Côr Meibion Llanelli ready for Bro Morgannwg Eisteddfod

By Robert Lloyd

Côr Meibion Llanelli are geared up their biggest test of the year – the main male voice choir competition at the Royal National Eisteddfod.

The choir roll of honour includes five previous wins in the National Eisteddfod.  This year’s event, the Bro Morgannwg Eisteddfod, takes place at Llandow, near Cowbridge, and will see the choir take the stage on Saturday evening (August 11).

“There is a huge amount of work that goes into preparing a choir for the annual National Eisteddfod,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas.

“The choir members look forward to the competition for months and we spend hours and hours rehearsing the different test pieces which are there to ensure the winning choir can perform to the highest standards.

“Competition is always fierce, with a healthy rivalry between the Welsh choirs to take the main male voice title.

“In the end, the verdict is given by the adjudicators and there is always a hush as you have to pay attention to every word of their decision.”

Côr Meibion Llanelli facts

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.