Male, Female, Mixed, Chamber and Youth Choirs go head-to-head to win 5,000 prize fund

The Search for 40 Choirs closes 1 ^st of November!

Llangollen International Eisteddfods Musical Dire ctor calls for Wales, Scottish and Irish based choirs to sign up and compete: For the past three years we have had more English Choirs competing than any other home nation! Our home nations have such a strong choral tradition Dylan Thomas famously said that we are a musical nation . where are you???!!! To date for 2013 we have applications from choirs from England and also choirs from The Netherlands, The Philippines, Ghana, Russia, and South Korea! But only a hand full from Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Come on Wales, Ireland and Scotland your International Eisteddfod needs you!

Following on from a very successful 2012 Festival, whereby concert ticket sales were up by 2000 on 2011s sales, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfods young and dynamic Musical Director has bold plans and aspirations, he is certainly making his mark on the world-renowned choral competitions at the International Eisteddfod.

NEW & UNIQUE :

• The coveted title of Choir of the World & The Pavarotti Trophy: NEW 2013 GRAND P RIZE OF 5 ,000!
• NEW for 2013: Voice of the Futur e competition : PRIZE FUND 2,000 (inc invitation to perform in a major Eisteddfod concert)
• NEW for 2013: Children s Choir of the World Trophy : PRIZE FUND 500
• NEW FOR 2013: Youth Choir s go head to head with Adult choirs in the choir of the World Competition
• NEW for 2013: Conductors Prize Trophy : PRIZE FUND 250
• New for 2013 : Musical Director Award: awarded to the best performance of a work by a living Composer
• NEW for 2013: NO PRELIMINARY ROUNDS FOR CHOIRS O R DANCE GROUPS
• NEW for 2013: Age restrictions and rules relaxed: Choral applicants will be allowed to have 10% of the choir, marginally over or under the age limi t on the day of the competition

See full details online: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Eilir Owen Griffiths, the Musical Director explaine d: The Choir of the World competition attracts competitors from global Nations, it is respected and coveted World wide. Adding this substantial prize fund was one step towards broadening the competitions appeal, but making the competition accessible to Youth Choirs brings a whole new dimension to the Eisteddfod. It is vital to give a positive platform for our youth to compete in a healthy exiting environment. The new 10% relaxed age rule, opens the competition up to a broader spectrum also, we expect fierce competing from all ages

Eilir Owen Griffiths also announced that for the first time in many years, there will be no preliminary rounds for choirs or dance groups. Eilir Owen Griffiths said As a past competitor at Llangollen myself, I know what a wonderful an experience it is to stand on that World renowned Pavilion stage. Dozens of adult and countless childrens choirs travel, from four corners of the globe to compete at Llangollen International Eisteddfod to rob them of the opportunity to grace the pavilion stage would be a sin! They are committing so much to our Festival by travelling so far, it is only fitting that we return that commitment and we offer huge unique Welsh Welcome by allowing all choirs and dance groups access to our stage.

Phil Davies Chairman said: We felt for those who had travelled so far and did not make it to the stage to compete, therefore we praise this bold decision by Eilir to allow access for ALL to the sta ge .

Further competition detail:

• 40 Choirs will compete for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy in the world renowned Choir of the World Competition.
• The search for the Voice of the Future furthering the sol o career of a young singer under the age of 35
• Musical Director Award, awarded by the Eisteddfod s Musical Director for the best performance of a work by a living Composer.
• Conductors Prize Trophy awarded to the most inspiring Conductor
• Authentic Vocal F olk Ensemble for no more than 10 performers to present a programme of authentic music representative of th eir local or regional tradition

Fees:

• An application fee of 8 0 will be introduced in 2013 for all groups entering the Eisteddfod Competitions
• Solo e ntry remains free
• New opportunity for non-competitive groups to come and perform at the Eisteddfod: application fee 5 0