s Day at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, 7pm start.
• Friday, March 9 – Wedding at the Stradey Park Hotel for choir founder member Byron Thomas’s daughter. 4pm.
• Friday,March 16 – Gala concert at Parc y Scarlets, 7pm start, featuring tenor Wynne Evans and Only Men Aloud.