Cor Meibion Llanelli have recruited a new accompanist

by Robert Lloyd

Rhiannon Williams-Hale replaces Sarah Thomas, who has left to concentrate on her teaching duties in Carmarthen.

Rhiannon Williams-Hale FLCM LLCM ALCM LRSM LTCL ATCL LGSMD was born in Cardiff in 1976.

Rhiannon was educated at the Bishop of Llandaff High School, received piano tuition at the Royal Academy of Music, London (following two ABRSM scholarship prizes), and read Music at Cardiff University having been awarded the ‘David Lloyd Vocal scholarship’ on entrance.

Brought up in Barry, Rhiannon’s career began as a Singer and in 1989 she achieved the prestigious titles of ‘Welsh and National BET Choirgirl of the Year’ – the final of which was held in London.

A part time vocal scholar at the RWCMD, she became a member of the National Youth Choirs of Wales, Great Britain and the RSCM Cathedral Singers, also achieving her ‘St Cecilia Senior award’ and LTCL in Voice.

Rhiannon is a ‘Fellow’ of the London College of Music in piano accompaniment, a Licentiate and Associate of the same college (solo piano) and of the Guildhall, Trinity and Royal Schools of Music – achieving Distinctions in all.

In 2008, Rhiannon received honorary ‘Lady’ membership of the renowned ‘Treorchy Male Choir’ for whom she was principal accompanist (1998-2002).

Also accompanist for the successful ‘Bridgend Male Choir’ (2003-2008) and the highly regarded ‘Pontarddulais Male Choir'(2008-2012), she toured greatly, including America, Canada and Australia, and also accompanied prestigious singers Alfie Boe, Shan Cothi, Gwawr Edwards, Rebecca Evans, Tristan Llyr Griffiths, Rhys Meirion, Fflur Wyn and Elin Manahan-Thomas, to name a few.

Rhiannon is currently the Musical Director of ‘Bridgend Male Choir’ (April

2012-present) – recently receiving the ‘runner up’ spot at the Majestic Male Voice Choir Competition, Torquay.

She was also MD of ‘Cor Merched Ynysybwl’ for just over 10 years and is co-leader of the Treorchy based ‘Voices of the Valley’.

Rhiannon has also ‘guest’ conducted Treorchy and Cwmbach Male Choirs.

Rhiannon is the event organiser for the ‘Treorchy Eisteddfod’ (held for the first time in 2012) and is also an official accompanist for the ‘Richard Williams Musical Theatre Prize’ as well as being an organist at graduation ceremonies (University of Glamorgan) Her adjudicating experience has included the Final of the ‘Rotary Young Musician of Wales’ held at the WMC in 2009, the ‘Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician of the Year’ Semi-Finals, the ‘Festival4Stars’ competition at ‘The Pavillion-Porthcawl’, ‘The Princess of Wales Theatre-Port Talbot’ and at the ‘Bridgend County School Choir of the Year Competition’ alongside Jeff Howard.

A private teacher at her Treorchy home, Rhiannon has a large practice and has taught for the past 20 years-many of her students have had success in the West End/Colleges of Music.

Website: www.rhiannonwilliams-hale.com

Sarah Thomas completed her last official engagement with Cor Meibion Llanelli on Saturday at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. She is pictured below with her fiance Gareth Kirby. The couple were wished all the very best for the future by choir chairman Mel Harries.