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About us
Ready for the Christmas concert in St Illtyd's

In rehearsal

Concert at St Donats Art Centre

Snapshots

Summer Concert July 2024

The audience sing-along!

Profiles

Stephen Shellard - Music Director
Stephen Shellard comes from Dublin. He began his musical career as a chorister, later becoming head chorister at St Patrick’s Cathedral. He studied for a BA(Mus) at Trinity College during which time he became the youngest ever professional Alto in the 800 year history of St. Patricks.
After graduation Stephen moved to join Worcester Cathedral Choir in 1990 as a professional Alto, where he remained for 32 years. His work included singing solo on Cathedral Choir recordings and in concerts with many other choirs. He also featured as a soloist in the annual Three Choirs Festival. In 1998, he founded the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir, and in 2013 he founded The Proteus Ensemble (a professional singing group) which made its debut at the Worcester Three Choirs Festival in 2014 - this was where their first recording was launched. Stephen was also appointed as the first chorus master to the Elgar Festival Chorus in 2019.
In 2023, while continuing his association with the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir, Stephen embarked upon a Masters degree in choral conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, from which he graduated with distinction. Stephen is also a singing teacher and maintains a private practice as well as teaching at the Elgar School of Music in Worcester.

Sally Tarlton - Accompanist
Sally lives in Llantwit Major and has had an extensive teaching practice both at the Llandaff Cathedral School and privately. However, she has now retired from teaching.
She has been the accompanist and continuo player for the Cardiff Bach Choir for 20 years. She was accompanist for the Cardiff University Chorus for many years until Lockdown got in the way!
She plays regularly for the Llantwit Ladies Choir, and is called upon frequently by many choirs, both male voice and others.
She is delighted to be back accompanying St Donats Chorale after being with the group at its founding in 2009.
Sally and her husband, Antony, have a talented son Ben, who is making a name for himself as a solo cellist.
They all help to run the Llantwit Major Chamber Music Festival which performs in St Illtyd’s Church in March each year.
Where we are
We rehearse on Mondays 7:30-9:30 at the CF61 Community Centre, Station Rd, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, WALES. CF61 1ST
Buses are 303, 304 and 321 : bustimes.org
Llantwit Major has a train station with frequent services to/from Bridgend and Cardiff : tfw.wales
Past Events
Swing July 2018

Star Of Bethlehem Joseph Rheinberger December 2018

The Armed Man Karl Jenkins April 2019

Captain Noah July 2019

John Stainers Crucifixion March 2020 (Cancelled because of the Covid 19 pandemic)
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Let All the World ... May 2022

Tidings And Tinsel December 2022

Summer Serenade July 2023

Christmas Lights December 2023

Spring Concert April 2024

Summer Concert July 2024

Magnificat December 2024

More ...
Our name was taken from the St Donats Arts Centre where the choir was formed in 2009 under the musical direction of Carl Grainger. In 2015 the choir became a registered charity and moved to Llantwit Major. Since Covid restrictions were lifted in 2021, St Donats Chorale has returned in strength.
We have sung in different languages : Welsh, English, Italian, French and Norwegian. There is no audition process and you don’t have to be an experienced singer; beginners are very welcome.
We rehearse on Mondays 7:30-9:30 pm at the CF61 community venue in Llantwit Major. Our Music Director is Stephen Shellard.
We are an inclusive choir and focus on enjoyment, learning and achieving success. There has been a tour to Norway and performances in Bath Abbey, Llandaff Cathedral, the Millennium Centre Cardiff, Dyffryn Gardens, All Saints Church Barry, Holy Cross Church Cowbridge and our local church - St Illtud’s Llantwit Major.