Archive of Events
EVENTS FOR 2020
Sunday, 1st March
Saint David's Day Concert at the Wales Millennium Centre
We had a lovely day to travel from Ammanford when Persain took part in the St. David's Day Concert in the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It was a delight to sing on the main stage. We performed a variety of Welsh music, beginning with "Y Mae Afon" and ending with "Adiemus".
EVENTS FOR 2019
Saturday 7th December
Annual Christmas Concert
All Saints Church, Ammanford
We enjoyed performing at our own annual concert in beautiful All Saints Church. Our guests for the evening were Ammanford Town Silver Band and we all experienced a lovely evening of Christmas music. For sale at the concert was our new CD of Christmas music, "What Sweeter Music - the Christmas Album", recorded at All Saints a week or so earlier.
Saturday 30th November
Aberglasney Christmas Fayre
We spent an enjoyable morning at Aberglasney, singing a varied repertoire of Christmas music, fortified by mulled wine and mince pies, though the weather was not as cold as usual!
Sunday, 10th November
Service of Remembrance
Saron Chapel
We returned to Saron Chapel the next week to take part in the Service of Remembrance, singing "Y Darlun", "A Flower Remembered" and "In Flanders Fields", yet again a moving ceremony.
Saturday 2nd November
Concert with Rhys Meirion at Saron Chapel
We were delighted to perform in this concert with acclaimed Welsh tenor, Rhys Meirion, as part of his 20th Anniversary Tour. Other guests taking part included his daughter Elan, Saron School Choir and young singer Ossian Clarke It was a wonderful evening.
Saturday 19th October
Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert
It was a privilege to be included in this annual charity event at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.
We performed with a massed choir made up of Corau Meibion Caerfyrddin, Dyffryn Tywi, Mynydd Mawr and Porth Tywyn, conducted by Dr Alwyn Humphreys MBE. Also taking part were tenor Osian Wyn Bowen, Forces Sweetheart Kirsten Orsborn, Lauren Fisher, a young singer with Loud Applause Rising Stars and Caradog Williams and the Corps of Drums of the 215 - the City of Swansea - Squadron Air Cadets. Robert Lloyd was the compere. It was both an entertaining and moving evening, ending with a Tribute to the Fallen.
Saturday, 6th July,
Concert with Gwaun Cae Gurwen Brass Band at Ysgol y Bedol.
An enjoyable summer's evening spent with the Waun Band. We performed a number of items from our repertoire, old and new, and were entertained by the excellent senior and junior sections of the band, with a variety of accomplished soloists.
Saturday, 29th June
Concert at Caldicot with the Severn Tunnel Brass Band
Our coach to Caldicot was covered by a "Communities Music" grant kindly awarded by Ty Cerdd and we were very pleased to be invited to sing with the excellent Severn Tunnel Brass Band in Choir Hall. We performed to an appreciative audience on a very hot summer evening and enjoyed a lovely buffet provided by our hosts.
Saturday, 22nd June
Performance at Llansteffan Castle for the Mock Mayor's Garden Party
It was a pleasure to take part in this delightful event in such a lovely setting overlooking the estuary. We strolled up the hill or were conveyed to the castle from the centre of the village either by free taxi or in the back of a pick up truck! It was a beautiful, hot day and we enjoyed performing to a large audience of picnickers and were entertained by the music throughout the afternoon.
Friday, 7th June,
Concert at Talog, Carmarthen
A lovely concert at Talog, outside Carmarthen, despite the torrential rain during the evening! We sang a variety of Welsh and English music during the first and second halves of the concert, and enjoyed the singing of beautiful soprano, Catrin Ann, and the versatile Penybont Young Farmers, the first placed choir in Wales at the 2018 Eisteddfod and winners of the Carmarthenshire Excellence in Music Award, 2019 who entertained us with song and dance. We also enjoyed the refreshments after the concert, kindly provided by the organisers! A very enjoyable evening.
April 4th - 9th
Bangor International Choir Festival (Northern Ireland)
We have recently returned from a visit to Northern Ireland, where the choir took part in the International Choir Festival at Bangor.
On Friday evening, Persain participated in the Festival Concert, where we sang a number of items from our repertoire and joined with the other choirs in the final piece of music, "Morte Christe". A large number of choirs took part in the Festival which has now been taking place annually for over twenty-five years.
During the competitions on Saturday, Persain was successful in gaining Second Prize in the Newcomers section with "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" and "The Prayer from Hansel and Gretel", and received very favourable comments from the adjudicators.
We were very pleased indeed to have been involved in this prestigious event within a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
The choir stayed in Belfast and we were able to spend time in this lovely city and visit the surrounding area, including the Giant's Causeway on the North coast and the city of Dublin in the Republic of Ireland before returning home after a very enjoyable experience.
Saturday, January 12th
Brynamman Public Hall
"The Full Monty"
All proceeds to Breast and Prostate Cancer Charities.
We performed along with other local acts and community groups, singing "When I'm Sixty-four" and "Hey Big Spender" - complete with feather boas!
EVENTS FOR 2018
Sunday, December 16th
Leekes, Cross Hands
Our last performance of 2018 took place at Leekes Store where we enjoyed entertaining the Christmas customers.
Friday, December 14th
Christmas Party, Llandybie Social Club
We had a great night entertaining our family, friends and supporters with lots of fun and laughter.
Tuesday, December 11th
Ty Dyffryn,Tirydail.
We enjoyed entertaining the residents of Ty Dyffryn and their relatives and we had a lovely reception.
Friday December 7th
Annual Christmas Concert
All Saints Church, Ammanford
Our second annual Christmas Concert was a lovely festive evening in this beautiful settting with our extremely talented guests Ysgol Saron Choir and violinist Abigail Hammett. It was a wonderful occasion with which to begin the Advent season.The event was enjoyed by one and all. Our grateful thanks to all involved.
Saturday, December 1st
Aberglasney Christmas Fayre
Despite the dismal weather a cheery time was had at Aberglasney on Saturday morning. Our thanks to Lucy for standing in for Catherine.
Sunday, November 25th
Our first Christmas event of 2018 was held at the marquee at Newton House, Dinefwr on a cold and crisp day to a warm reception from an appreciative audience.
Sunday November 11th
Armistice Day Service
A very moving Remembrance Service to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, held at Saron Chapel. We sang A Flower Remembered, Nimrod and For the Fallen.
Annual Concert June 9th
All Saints Church, Ammanford
with St. Senan's Choir of Enniscorthy, Ireland
We were very pleased indeed to welcome our special guests, Saint Senan's Church Choir from the picturesque town of Enniscorthy in beautiful County Wexford, Ireland, with whom we sang on our visit to Ireland in 2016. We had a very enjoyable concert with a mixture of Welsh and Irish, traditional and modern music, in the lovely setting of All Saints Church, accompanied by Michael, Patrick and Edel on piano accordion, guitar and bodhran, and by Alissa's Irish dancing, received by a large and appreciative audience. A wonderful evening. Our thanks to Anne and Linda and all involved. We had a chance to socialise at the get-together after the concert, and at our meal in Neath the following evening. We look forward to meeting up to sing together again!
Sunday, May 27th
It was a delight to sing at the wedding of Edward and Bethan in the pretty church of St. Michael in Pontardulais. It was a lovely service . We wish them well for the future.
Friday, March 9th
Quiz held at Llandybie Social Club,
Another successful quiz, with plenty of thought-provoking questions to keep our minds alert, along with our usual buffet with its many tempting offerings. Congratulations to the winning team.
EVENTS FOR 2017
December 15th - Persain's Christmas Party
Persain ladies let their hair down tonight and entertained an invited audience in style. A great end to a very busy year with songs, poetry and sketches, as well as our usual quiz and a delicious buffet.
December 12th
Concert at Ty Dyffryn, Ammanford
Once again we had a very warm welcome from the residents of Ty Dyffryn. Donned in our Christmas jumpers we sang a variety of Christmas favourites.
December 10th
Ystradgynlais Christmas Festival
Another new venue for Persain. After some heavy snow the event was nearly cancelled but it went ahead in the Welfare Hall and the good citizens of Ystradgynlais turned out to support the festival.
December 8th
Christmas Concert
All Saints Church, Ammanford
Our very first Annual Christmas Concert was held at All Saints Church, Ammanford. It was lovely to sing all our favourite Christmas songs to a packed church. We were joined by Ammanford Town Silver Band and the evening was a very memorable occasion and one we hope to repeat each year.
December 3rd
Aberglasney Christmas Fayre
We sang at Aberglasney on a very cold December Sunday. Fortunately the weather was dry and we had an appreciative audience. The mulled wine and mince pie was very welcome after we'd finished our programme of Christmas songs.
26th November
Newton House, Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo
It was lovely to sing once again at this very well attended event. The Edwardian Christmas Fayre in Newton House has become a highlight in our calendar and is always enjoyed by all our members. The choir sang to a packed marquee.
18th November
St. Peter's Hall, Carmarthen
Hafan Glyd Christmas Market
It was a pleasure for Persain to sing in this new location in Carmarthen and to help Hafan Glyd raise much needed funds. The programme was a mixture of our usual repertoire and some Christmas songs.
22-24th September
Concert with Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir
at St. John's Church, Penistone, Sheffield
A wonderful time spent over the weekend at Sheffield, where we travelled to sing with the Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir. We had a lovely place to stay at the Jury's Inn in the centre of the city, and after some time spent exploring the sights, we journeyed to the pretty country town of Penistone where the concert was held in the 13th century Church of St. John the Baptist. There was a varied contribution of music from both choirs, with Persain's repertoire including Sing for Joy, Ar Hyd y Nos, Swansea Bay and the Lord Bless you and Keep you. We also devoted a section to commemorate the centenary of the battle of Passchendaele, with remembrance songs and readings, and ended with the Anthem from Chess. The concert concluded with a joint rendition of With a Voice of Singing from the choirs. Our thanks to all involved with the concert, and for the warm Yorkshire welcome we received.
Sunday, August 27th
Leekes Store, Cross Hands.
An enjoyable time singing at Leekes Store in Cross hands on Bank Holiday Sunday. We sang a varied repertoire, from Murasame and Y Mae Afon to Puttin' on the Ritz and Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend! We had a good welcome from an appreciative audience and plan to return to Leekes to sing carols at Christmas.
Friday, June 9th
Annual Concert at All Saints Church, Ammanford
We had a successful Annual Concert in the recently renovated All Saints' Church in Ammanford. The choir sang a variety of music from our new repertoire, including the traditional Tra Bo Dau, Irving Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz, the Japanese song Murasame and Delyth Rees' Hafan Gobaith. Our sincere thanks to our two extremely talented young soloists, organist Thomas Howell and baritone Dafydd Allen.
Saturday, May 13th
Lunchtime Recital
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
It was a wonderful experience to sing in the beautiful Cathedral at Christ Church in the city of Oxford to a most appreciative audience. We sang for an hour: a variety of sacred songs in English, Welsh and Latin, including Gounod's Christus Salvator, the Welsh version of Psalm 46 - Y Mae Afon, Faure's In Paradisum and Karl Jenkins' Adiemus, ending with the gospel Every Time I Feel the Spirit.
Sunday, April 2nd
Saron Chapel,
Celebrating 50 years of Ministry
We were very privileged indeed to be singing at Saron Church to celebrate Rev. Lyn Rees' fifty years of ministry here. It was a lovely service, and we offer our sincere congratulations to Rev Rees.
Sunday, 26th February
Dydd Gwyl Dewi at the National Botanic Gardens
We had an enjoyable morning singing at the Botanic Gardens in Llanarthney to celebrate St. David's Day. Our varied repertoire of Welsh and English music was received well by an appreciative audience.
Friday, 17th February
Quiz at Llandybie Social Club.
A good turn -out for an entertaining evening in Llandybie with a wonderful buffet as usual. Some difficult questions but the best team won again!