Well, its time for another blog entry – I have not written one in a while, my apologies!
Its been a busy few months to be honest! It all started off in Ireland representing Wales over the Easter Holidays as a music and harp judge.
The Pan Celtic Festival is held every year in Ireland, and this year event was in Dingle again and I traveled over with the Welsh choirs.
One of the competitions I was judging was the international song contest which included the successful “Can i Gymru” song, sung by Tesni Jones “Rhiwyn yn Rhywle” written by Brigyn. Brigyn came with us to Ireland and performed their winning song as Tesni was not able to attend to represent Wales for the event.
Brigyn came first in this competition although I was not allowed to judge the Welsh song (for obvious reasons).
The events are not all about competitions and there is a lot of fun to be had there. The highlight of the week is the Welsh Night on the Friday night, where all the choirs (this year we had about 5 choirs from Wales) perform at the venue, soloists, bands, dancers. I performed a solo as well and so too did Gwenan Gibbard the other Welsh judge at the festival – and as a special treat we performed a harp duet for the audience – a harp duet on the same harp, which you have to see and hear to believe it. Above all its all good fun though!
After retuning home it was straight on to rehearse for the Urdd Festival – this year held in Swansea. I was down as an accompanist for the Cerdd Dant section – so a busy week there.
It did not stop after that. between everything its been one thing after the other.
Being a soloist in concerts, its great to meet up with different people. This month has been one where I’ve performed with about 7 different choirs… and I’ve enjoyed each and every one of them.
My first concert with the Male Voice Choirs was on May 26th with the Penrhyn Male Voice Choir at St Johns Methodist Church, Llandudno.
My second concert was in Ystradgynlais, Nr Swansea on May 28th. I was taking part in a concert with Côrdydd from Cardiff, alongside Catrin Angharad Roberts, David Doidge, Llio Evans. We set off at about 10am from Colwyn Bay to get down to Swansea, performed at the concert and drove all the way back. This was a concert i really wanted to be part of as it was organised by Aled Hopton – again an old friend and it was all in aid of a very good cause. See the previous posts in the blog for more information and don’t forget to take a look at the gallery pages for some photographs!
There was no rest for me on the Sunday 29th as I was performing at a wedding of a friend of ours, Sophie and Greg from Colwyn Bay, who were getting married at the Family Estate in Nercwys. Later that afternoon we traveled back down to Swansea as I had arranged a piece for a harp ensemble from Conwy and they had gone through to the finals at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, so I went along to support Lisa Butler and her girls (and tuning 5 harps for her) all good fun!
What happened next? – oh yes, we traveled back up north for a few days for other work commitments, then yet again another trip down, Wednesday 1st June where we stayed until the Saturday. This time I was accompanying the Cerdd Dant Section at the Urdd Eisteddfod and we had lovely weather – helps a lot during the Eisteddfod week.
Then on Thursday 9th June, I was back in Llandudno at the St John’s Methodist Church and performing with “The Dalesman Choir” from Derby – They were here performing concert tour up in North Wales, The Venue was full with all the seats taken!
On the 11th June it was time for the duet PIANTEL to perform. This was a concert arranged by the Glyndwr Male Voice Choir, held at St Asaph Cathedral – three choirs, Piantel and Ann Atkinson Mezzo Soprano. Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir, Bro Glyndwr, and a guest choir from Holland. The finale was brilliant with all three choirs singing “Gwahoddiad”!
The last concert of the week was on Sunday 12th June. This was in Criccieth with Côr Eifionydd, and Côr Aelwyd Chwilog with Piantel. Côr Eifionydd are celebrating 25 years of being together and were releasing a new CD as part ot the Anniversary Celebrations. Piantel were invited to perform but Annette couldn’t be present at the last minute so I gave a Solo recital so not to let the Piantel followers down!!
It was back home to check the diary and complete a harp arrangement for the HarmoniX Trio I perform with. We have a special anniversary party celebration coming soon and we are are performing, so I’ve arranged a piece especially for the Trio to perform at the party.
I’ve got a few more concerts this month so I have plenty more rehearsing to do as well as now thinking about preparing for my new CD to be released in October (ish) more details to follow on that – and Piantel are going into SAIN to record in July for a September/October release as well – so plenty to do!
Right enough for today! I think I’ve brought you all up to speed with things as they are at the moment….keep checking out the blog and also make sure you check out the diary pages regularly for information on upcoming events and don’t forget you can contact me with the links on the site if you would like more information or a booking for your event.