Next Event
Magnificat Saturday 14th December 2024 at 7.30pm
At St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major : St Donats present an evening of Christmas music featuring The Magnificat by Taylor Scott Davis and Carols from around the world. You will be filled with festive cheer afterwards. We are delighted to be joined once more by Royal Academy Soloist - Miss Grace Hope-Gill.
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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
James Bull - Musical Director
James started his musical career as a boy Chorister in Llandaff Cathedral, later becoming Organ Scholar at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff. Finishing with a Music degree from Cardiff University, James then developed his varied career both as an organ recitalist, and as accompanist and choirmaster with choral groups across South Wales. James was a frequent student at the Oundle International Festival for organists, receiving a number of the prestigious recital awards. He has also attended the Eton Choral Courses under Ralph Allwood. In January 2014, he was appointed as accompanist to St Donats Chorale, and subsequently appointed as Musical Director of St Donats Chorale in January 2023.
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)
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
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 Musical Director is James Bull, organist and Choirmaster at All Saints Church, Barry. He is assisted by our accompanist Sally Tarlton.
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.