Côr Meibion Llanelli line up special guests for annual concert

Côr Meibion Llanelli have lined up some very special guests for their annual concert at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, June 30.

The guest soloist is tenor Wynne Evans, a familiar face to one and all for his work advertising Go Compare on television.

The special transatlantic guests are Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir.

“It is a delight to welcome our visitors from Vancouver,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas.

“There are strong links between Llanelli and Vancouver as we have performed there on tour.

“Musical director Jonathan Quick is a great friend and we are looking forward to renewing old friendships.

“For example, one of the choristers is John Cann, a native of Llanelli, whose wife Del comes from Tumble.”

Mr Thomas added: “It promises to be a fabulous night and my advice is to get tickets early as there will be quite a rush for what is always a memorable evening.”

Founded in 1980 by a handful of expatriate Welshmen, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir has grown into a 100-man ensemble from throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia representing Canada’s cultural mosaic.

Offering an entertaining repertoire of traditional Welsh hymns, spirituals, opera choruses, show tunes and much more, the choir tours extensively throughout British Columbia and internationally.

Key facts about Côr Meibion Llanelli:

• 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

• Saturday, July 7 – Gala Concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.
• Saturday, August 11 – Competition: 2012 Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Weblinks: http://llanellimalechoir.co.uk http://www.wynneevans.co.uk/

Press release issued by Robert Lloyd.