Saturday 2nd April
Wales Sings In Spring – Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
 
The Rotary Club of Morriston raises funds to support not only local good causes, but also those in Uganda, Nepal, and the Philippines. It was a bold move to hire the Brangwyn Hall for their latest fundraiser, and the discerning audience were treated to a wonderful evening of music.
In a packed programme, conducted by D. Huw Rees and accompanied by Hywel Evans (piano) and Huw Tregelles Williams (organ) we sang seven songs on our own and joined the other artistes in three more. Our soloist in Brenin y Sêr was Huw Roberts.

The ladies of Parti Llwchwr, led by Janet V. Jones and accompanied by D. Huw Rees and Huw Tregelles Williams, always convey their love and enjoyment of singing to their audience, and tonight was no exception as they sang a variety of Welsh favourites, John Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing, Ivor Novello, and Ivanovici’s Danube Waves Waltz in Welsh.

We were entertained by two young soloists; soprano Adele O’Neill, and tenor Elgan Llyr Thomas from north Wales.

 Adele chose mainly operatic arias, and was joined by Parti Llwchwr in Strauss’ Nuns’ Chorus.  Adele is due to join Grange Park opera company for 4 months.  She was accompanied by Hywel Evans.
Elgan’s programme came from Verdi, R.S. Hughes, John Henry, and Franz Lehar – something for everyone. His accompanist was D. Huw Rees, who, with Hywel Evans, had a busy night. We joined him in singing Anthem from Chess.  

Both choirs joined together to sing Robat Arwyn’s Anfonaf Angel, with Huw Roberts and Parti Llwchwr sharing the verses.

The concert’s finale,  The Holy City sung by all the perfomers, brought the audience to its feet in appreciataion of a wonderful evening of music. We were even joined by compere Kevin Johns, who couldn’t resist singing it with us.

Kevin really made the evening go with a swing, with his inimitable enthusiasm and humour.

Wednesday 16th March
Schools Choral Competition
 
This was our third annual competition for Swansea Valley schools’ choirs, and 10 primary schools competed for a 1st prize of £200 andthe perpetual plaque. All competing choirs received a financial reward and a commemorative plaque, with each singer having a certificate.

Unfortunately, due to essential safety work being carried out in Tabernacle Chapel, it was not possible to hold the event there again this year, but we were given the use of Morriston Comprehensive School’s impressive new theatre and hall.

This had advantages and disadvantages; the theatre was bursting at the seams with the families and friends of the contestants, leaving no room for the choirs to sit and hear their competitors.
On the other hand, the choirs were able to relax and amuse themselves outside in the hall while waiting their turn to perform.

The adjudicators this year were our MD D. Huw Rees, our president Huw Tregelles Williams OBE, and Lyndon Jones, Director of the Swansea International Festival. Their task was made difficult by the high standard of singing, but by a long process of elimination, weighing up each choir’s musical performance, stage presence, communication with the audience, etc, they eventually awarded First Prize to the choir from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw, with Cwm Glas and Gwyrosydd in 2nd and 3rd places.

All the choirs, their teachers and their families deserved praise for the work they had put in over the previous months, and more than one small sibling in the audience was seen mouthing words, proving their brother or sister had been practicing at home!

This was another successful evening, and a tribute to the enterprise of our General Secretary Mr. J. Layton Watkins, who first proposed the competition.

We thank the sponsors who contributed financially, and Morriston Comprehensive school for the use of the theatre and hall.

Tuesday March 1st
TescoExtra, Llansamlet, Swansea
 
We were invited back to Tesco’s Llansamlet store again this year to entertain their customers on St. David’s Day.
With Helen Wyn conducting, and Hywel Evans at the piano we sang two sessions of songs, and sold several CDs. It was also an opportunity to publicise our forthcoming Schools Choral Competition, and the Annual Concert in May.
 Last year we managed to recruit a new chorister, and we hope to have convinced another couple of potential members.
 
We thank the manager and staff of the store for their hospitality, and for allowing us to make a collection towards the costs of our forthcoming Schools Choral Competition on 16th March at Morriston Comprehensive School.

We also thank the manager for the store’s donation towards the Competition