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Llangollen International Eisteddfod bring “A Commonwealth Carnival of Music” to Westminster Hall
By Ceri Shaw, 2012-06-18
DATE: July 2 nd 2012 15.00 pm 18. 30 pm
FREE CONCERT
LOCATION: Westminster Hall , Houses of Parliament, London
A Commonwealth Carnival of Music will be a spectacular multi-cultural musical celebration, bringing the best of Llangollen International Eisteddfod to Westminster. Hosted by the broadcaster Huw Edwards, Baroness Floella Benjamin and founder of the Bite the Ballot political youth movement, Mike Sani, the Carnival is being staged in association with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (UK) as a central part of this years Diamond Jubilee Celebrations .
Choirs and dancers representing all corners of the Commonwealth on their way to the International Eisteddfod on July 3 rd will perform in front of a specially invited audience of musically talented young people, unsung heroes, community groups, Members of Parliament, Peers, VIPs and representatives of the Commonwealth High Commissions.
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts some of the best choirs, dancers and performers from all over the world. A selection of 2012s best Commonwealth performers have been invited to perform in A Commonwealth Carnival of Music at Westminster, including choirs from Canada , South Africa and Australia and a dance troupe from India . In addition, the line-up includes The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra , a Maori Choir who will bring the Haka to Westminster, a male Welsh Voice Super- choir and The Watoto Childrens Choir (an award winning and inspirational choir from a charity which looks after orphans in Uganda .) There will also be a rare opportunity to see The Parliament Choir whose members include Lords, MPs and other members of Westminster Staff.
Carnival Producer, Janet McBride said, This is a unique event taking place in the heart of the Palace of Westminster. It combines the spirit of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod with the Commonwealth Connecting Cultures theme for 2012 and is a fitting tribute to The Queens 60 years as head of the Commonwealth.
The President of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Terry Wait e acknowledged the Eisteddfods influence by saying that, Today, the festival is known right across the globe and often better known overseas than it is in the United Kingdom! Young people from different religious, ethnic, racial and social backgrounds gather together in Wales to share and express themselves through the language of music. Music has the capacity to breathe a certain harmony into the soul and those who experience harmony and peace within are better able to work for peace throughout the world.
By David L. Parry
Gwyndaf has performed as a lead tenor for the Welsh National Opera Company, English National Opera Company and the San Francisco Opera Company. He continues to perform throughout Toronto and is pleased that this coming year he will be joining the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir as a featured soloist.
Find more music like this on Americymru
A1 - Llanfairpwll, Angelsey, North Wales.
Q2 When did you cross the pond to Canada and why?
A2 - I crossed the pond to first live in Canada back in 1994 after finishing my contract with the Chicago Lyric Opera. Before then, I first came as a young boy touring with a choir from Anglesey. At the same time my father, the late Reverend Huw Tudur Jones, was trying to find a church he could call home so that we could emmigrate to Canada. When that didn't work out, we returned to Wales.
Q3 Over the years you have performed in a number of prestigious venues in the UK and indeed the rest of the world which ones particularly stick out as your favorites?
A3 - Royal Albert Hall in London, England was one of the most memorable venues I have ever performed in simply because of its sheer size. This was also where I had my first opportunity to perform as a lead tenor for a concert version of La Boheme. My mentor, Gwynne Howell, became ill and as his understudy I was asked to step in and perform in this grand venue. It was also one of the most terrifying experiences of my musical career as I was only a mere 18 years of age when this opportunity came to me.
Q4 Do you have any plans for any performances in North America in the near future?
A4 - In 2009, I am looking forward to joining the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir at Metropolitan United for the annual St. David's Day concert on Saturday, February 28th at 7:30 pm. For tickets and information on all these upcoming events, please visit my website at www.thewelshtenor.ca
Q5 - Wales, with it's incredibly small size and population, seems to produce a remarkable amount of singing and acting talent. Do you have a pet theory as to why this is?
A5 - It's a fact that any suppressed nation in history tends to find solace and comfort in their art forms. This is especially true with music because people can relate to it, connect with it and loose themselves in it even if only for just a second. Through the centuries, Wales has taken this idea a step further by developing and keeping a very high standard of arts training. Now it has become the norm for us to expect great things from the product of this tradition.
Q6 Who do you rate among the up and coming Welsh singers?
A6 Katherine Jenkins & Aled Wyn Davies.
Q7 How often do you get back to Wales and what is the first thing you try to do when you get there?
A7 - Unfortunately, I don't get back home as often as I would like. Up until last year, I hadn't been back to my hometown for over 20 years. Even so, last year I was able to revisit my hometown and introduce my Canadian wife to Welsh culture. One of the first things I did was spend the day walking through the island enjoying the smell of the ocean, the glorious views and feeling like I had never left.
Q8 Do you think you will ever move back to Wales?
A8 - Sometimes I feel like I could move back to Wales and other times I feel like it will never be a possibility. There are things that I will always miss about Wales, especially my childhood memories of church functions, community gatherings for the arts and playing rugby. But at the same time, I know that there are things that I would miss about Canada if I was in Wales, so it's really hard to say. Regardless, I believe that a large part of me has never really left Wales.
Q9 What do you think is the best way for Wales to go about raising its profile abroad?
A9 - One of the things I admire about living in Canada is how multicultural we are as a nation. Everyone is from somewhere else, and if you were born in Canada your ancestors are from somewhere else. I have always admired celebrities who use their fame to promote the arts in their homeland. One such example is Bryn Terfel, a baritone on the world stage who still sings Welsh repertoire in many of his concerts throughout the world and proudly displays his daffodil pin on his lapel where ever he goes. The Welsh stars can bring notoriety but it takes more than that to promote Wales in the world. What we can take from this is the idea of proudly showing our fellow citizens and neighbours who we are, where ever we live. The average Welsh person needs to educate others about where we are from, what we are about and what we can offer as a unique people. We are known as a creative nation; let us follow in that tradition.
Q10 Do you have any messages for our AmeriCymru readers?
A10 - My message for AmeriCymru readers is this; in my travels and experiences I learned very quickly that the Welsh have had and continue to have tremendous influence in theology, politics and the arts in many countries of the world. We need to be a little less complacent and a little more ready to tell people about ourselves. Myself, I am tired of hearing that Celtic music is mostly made up of Irish songs where the Welsh have beautiful folk melodies that belong in this category. Or knowing that the average Canadian has never heard of Wales unless someone was speaking about titles of the Royal family. We have no one to blame but ourselves. We have so much to be proud of and let us not focus on just what we have done in the past but continue it into the future. As a Welsh artist it is important for me to put my talents towards this cause, however I know that I can not do it alone. I know that there are many talented and connected Welsh out there. What we need is to network and support each other in these endeavours.
For further information and tour dates please visit: www.thewelshtenor.ca
Musical Director Announces Bold New Changes to Llangollen International Eisteddfod Competitions in 2013
By Ceri Shaw, 2012-06-18
World Wide Search for 40 Choirs to compete for Pavarotti Trophy, potentially the largest financial prize package for Festival Choir Competition
Brand New Childrens Choir of The World Competition
Exciting new changes being introduced to Llangollen International Eisteddfod Competitions in 2013 will be announced online at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk Saturday, June 16th 2012 at 09.00am. The International event has begun the search for 40 Choirs to compete for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy in the world renowned Choir of the World Competition in 2013 enticing World Wide competitors with potentially the largest financial prize package of 5,000 for a festival choir.
Eilir Owen Griffiths, the Musical Director explained, Only eight choirs from the Mixed, Youth, Chamber, Male and Female categories will be selected and they will all be in the running for the Choir of the World title from the outset. Another exciting development is the introduction of a special award for Childrens Choirs. We are introducing a Childrens Choir of the World Trophy with a prize fund of 500 for the highest scoring childrens choir along with a brand new Childrens Folk Choir competition for under 18s. We want to maximise the number of choirs that can compete and also further ensure that Llangollen Eisteddfod has the best choral competitions in the World
Llangollen Eisteddfod 2013 also begins the search for the Voice of the Future . The prize of 2,000 will go towards furthering the solo career of a young singer under the age of 35 and also comes with an invitation to perform in one of the major future Eisteddfod concerts.
Other changes will include a new Musical Director Award, which will be awarded by the Eisteddfods Musical Director for the best performance of a work by a living Composer. In addition a Conductors Prize Trophy and fund of 250 will be awarded to the most inspiring Conductor. Another competition for 2013 is an Authentic Vocal Folk Ensemble for no more than 10 performers to present a programme of authentic music representative of their local or regional tradition.
An application fee of 80 will be introduced in 2013 for all groups entering the Eisteddfod Competitions. Solo entry remains free. There is also a new opportunity for non-competitive groups to come and perform at the Eisteddfod. Their application fee is 50.
Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths added, We have put together a new set of competitions that will appeal to a wider range of potential applicants. All the changes will go live Saturday June 16th at 09.00am and can be seen on the Llangollen International Eisteddfod website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk .
This book is a joy to possess. It is a must for the serious researcher and the collector of historical trivia alike. With over 2,700 entries, author Peter Williams covers a lot of ground in this volume. On page 284 we find an entry entitled "Oldest Survival of Old Welsh". This is cross referenced with the entry for St. Cadfan where we learn that he was:- "...a missionary from Brittany, whose commemorative stone at Tywyn, Merionethshire has the oldest surviving example of Old Welsh."
This is one of the books many strengths and makes it almost suitable for casual browsing. Its major purpose though is to serve as a quick reference book and a starting point for further in-depth research. Anyone who is involved in compiling questions for Welsh quiz nights would be well advised to provide themselves with a copy. (see example quiz at the bottom of this page)
What is the "Longest Poem in the Welsh Language" and what is the "Largest Welsh Male Voice Choir"? ""What were the first Welsh words heard on radio" and "Where was the first photo taken in Wales"?. The answers to these questions and many more can be found cross-referenced on the pages of this book. There are many things in this volume which would take a considerable amount of "googling" to uncover.
The current revision is an updated edition of "An Alphabetical Guide to Wales and The Welsh" first published in 2005. The book can be obtained by contacting the author at Celticinfo.com.
Notes About the Author
"Peter N. Williams was born in Mancot, a little village in Flintshire, North Wales, just inside the border with England. Brought up in the industrial town of Flint, he was educated at Kings School, Chester, England and at the University College, Swansea, South Wales.
Peter came to the United States in 1957. Following his military service with the US army in Germany, he taught high school in Delaware for a number of years before completing his M.A. and PhD at the university of Delaware. He then taught English at the University before becoming Chairman of the English Department at Delaware Technical and Community College. Peter is the editor of CelticInfo.com , Celtic_Worlds.com and The Eagle and Dragon ( the official publication of the National Welsh American Foundation ).
Founder of the Welsh Society of Delaware and a Director of the National Welsh American Foundation, Peter was honored for his work on behalf of Wales and Welsh Americans by being made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1999. He is the author of The Sacred Places of Wales; From Wales To The Lehigh; The David Thomas Story; The Seven Wonders of Wales; A new Look; The History of Wales in Verse; Wales From A to Y; The Book of Wales, and the editor of 38 Hymns in Welsh and English."
See our "Wales and The Welsh" pub quiz HERE . Or download here:- walesandthewelshquiz.pdf Interview with the author HERE .
If anyone wants to nominate the Meriwether Lewis Memorial Foundation we will certainly think about it
http://www.basilmagazine.com/this-weeks-top-five/chase-community-giving-offers-7-5-million-in-grants/
Amy Wadge is a folk and country singer who originally came from Bristol, just over the Welsh border, but who has now crossed over and been adopted by her now-native Wales. She is one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Wales, and has won great critical acclaim as well as a number of awards and has supported music legends such as Van Morrison, Damien Rice, and Jeff Beck.
Amy Wadge - A Design for Life (Live)
Amy has recently been selected to perform at the prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in March, 2009.Q1 What part of Wales do you live in?
I live in Church Village in Pontypridd
Q2 When did you cross the border to Wales and why?
I moved here 15 years ago to study acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and then met my husband and never went back - I love it here!!
Q3 How would you describe your music?
Alternative country is the most accurate description but there are folk influences too with a bit of rock thrown in for good measure.
Q4 You have recently been selected to showcase at the legendary South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, do you have any other overseas gigs planed in the near future?
I'm hoping to build up something in America as I'd love to tour there - I have a one year old so touring abroad is a little bit harder these days - but I can always bring her with me!!!
Amy Wadge - Freefall (Live)
Q5 You toured Australia as a Welsh Assembly Government Cultural Ambassador during the 2003, Rugby World Cup. Did that result in any interesting or odd stories to tell?
I had a blast there. I did some pretty bizarre gigs though - including one in the middle of a seal pool - (literally on a rock) for the president of new south wales. It was a brilliant trip though and I'll never forget the Wales / New Zealand game it was amazing Wales played out of their skins and we drank til 5 in the morning and then had to fly home.
Q6 So far where has been you favorite place to perform?
I did play the Albert Hall with Jeff Beck for two nights and that was pretty amazing - but honestly you can't beat gigs at home - when I play Cardiff it's always really special.
Q7 What is your favorite haunt in Wales?
I spent a lot of time in Moelfre on Anglesey recording an album and it is still the most beautiful place on earth to me - absolute paradise!
Q8 What are your dreams and ambitions for the future?
I just want to carry on making my living with music - I am lucky that I get to do this everyday and I hope I always will.
Q9 What do you think is the best way for Wales to go about raising its profile overseas?
Just to be true to itself. There is so much talent here that goes un-noticed - Wales needs to have a bit of confidence hopefully the likes of Duffy will pave the way for more people to get noticed.
Q10 - Do you have any messages for our AmeriCymru readers?
Really hope to see some of you in the future at gigs - and if you are at South by southwest please come and say hello.
For more information about Amy please visit her website at: www.amywadge.com or her MySpace site at: www.myspace.com/amywadge
What the papers have to say:
'Pint sized poetess with valley quaking voice. Her songs have a raw vibrancy that suit her earthy voice and emotionally mature lyrics' - Q magazine
'The new Joni Mitchell, with her distinctive voice and well-crafted songs' The London Evening Standard
'The Voice of her generation - a star is born' - Ouest-France
By David L. Parry
Leading West Wales Brewer Evan-Evans has launched a new bottle beer for St. David's Day.
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Cwrw is already an award winning cask ale and Champion Best Bitter of Wales, and is now available in a bottle. The beer is brewed by Simon Buckley and his team at Llandeilo, West Wales, and is set to become the new National Drink of Wales.
Simon Buckley, 51, a member of Wales' oldest brewing family, said: "Cwrw is a firm favourite with consumers throughout Wales. It is a brand leader for our brewery, and now that it is available in bottle will have wider distribution, and be available to consumers throughout Wales. The beer has been widely trialled over the winter months with specialist focus groups, and has received rave reviews. This is quality ale from a team with a proven track record of producing beers which reflect the true taste of Wales. We already have a reputation for producing quality cask conditioned beers. Now we are embarking on an exciting new venture which sees us producing bottle beers for the first time. This is a bold move for Evan-Evans as a company but one which reflects our confidence in our products. Now Welsh men and women have an ideal ale to drink on St. David's day, Cwrw is set to become the new National drink of Wales, and one that every Patriot should drink."
Cwrw facts:
The new bottled Cwrw is an evolution of the highly-successful cask beer.
Cwrw is a 4.2% premium ale, with a distinctive eye-catching label.
It is a rich, malty beer with a distinctive fruity palette.
The beer is being launched in 500ml NRB bottles.
The product comes in 12 bottle shrink-wrap trays.
