For the first time in five years, the Colorado Welsh Society (CWS) will host a Gymanfa Ganu (guh-MAHN-vah GAH-nee), which is a hymn singing festival. The event will be held on Sunday, April 25, at 2:30 pm, at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1270 Poplar Street, Denver, 80220 (SW corner of E. 13th Ave. and Quebec).

The audience will be invited to sing, and the CWS Chorale will also perform selected pieces.

Following the singing, there will be a potluck dinner, with tea provided by CWS.

The event is free and open to the public, donations appreciated. People from all backgrounds are invited to experience this uniquely Welsh event.

CWS has invited guest conductor Joe Corbin and guest organist Gordon Krunnfusz, both experienced Gymanfa leaders. Krunnfusz has authored several compositions that are favorites of the CWS Chorale.

The Welsh hymn tradition dates back to at least the 12th century in Wales, where singing in four-part harmony was invented. Singing hymns became a folk tradition, and you can still hear hymns sung in harmony in pubs and at rugby games in Wales.

If you enjoy singing in harmony, this is the event for you. The Welsh hymns are a treat, because the alto and bass lines are often interesting, and the tunes are often minor or modal. But if you would rather stay with the melody, you are still very welcome. You can even just come and listen. Hymns will be in either English or Welsh, and phonetic cues will be given for the Welsh verses.

If you love singing or simply enjoy choral music, plan now to attend on April 25th with family and friends, and experience a taste of Welsh culture in Denver.

Contact Sam Kuntz, 303-886-0632, sam.kuntz@comcast.net, or www.coloradowelshsociety.org for more information.

Background on the Colorado Welsh Society

CWS is a state-wide, non-profit 501c3 organization, dedicated to promoting an appreciation of Welsh culture and heritage, and to providing educational opportunities to learn about Welsh culture, history, and language. Members come from as far as Grand Junction and Nebraska, from Wyoming and La Junta, as well as from the Front Range and the Denver Metro area.

People from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in CWS events. Welsh language classes are offered from October to May in Denver, free to members of the Society. The CWS Chorale and the Welsh Folk Dance Group are actively seeking participants.

Please contact CWS President Sam Kuntz at 303-886-0632, sam.kuntz@comcast.net, or www.coloradowelshsociety.org for more information.