Last Night of the Proms: "I Can't Wait!"

As the town prepares itself for its highlight concert of the year, three young local choristers share their views in the lead up to the sell-out ‘Last Night of the Proms’.   This Saturday (8 June) will see LLanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre stage its biggest cast yet when the Last Night of the Proms comes to town.

Leading conductor John Hywel Williams will direct the famous British Sinfonietta Orchestra and the giant massed voices of the Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, Llanelli Choral Society, Dunvant Male Choir and 2013 Cardiff Singer of the World Finalist Gary Griffiths, organist Huw Tregelles Williams, pianist Jean Hywel for the sell-out flag-waving musical extravaganza.

Nikkila Thomas, age 15 from St John Lloyd School is a senior soloist and chorister with the Hywel Choir having been a member of the choir since the age of six.

How many Proms have you been in?

This will be my 7th Proms. It’s been a privilege to performing with great choirs and various military bands from the Royal Air Force, Irish Guards, Welsh Guards and many times with the Royal Marines. It’s exciting this year to have a leading professional orchestra accompany us!

What is the highlight of the Proms for you?

It’s when everyone stands, waving flags and singing along to the pomp and patriotic songs! The Proms is the best show I have ever performed in. It’s the concert I look forward to every single year.

How would you describe the Proms to someone who hasn’t been before?

It’s an experience of true pride for our country, the community and a sense of belonging and one where you don’t stop smiling!

Do you have a favourite song which has been sung at the Proms?

I had the privilege of opening the proms with last year in singing ‘I vow to thee my country’ and then joined by the massed choir of 200 voices who stood all the way around the audience. Unforgettable!

Alex Morgan, age 11 years and a pupil at Bryngwyn Comprehensive School joined the Hywel Choir 2 years ago when she moved to Llanelli.

How many Proms have you been in?

Last year was my first. I’m really looking forward to this year’s Proms. It’s my favourite because everyone enjoys themselves and has a great time!

What is the highlight of the Proms for you?

When we are singing, the big band is playing and the audience and choirs are really enjoying themselves singing away and waving the flags!

How would you describe the Proms to someone who hasn’t been before?

It’s a concert with a big band or orchestra, where you can listen to really big songs and works and at the end everyone joins in the singing and waving flags, stamping their feet and clapping their hands!

Do you have a favourite song which has been sung at the Proms?

My favourite song is Panis Angelicus and I’ve also enjoyed singing this for TV.

Francesca Thomas is aged 8 and attends Ponthenri Primary School and has just celebrated her first anniversary as a chorister with Llanelli’s Hywel Choir.

How long have you been in the choir?

I’ve been in the choir for a year. It’s been awesome!

When did you join the choir?

I joined the choir the day before last year’s Proms. I couldn’t join any earlier as I wasn’t old enough. But I had the chance to go and watch the Proms. I loved it! It was brilliant! I was standing on my chair singing and waving my flag. I was telling everyone how amazing it was afterwards.

What is the highlight of the Proms for you?

When everyone waves their flags. The singing is brilliant and you can see that everyone is having a really good time. The proms didn’t finish until late but I was still standing on my chair, singing and waving my flag right up to the end.

How would you describe the Proms to someone who hasn’t been before?

It’s fun with lots of singing and waving flags and everyone has a brilliant time. I can’t wait!

Any favourite songs for the Proms?

We’ll be singing Joshua. It’s my favourite song what we sing. We now do choreography too so I love it even more now.

Highlights of this Saturday’s Proms under the baton of John Hywel Williams will include the 1812 Overture, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dambusters, William Tell Overture, Les Miserables, Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain, O Fortuna, Hallelujah Chorus, Radetsky March, Pie Jesu, Elgar’s traditional Pomp and Circumstance… to name but a few.

Due to the extraordinary demand for the performance which has been a sell-out for many months, organisers have been forced to put in place an emergency waiting list in place for those desperate for tickets. To contact the Waiting List, please contact info@hywelchoir.com or 07767 644733.