On song
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Road.
She said: “I went to Pentip School and then St John Lloyd School and then Gorseinon College. And then I did my teaching diploma privately, the ABRSM.”
As a self-employed private piano/ theory teacher, teaching the ABRSM (The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) syllabus, Alex currently tutors 70-plus pupils.
Alex also teaches GCSE composition and music GCSE privately.
She added: “In normal circumstances, it’s a busy week; I have two children, I teach about 70-plus children a week and conduct the two choirs! It can be a bit crazy.
“But I’m lucky. I have good pass rates and a few people have now qualified through me now and gone on to teach, which is lovely to see - people going on to pass on their musical expertise to others.”
Under Alex’s leadership, Côr Curiad has had many sell out performances and has performed with artists Peter Karrie, Rhydian Roberts, Paul Potts, Collabro, The Overtones and most recently Sam Bailey.
A musical highlight for Alex was accompanying Paul Potts on the piano at Côr Curiad’s annual charity concert.
Alex added: “When I’m asked about the highlights of working with Côr Curiad, there are loads of them.
“I’ve been with them 24 years and it is their 25th anniversary this year.
“We loved singing with The Overtones and it was delightful to be able to accompany Paul Potts in concert. It was at a packed-out Selwyn Samuel Centre. Paul won the first Britain’s Got Talent TV show. He sings over the world now. He’s really genuine and a lovely man and I love listening to him sing.
“And, of course, the Côr Curiad performance with Rhydian was special. That was our first sell-out concert in the Selwyn Samuel Centre. We sold 1000 seats, which is a remarkable achievement.
“That evening with Rhydian, Côr Meibion Llanelli were our guests for the evening, so it’s lovely how it has all come together for me and now I am working with both choirs.
“Collabro, who won Britain’s Got Talent, were great to perform with as well. That was an amazing night as we handed a cheque to the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli for £33,500. That was a great moment for us all.
“Last year, we had Sam Bailey at Ffwrnes Theatre. Again, she was fabulous. She’s known for winning the X Factor reality TV show. She was lovely to work with and on the night I tried to give an opportunity for some of my pupils to perform as well, so it was nice for them to have time on stage with a star.
“In 2019, we finished raising money for Marie Curie cancer care - and that was in the region of £20,000. I think we are still totalling it up!
“We are currently raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance (which has a base in Llanelli) - but, of course, like everyone, the coronavirus lockdown has had a massive impact on our fund-raising.
“We were also planning a Cor Curiad Young Musician of the Year for April this year, but obviously we had to postpone those plans when lockdown kicked in.”
Alex said she was delighted to take over the reins at Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir after long-standing musical director D Eifion Thomas moved on.
She said: “I have huge respect for Eifion Thomas over the years. He’s done a magnificent job. He’s given his life to music. It is a big gap to fill but we are trying our best.
“I am lucky in that I am sharing the role. My deputy conductor is Stephen Hopkins and, of course, we are working with an excellent accompanist in Jane Jewell. I have a very good team around me.”
On the difference between working with a male choir compared with a female choir, Alex couldn’t resist a hearty chuckle.
“I thought the ‘boys’ would talk a little less, but they don’t!
“They actually talk more. They do like a chat. They are nice boys. They have made me feel very welcome. But I do have to crack the whip on occasions!”
Alex said she remained positive about the future of male voice choirs.
She added: “Yes, it’s evident that numbers have dropped in male voice choirs throughout Wales, not just in Llanelli. But, along with the rest of the choir, we are eager to recruit new members.
“The singing experience is something special. It’s been proved that singing is good for your health, as well as the soul.
“Also, there’s a great camaraderie in the choir, a great team spirit. They all enjoy the social side and I’m sure new members will love the atmosphere.
“It’s important that the younger generation don’t think we are a stuffy old male choir. We are bringing a lot of new music on board alongside the old favourites and standards.
“For example, at the Christmas concert, there was plenty of new music in the repertoire. We did Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which is a very ambitious and bold thing to do. And there were hits from The Greatest Showman.”
On the Côr Curiad side, Alex is busy promoting the choir’s new CD, In Harmony.
Details can be found on the Côr Curiad Facebook page - https:// www.facebook.com/Corcuriad/
During the coronavirus crisis, this column will not be featuring events, but will be putting the spotlight on west Wales singers, choirs and musicians. If you have news, email robert.lloyd01@ walesonline. co.uk