Sitting in the Brangwyn Hall this evening, the overriding impression was how many talented young musicians there are in the Swansea area. We were treated to a feast of music from a number of youth ensembles, all playing under the purview of the Swansea Youth Music service.
The theme was 'Somewhere in my Memory' and the performance involved music symbolising various dates in the past starting with December 1914. The performers included the Youth Symphony Orchestra, St. Joseph's Cathedral Primary School Year 2 StringAlong Pupils, Swansea Music County Choir, Cor Lleisiau Gwyr, Youth Brass Band, Youth Wind Band, Youth Big Band, Youth String Orchestra, Training Orchestra, Youth Sax Ensemble, the County Youth Dance Company, 215 Swansea Squadron Drum Corp and the School of Rock.
We were treated to powerful music such as Karl Jenkin's The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace and Hymn Before Action and Benedictus as well as pieces such as Baby it's cold outside, Let it Snow, All I want for Christmas and Jingle Bells.
It was a tour de force and a credit to the performers and those who tutor them and who arranged the concert.
Tuesday 27 November 2018
Sunday 25 November 2018
St.John's Clydach Division's annual presentation evening
Tonight I was off to the Vale Inco Hall in Clydach for the annual presentation of awards to members of the St. John's Ambulance Badgers and Cadets groups there.
Those volunteers who run groups such as this for young people are few and far between. They are a precious resource, often unheralded heroes who should be cherished by the communities in which they live and work. It was a pleasure therefore to see that their work was acknowledged tonight as well as that of their charges.
As well as myself as Deputy Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff were in attendance to give out awards to the young badgers, who are aged between 5 years old and 10, and to the cadets, who are slightly older, ranging from 10 years to 17.
There was a buffet and a raffle and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves, especially the proud parents who came to see their children's work recognised in this way. Congratulations to them all.
Those volunteers who run groups such as this for young people are few and far between. They are a precious resource, often unheralded heroes who should be cherished by the communities in which they live and work. It was a pleasure therefore to see that their work was acknowledged tonight as well as that of their charges.
As well as myself as Deputy Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff were in attendance to give out awards to the young badgers, who are aged between 5 years old and 10, and to the cadets, who are slightly older, ranging from 10 years to 17.
There was a buffet and a raffle and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves, especially the proud parents who came to see their children's work recognised in this way. Congratulations to them all.
Saturday 24 November 2018
Pontarddulais Male Choir Annual Concert
It was another superb night with one of the Swansea area's outstanding choirs. Tonight we attended the annual concert of the Pontarddulais Male Choir at the Brangwyn Hall.
The programme records that the choir won their category at the 2018 National Eisteddfod in Cardiff for the sixteenth successive year. After tonight's performance I can see why. They were superb, delivering a mouth-watering programme that included significant contributions from Elin Manahan Thomas, her husband Robert Davies, and Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.
The Brangwyn Hall was packed and everybody enjoyed the varied programme and the interaction between the choir and their guests.
The programme records that the choir won their category at the 2018 National Eisteddfod in Cardiff for the sixteenth successive year. After tonight's performance I can see why. They were superb, delivering a mouth-watering programme that included significant contributions from Elin Manahan Thomas, her husband Robert Davies, and Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.
The Brangwyn Hall was packed and everybody enjoyed the varied programme and the interaction between the choir and their guests.
Sunday 18 November 2018
Sunday 11 November 2018
Silence in the Square
My part in the commemoration events this morning was attending the Silence in the Square service in Castle Square.
Several hundred people braved the wind and the rain to pay their respects to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts over the last hundred years.
Prior to the formal service we were entertained by a choir from Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr and then by Kirsten Orsborn from Neath, who is an acclaimed Welsh singer and Forces Sweetheart for the Royal Marines. She sang some of the Vera Lynn classics from World War two.
The event was compered by Kevin Johns and the service was taken by Canon Ian Rees from St Mary's Church. Afterwards, Kirsten Orsborn and the choir provided further entertainment.
Saturday 10 November 2018
A Festival of Remembrance Concert - Pontarddulais, Hendy and Llanedi
As is to be expected this weekend is particularly busy for the Mayoral team, with a number of events for Remembrance Day and in particular commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.
Tonight I was in Pontarddulais for their annual Festival of Remembrance concert. The hall was packed, in fact the concert was sold out about six weeks ago, for a truly memorable event featuring local schools, the Town band and a number of choirs.
The evening started with Pontarddulais Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Bryniago, both of which gave us a performance paying tribute to the soldiers who had died in World War 1. The guest soloist was Adele O'Neill and she was followed by Ysgol Llanedi and the Pontardulais Town Band who played us a piece composed by local man, Haldon Evans.
Part two saw a performance by Côr Glandulais, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School choir and saxophone ensemble, Lleisiau Lliw, Adele O'Neill and Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Choir.
It was a fitting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in wars during the last century and a very enjoyable evening for all those who attended.
Tonight I was in Pontarddulais for their annual Festival of Remembrance concert. The hall was packed, in fact the concert was sold out about six weeks ago, for a truly memorable event featuring local schools, the Town band and a number of choirs.
The evening started with Pontarddulais Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Bryniago, both of which gave us a performance paying tribute to the soldiers who had died in World War 1. The guest soloist was Adele O'Neill and she was followed by Ysgol Llanedi and the Pontardulais Town Band who played us a piece composed by local man, Haldon Evans.
Part two saw a performance by Côr Glandulais, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School choir and saxophone ensemble, Lleisiau Lliw, Adele O'Neill and Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Choir.
It was a fitting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in wars during the last century and a very enjoyable evening for all those who attended.
Sunday 4 November 2018
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