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Sunday, 22 June 2008, Bryn Seion Welsh Church in Beavercreek, Oregon held its 73rd Gymanfa Ganu.A Gymanfa Ganu (guh-MAN-va GA-nee), is a Welsh "sing gathering" performing hymns in Welsh, sung in four-part harmony by all the attendees, under the direction of a choral director. Welsh communities in countries all over the world hold their own Gymanfa Ganu. In the US, a national Gymanfa Ganu is held by the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (WNGGA) .
In the United States, the Gymanfa Ganu was a way for many Welsh Americans to hold and share their cultural heritage, preserve their language in a majority-English speaking country and unite their communities. It's still that today, a means of coming together to celebrate and enjoy being Welsh.
Bryn Seion is the oldest Welsh church on the west coast, delivering services in its community for more than 100 years. Welsh immigrants to the Portland area settled in the fertile farm community of Beavercreek, sent for friends and family to join them and then wanted a church of their own to conduct services and to sing as a community. In 1884, Bryn Seion Welsh Church was built by that community, on land donated by one of its members.
The Gymanfa leader and soloists stand at the podium, under Welsh and American flags. Next to the podium sits and Eistedfodd chair inscribed, "Eistedfodd, Talaeth Wash. 1890". Reasearch is still being done into the origins of this chair but so far the story seems to be that a member of a Welsh church in Washington state won this chair, then gave it to a family member who was a parishioner of Bryn Seion, who then made a gift of the chair to the church.
The Eisteddfod is a traditional Welsh festival of poetry, music and dance, held in Wales and all over the world. Chairs like this were traditionally given as prizes.
Attendees at the Bryn Seion Gymanfa Ganu come from all over the state of Oregon, from other states and other countries. Gymanfa Director Tim Dyck and the attendees were accompanied by Harpist Annette Pritchard and Organist Beverly Ratajak. The participants sit in the church's pews to sing from hymn books in English and Welsh. Whether you know Welsh or not, there's an invigorating, quiet beauty in holding those lyrics in your hands and singing them with a group of people just like you, all there for the same purpose: to revel in being Welsh, to whatever degree, for the moment. And to hear beautiful song in Welsh.
If you're interested in finding a Gymanfa Ganu in your area, see the WNGGA site link, above. That site also has links to purchase hymn books in Welsh-English and an edition with the Welsh lyrics rendered phonetically.
Bryn Seion's Gymanfa Ganu is held every fourth Sunday in June, at the church's address on Kamrath Road in Beavercreek, near the intersections of Cymry Lane and Swansea Lane. The first day's service and singing are at 11:00 AM, the second at 2:00 PM which is followed by a te bach ("small tea"), then the third at 6:00 PM. Singing is in English and Welsh, no experience necessary, only enthusiasm. All are welcome.
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
We urge all our readers and members to sign the petition linked below
From the page:-
We, the undersigned, call upon Gwynedd Council to remove the Welsh history exhibition from the public lavatory at Abergwyngregyn.
We feel that both the quality and location of this exhibition degrade the history of Wales in a shameful way.
We cannot imagine any other country placing such an exhibition in a public lavatory.
An open letter to CADW from the chief petitioner:-
Open Letter to Cadw:
Re: your exhibition about the cartoon Princes of Gwynedd, located in a public lavatory just off the A55
How is it possible for an organisation charged with the preservation of a nations heritage to then treat it with such disrespect? As a patriotic Welshman with a developed interest in my nations history and culture, I am revolted and the frankly bizarre decision to place... an exhibition about the Princes of Gwynedd in .... a public lavatory! You have made our history, culture and indeed our nation itself into a laughing stock throughout the world. Browse the Internet and discover how people are reacting!
Your decision at Abergwyngregyn (to use the post-conquest name) is incomprehensible at the least level as a waste of public money and has made me deeply ashamed and angry. Please consider my long-standing life membership of your organisation void and terminated.
I hope one day soon that those responsible for this tasteless travesty and poorly produced vulgar farce will be made publicly accountable. Your badly produced, childish and ill-sited garbled cartoons have insulted Welsh people everywhere and devalued a proud heritage.
Yours with complete disrespect,
Dafydd Bullock
Gorsedd y Beirdd
The film is an exciting and original horror / thriller that touches upon many topical issues including social media crime, identity theft, cyber bullying, voyeurism, peer pressure, and child abduction.
Played out in an intense, almost real-time situation, the film explores the dark consequences of posting too much personal information online and how in the world of the internet, nothing is quite what it seems.
So climb aboard, buckle up and get ready for a hell of a ride......"
The producers are looking for WebCam clips for inclusion in the movie. Website here:- http://www.panicbuttonmovi e.com/#/home/4539057941
Stone Soup Theatre Presents A Child’s Christmas in Wales Adapted from the story by Dylan Thomas
By Ceri Shaw, 2012-10-24
Back to Christmas In Wales
One of the most enduring, yet oft-forgot holiday memoirs, Dylan Thomas A Childs Christmas in Wales comes to life, again, at Stone Soup Theatre, recreating the nostalgic times of Thomas childhood Christmas when everything was brighter, better, and more alive. Come experience a slice of Dylans memories and find your own in the colorful characters, family dynamics, and live Christmas music in Stone Soups new version of this holiday classic, performed by both youth conservatory graduates and seasoned professionals, guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike!
The production begins with a $10 preview on December 6 at 7:30pm and runs through December 24th. Showtimes are as follows: 7:30 performances on all Fri/Sat evenings; 2pm matinees on the following days: Sat & Sun, 12/9, 12/15, 12/16, and 12/22; and 12:30 and 4pm performances on Sun & Mon, 12/23 12/24. Ticket prices are $20 for a single ticket and $18 apiece for a group 4 or more.
Tickets are available for purchase by phone at the Stone Soup Box Office at (206) 633-1883 or at www.brownpapertickets.com , 800-838-3006.
About Stone Soup Theatre: Seattles only one-act theatre company dedicated to the preservation of the one-act play. We present professionally mounted productions, youth conservatory training, summer camps, and after school programs. Stone Soup is a part of the 4Culture Touring Arts Roster. For more information, log on to our website at www.stonesouptheatre.org .
"Welsh language seeing red over voiceover plans" Tory plans to 'destroy' S4C?
By Ceri Shaw, 2010-10-04
Perhaps 'Eastenders' would be a suitable candidate for 'dubbing'. What isthe Welsh for 'cor blimey 'guv, you're a toff and no mistake" ?
John and Steve met on a recording session several years ago and since then, they have crafted a half dozen CDs of their own. They have delighted audiences of every imaginable kind with their songs and instrumentals drawn from the inexhaustible wellsprings of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and North America. The music is infectious, ranging from the breathless jigs, reels and hornpipes, through the more relaxed popular songs, all the way along to the ballads and airs. They have performed on network television and have been favorably received locally and nationally by the media.
more......
We have launched our Christmas pages early on AmeriCymru this year.
Our Buy Welsh For Christmas page is available for anyone who wishes to advertise Welsh/Welsh-American gifts, books, music etc for sale on the site. Why not email americymru@gmail.com ( or reply in comments below ) to reserve your spot? Suggested donation price of $5 per ad. All ads will run till December 31st. Book now to allow time for transatlantic shipping etc.
Our Christmas In Wales page will feature a cornucopia of festive treats:-
#f00; font-seze: 150%;"> Croeso/Welcome to our 2012 Christmas page. We'll be packing it full of festive goodies as the big day approaches.
Meanwhile if you are looking to buy gifts from Wales or the UK, why not visit our Buy Welsh For Christmas page or visit our sponsor, Wise Choice British Foods . Christmas is traditionally a time of giving and we are pleased to offer our readers a chance to spread some holiday cheer to the children of the Welsh American community of Briceville, Tennessee .
Anyone who has anything they'd like to contribute, or that they'd like to see linked from this page, please contact americymru@gmail.com. Keep checking back for Welsh stories, features, recipes, music and more. Don't forget to wish everyone Nadolig Llawen/Merry Christmas on our Christmas Greetings page .
