PUTTING YOUR TALENT TO THE TEST

The Eistdeddfod has long been a storied tradition in Wales and, since 1994, at the North American Festival of Wales as well. Thus, every year we run competitions in singing and (poetic) recitation, mostly with a focus on the language of heaven, i.e., Welsh, and offer cash prizes and trophies to the winners. At the same time, simply competing has proven to be an award in itself as experienced, professional-caliber adjudicators offer a very meaningful,personal critique to each competitor to help them in continuing to cultivate their innate and developing talents. This year, we are lucky to have among our adjudicators the Three Welsh Tenors, who already are performing on Thursday, August 29, at the NAFOW Opening Concert but also have graciously offered their time and wealth of experience - for our two Solo Voice competitions (see below).

The recitation competitions include Youth Recitation (with a set piece in English), Learners' Recitation (for adults relatively new to Welsh, with a set piece in Welsh) and Adult Recitation
(for adults with some demonstrated Welsh proficiency, also with a set piece in Welsh). The Learners' category is new for 2013, as we aim to draw on a burgeoning interest shown by people learning the language through the online resource, Say Something in Welsh, as well as other learners.

On offer for the singing competitions are Hymn Singing, Solo Voice and Solo Voice/Semi- professional. Hymn Singing involves a single piece in Welsh, while the others involve two pieces each where at least one must be in Welsh. The Solo Voice/Semi-professional competition is distinct in offering the David Morris Memorial Award, which includes a cash prize to send the winner to compete where it all began... at the next National Eisteddfod in Wales ! Several Morris winners have gone on to great success in Wales, including Catrin Rowenna Davies, who won first prize in Mezzo-soprano at the National in Vale of Glamorgan just last year.

We would love to see you come and compete... you never know where it might lead ! It is certainly as much fun as it is rewarding. As is the custom, our winners will also perform at an
Eisteddfod Concert on Saturday, August 31, which is normally very well-attended and well-received.

For more information, see NAFOW Program Eisteddfod

or send an email to Alan Upshall or Ian Samways at eisteddfod@nafow.org.

Ian K. Samways

The Fairmount Royal York Hotel Toronto,

venue of the North American Festival of Wales 2013