Teacher who taught in Llan is runner-up in prestige Eisteddfod competition

A supply teacher who taught in Llangollen came within a whisker of winning one of the main prizes at an international festival even though it was her first ever solo competition.

Soprano Rachel Marsh, 24, (pictured) was a runner up in Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

She revealed that she used to dream of winning the prestigious title when driving past the Eisteddfod field on her way to work at the town’s Ysgol Bryn Collen.

Although she has been singing in choirs ever since she was in school, the only recently started taking lessons to become a soloist.

In the event Charlotte Hoather, 24, from Winsford in Cheshire was crowned the winner and was presented with the brand new Pendine Trophy, a solid silver salver, and a cheque for £5,000 by Mario Kreft MBE, proprietor of the arts loving sponsor, the Pendine Park care organisation.

Rachel, from Wrexham, and fellow runner up, tenor Mark Christian Bautista, 26, of Calamba, in the Philippines each presented £2,500 cheques.

The international competition attracted a record number of 43 hopefuls try to impress judges at a preliminary competition, with the three finalists making it onto the main Llangollen pavilion stage for contest.

Mr Kreft and his wife, Gill, pledged to contribute £5,000 to the International Voice of the Future competition through their Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives, with a further £3,000 coming from the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation and £2,000 from the Eisteddfod.

Rachel was thrilled she had done so well in her first ever solo competition which attracted the finest young singers from across the world.

She said: “I have been singing in choirs as long as I can remember and then began solo lessons with Anne Williams King of North Wales Opera. I studied linguistics at the University of Manchester and then did a primary school teaching course.

“I have been a supply teacher for the past few years and spent a year teaching at Ysgol Bryn Collen in Llangollen. I used to pass the pavilion and dream of winning the Pendine Voice of the Future title.

“I have performed at Llangollen before but in a choir competition.”

She added: “The preliminary round was hard but the final was nerve wracking. To be honest it was my first competition and I’ll be back. I thought Charlotte was amazing and, in truth, she really nailed it and deserved to win.”

Still pinching herself in disbelief, a thrilled Charlotte Hoather said she would be using the prize money to further her career.

She said: “I just want to sing opera; it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. My dad went to school in Wales and my granddad had a B&B in Llandudno so we used to visit Llangollen quite a lot.

“I entered the same competition as few years ago at Llangollen and came third, that was in 2012. But the prize money now is amazing and will help me pay for more lessons and to go to auditions in other countries.

“It’s life changing and gives me the security I needed. It’s about building a career now and I need to produce some videos to send out through the Young Artist programme to international opera companies.”

Charlotte studied for two years at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester before moving to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she completed her undergraduate studies and has now just finished a master’s degree at London’s Royal; College of Music.

She said: “The preliminary competition was tough and the standard was incredibly high. I have made real friends with Rachel and Mark. The atmosphere has been lovely and to win has just been amazing.”

Mr Kreft said: “I believe we have seen a star born this evening as Charlotte Hoather’s performance was simply breath-taking and spectacularly talented. However, Rachel Marsh and Mark Christian Bautista also put in stunning performances too.

“The fact that Rachel performed so brilliantly in her first ever solo competition is a brilliant achievement that almost defies belief. She will go far.

“Our aim in supporting the competition in conjunction with Sir Bryn Terfel is to provide a springboard for brilliant young singers from around the world to achieve their dreams of establishing a career on the global stage.

“The competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike.”

“I hope the recognition Charlotte and the other two finalists will deservedly get after this competition will help them in their chosen careers and we see all three fulfil their ambitions of becoming major opera stars.”

He added: “Gill and I are also delighted that from this year there is a new Pendine trophy to go with the competition. The new engraved silver trophy will remain at Llangollen and will be engraved with the name of the annual winner on the reverse.

“The trophy, which is solid Edwardian silver bearing a Chester hallmark, has been kindly donated by Chester jewellers Tony and Julie Kaye of Kaye’s Jewellers. It’s a stunning and beautiful trophy.”

All three finalists, according to the festival’s music director, Vicky Yannoula, were amazing.
She said: “The standard of performance we witnessed from all three finalists was exceptional. Their personalities really came out and they are very serious about what they do and where they want their careers to go.

“Singing in a competition such as the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition isn’t just about standing in front of a piano and singing, it’s about a performance. And that what each gave the adjudicators and audience.

“We are indebted to Mario and Gill Kreft, the Bryn Terfel Foundation and the Eisteddfod for giving us something memorable, something very special. We have witnessed the birth of three new opera careers.”

    * Winner Charlotte Hoather from Winsford in Cheshire

is presented with the Pendine award from Pendine's Mario Kreft

 

Another day of exciting Eisteddfod action

* International Voice of Musical Theatre winner Mared Williams celebrates her victory.

There was more colourful Eisteddfod action on and off the field, some of which was captured by llanblogger.

A Welsh performer has been named Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s International Voice of Musical Theatre for 2018.

Mared Williams, aged 21, wowed audiences and adjudicators with her performances of “So Big / So Small”,  “Pulled” from The Addams Family and “Being Alive” on the stage of the Royal International Pavilion in the competition’s final.

As winner of the coveted title she will receive an international Medal, £1,500 prize money and the opportunity to perform at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod in Australia in October 2018. The all-expenses paid trip is funded by the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

Mared fought off tough competition in the preliminary rounds of the competition, which took place in Llangollen Methodist Church on Tuesday, landing a place in the final alongside Kade Bailey from Canada and Megan-Hollie Roberson from Wales.

Adjudicators Kate Edgar and Sarah Wigley placed Kade in second for his rendition of “She Loves Me”, while Megan-Hollie came third, with her wonderful performance. 

Sarah Wigley said: “Mared provided an absolutely captivating and enthralling performance which showcased her ability to communicate with the audience, her passion for being on stage as well as her national vocal ability and range.”

Mared said: “Having been placed third last year, it’s really exciting to see my progression into first place this year, and I’m really proud to be able to represent Wales at the Eisteddfod”.

The Gold Coast Eisteddfod features over 70,000 singers and dancers, 330 bands and orchestras, 175 choirs, almost 1,500 dance groups and over 3,000 solo dancers. 

Judith Ferber, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod’s General Manager, said: “We would like to congratulate Mared on their fantastic performance at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen. We look forward to her performing in the Musicale and allowing us to continue our celebration of international musical talent and of our long-standing relationship with the festival.”

Music Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Vicky Yannoula, added: “Mared gave a stunning performance for the audience and adjudicators during this year’s competition and we would like to congratulate her on being named the International Voice of Musical Theatre 2018.

“Our relationship with the Gold Coast Eisteddfod helps us to further raise the international profile of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, as well as providing a springboard for exciting musical careers. We would like to thank Judith and the team for their continued support and friendship.”

Further action ... 

* The Kyklos dance troupe from Canada and Greece (above and below) go through the traditional paces on the

newly-opened Centenary Square, which was attracting
large and appreciative audiences throughout the day.

* On an outside stage at the field, two members of North Wales Opera Studio give a gripping performance.

* The Cathays Brass band from Cardiff, who has earlier been competing on the main stage, come outside to entertain with a Latin rhythm.

Earlier in the week this year’s Peace Message, written by Christine Dukes for the third consecutive year, marked the centenary of the end of World War One and told the tale of sightings of the ‘Angels of Mons’ who were reputed to have appeared to both Allied and German forces in their time of need in 1914.

Concluding with a peace song called Peace at Last, written by Christine and composed by Elen Mair Roberts, Chair of the Music and Staging Committee of the Eisteddfod, the performance remains a poignant reminder of the message at the heart of the festival.

* Tomorrow (Friday) sees the traditional and highly colourful Eisteddfod parade, from the field to the town centre, starting at 4.30pm.

* Students from Ysgol Dinas Bran who delivered the Peace Message.

* For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod visit www.llangollen.net and for more information about The Gold Coast Eisteddfod visit www.goldcoasteisteddfod.com.au/

Skates: Why I won't be standing for Labour leadership

* Ken Skates AM, right, with Mark Drakeford and centre

staff at the opening of Llangollen Health Centre.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has issued a statement about why he's decided rule himself out of the Labour leadership contest and why he's decided to back his colleague Mark Drakeford instead.

He says:

When considering the question of whether I wanted to stand as the next leader of Welsh Labour, the question foremost on my mind was that of purpose.

Could I achieve what I want to do as an elected member of the Assembly only from the position of leading Welsh Labour, with nobody else at the helm but me?

After much careful thought, the conclusion I reached was that this simply wasn’t the case.

With the right person leading both the party and the government, I feel it is entirely possible for me to be able to deliver the changes that I believe are necessary for us to be a more tolerant, contented, healthier and compassionate nation.

This led me to consider what it is I would want from a leader that I’d be happy to support. It would have to be someone with a positive, internationalist and inclusive view of the world.

Someone determined to lead a fellowship of progressive hearts and minds against the backdrop of a looming Brexit, with the ongoing impact of austerity biting deeper and with political upheaval around us leading to deep uncertainty.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, I felt the right person had to be a positive, experienced and strong bridge to the future. Their qualities should include an inbuilt moral compass to guide us through the opportunistic, volatile politics of today.

They should have a deep and demonstrable understanding of the threats and challenges posed by our exit from the EU. They should be able to unite people around positive change for the future where everyone can see the common purpose and, finally, they should have the emotional intellect to connect with people, as well as the intellectual capacity to process unprecedented challenges.

Against that criteria I could only conclude that Mark Drakeford is that person and that I absolutely want to be a pillar in supporting his bridge to a better tomorrow.

Another prime consideration was that of the future development of - and investment in - North Wales. I know Mark understands the need to address the concerns expressed over the divide between the North and the South and to ensure the North has a strong voice, as well as the ability to flex its own economic muscles.

In an age when too many politicians feel they need to be dogmatically absolute and hysterically alarmist in order to be noticed, Mark offers a very welcome antidote - calm pragmatism, guided by clear and consistent principles.

Finally, whilst I’m sure there are many people who’d argue personal ambition is good, Mark’s ambition isn’t for himself, but for others. That’s the sort of quality I look for in my friends and colleagues. It’s the same quality I want in the person at the helm of our party and government. On a personal note, Mark has been a brilliant comrade since I was elected.

Through the good times and the tough - especially the latter - he’s given me support and superb advice. I’ve made some difficult decisions in my time in this particular portfolio but having the backing of Mark has often been critical in seeing them through. That’s another attribute I admire that is required in a leader, a calm determination to do what’s right, even when the wind of opposition and opportunism blows fiercely in your face.

So, whilst my other colleagues each have great skills and abilities - hopefully I have a few too - it’s in Mark that I see the best example of a leader who can steer us through the storm ahead. Brexit is the big issue of our age and Wales needs a captain to see us through it safely.

What it was like to do the Big Sing Along

* Coleen Nolan and Amber Davies lead the sing along from the Eisteddfod stage.

It was like performing in a massive karaoke session.

There I was with probably thousands of other people belting out the famous Beatles number With a Little Help From My Friends at the top of my voice.

And, unlike a normal karaoke session, I was doing it on live TV with the famous telly star Coleen Nolan as conductor.

I’d signed for free tickets up to take part in something called the Big Sing Along in which thousands of people at various locations across the UK - and also in Paris for some odd reason – were last night bidding to break the record for the largest number of individuals singing the same song at once.

And the reason for this crazy challenge was to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the National Health Service.

Venues for the sing along included our own Llan Eisteddfod where the attempt was slotted in at the end of the Classical Collection evening concert.

When that excellent piece of professional entertainment finished around 9.40pm every audience member by pre-arrangement had been asked to stay behind to perform something perhaps a little less polished.

As we filed into the big tent before the concert began we were carefully counted by stewards and, before the challenge started, counted again to account for any “deserters”.

The tally was necessary to determine exactly how many people would be taking part as numbers singing would be crucial to whether or not we had set the record.

It was a pleasant surprise as we all sat there in expectation to hear it announced that Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan and Amber Davies, one of the contestants from Love Island, would be coming on stage to lead the attempt.

Joining them on stage were a small army of people who had performed in the concert, backstage helpers, members of local choirs and, most importantly, a contingent of staff from the local NHS, many in uniform, who came on to loud applause from the rest of us.

After a quick practice following the words to the song which came up on the two huge side-screens we went live in ITV being led by a bevy of stars who had assembled at the Abbey Road studios in London where many of the Beatles’ hits were recorded – although we couldn’t see all that from Llangollen.

Then the words on the screens rolled, the music struck up and we started to warble along.

It was quite fun joining in and we were getting into the spirit of things by swaying and waving our arms in the air (vaguely) in time to that famous sixties tune.

All too soon it was over. We were then counted again to check the numbers who had been singing before being released into the night.

It wasn’t until I got back home and watched a re-run of the show that I learned to my disappointment that we hadn’t set the record - but it had been fun and for an excellent cause.         

Town's new Centenary Square has its first outing

* An African dancer invites two young ladies from

the crowd to join him in some action in the new Centenary Square.  

Llangollen's newly-completed Centenary Square was used for the first time this afternoon (Wednesday) by performers from the Eisteddfod.

The prestige facility at the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street had only just been finished by contractors when it was tried out by dance groups from Africa and India.

Members of the public gathered round to watch the performances and some of them were invited to take part in the action, including town crier Chem and a group from the Town Council.

Over at St Collen's Church the day's free @One concert featured the Calgary Girls Choir and - on their country's Independence Day - the New Jersey Youth Chorus.

Meanwhile, on the Eisteddfod field a key attraction was the tenth annual Inclusion Project.

Facilitated by a grant from the ScottishPower Foundation, the performance to reflect the diversity of society and the International Eisteddfod’s ethos of promoting understanding and acceptance though music and dance.

This year the participating groups weree Ysgol Tir Morfa, a community special school in Rhyl that caters for pupils aged 3 – 19 years with a wide range of additional learning needs, specialist school St Christopher’s in Wrexham, Derwen on Tour (DOT), a group of  creative studies students from Derwen College, Gobowen, Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn from Denbigh, North Wales’ regional centre for autism education, and the Theatretrain Regional Choir from Mold. 

* Indian dancers try out the square as a large crowd looks on.

* A group from the Town Council, including town crier Chem, celebrate the completion of their Centenary Square project by joining the Indian dance group.

Care home residents sing with Only Boys Aloud

* Charley Barber, Nyx Neash and Sophie Potts from Ysgol Y Gwernant in Llangollen.

* Only Boys Aloud perform.

* Resident Gwen Davies-Barrett enjoys the singing.

Singing care home residents attracted bumper crowds as they teamed up with renowned choir Only Boys Aloud for a day long workshop at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The residents of Pendine Park care organisation’s homes in Wrexham, were a star attraction as they helped fill a large marquee with non-stop music.

Strains of Yellow Submarine and My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean could be heard resounding around the tent, tempting an array of passer-by to call in and listen.

At one point an extra loud chorus of Happy Birthday filled the air as it was discovered three people in the marquee at the same time all had birthdays.

The delighted trio were Pendine Park artist in residence Sarah Edwards, young audience member Gwersyllt Primary School pupil Ethan Davies, and Eisteddfod photographer John Evans who had stopped by to capture some magical moments on film. He never expected one of those moments would be his own.

Sarah Edwards who organised the event said it was one of the most vibrant workshops yet.

She said: “We’ve been blessed with some fantastic weather and everyone is in a cheerful mood ready to sing and get into the musical mood.”

This year is the fifth time the dementia workshop with a musical theme has played a key part of the Eisteddfod programme.

For the dementia workshop school parties were invited into the marquee to join music sessions throughout the day. It offered the chance to interact with Pendine Park residents and members of the Only Boys Aloud (OBA) choir.

The choir, led by Only Boys Aloud North Wales project manager, Eleri Watkins, included young choristers from Holyhead, Caernarfon, Wrexham and Rhyl OBA branches. They first performed a short concert before going on to join sing-a-long sessions.

Leading the sing-a-longs were freelance musician and singer Morgana Warren-Jones, of Bangor, and Holyhead High School music teacher and pianist Andy Thomas, of Bangor.

Both were thrilled to be helping with the workshop for the first time.

Andy said: “This is a lovely idea and cross-generational. We’ve got the very young here and the very old, both gaining a huge amount of enjoyment from the music.”

In the weeks prior to the workshop the care home residents spent time tuning up for the event with the help of top mezzo soprano Jenny Pearson and pianist Annette Bryn Parri who plays regularly for international opera star Welsh-born Sir Bryn Terfel.

The two spent time at Pendine Park taking residents through rehearsals of songs they planned to sing on the workshop day.

Pendine Park care organisation is a long-term backer of the festival via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which supports nearly 30 arts and community initiatives.

Among them is the prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future which is another highlight of the Eisteddfod.

Pendine Park owner and director Mario Kreft said the workshop was a great way for the care home residents to mix with young people whose enthusiasm for music was boundless.

He said: “There’s no denying music is infectious. Young and old gain great pleasure from it so what better medium for them to come together and celebrate at an event like the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Its basic premise is bringing different communities together.”

For 69 year old Hillbury Care Home resident Dianne Morris, the day was full of joy, as much of her life has revolved around music.

She was a long-standing member of Mold Choral Society for many years, took part in an operatic production of Carmen and has performed on stage with different music groups in Blackpool, Southport, Ellesmere Port and Liverpool.

She said: “Oh I love to sing and to listen to others singing. Music gladdens my heart.”

Fellow resident Gwen Davies Barratt, 88, also sang with local choirs in Wrexham in younger years.

She said: “This has been a wonderful day. It’s so good to sing with the children and to hear Only Boys Aloud perform – unforgettable.”

Among the many school parties who visited the tent were Ysgol Gwernant, of Llangollen.

Alfie Boe hammers home a memorable performance

* Alfie Boe belts out a number during his Eisteddfod concert.

Alfie Boe declared towards the finale of his smash-hit concert at the Eisteddfod last night (Tuesday) that it was the “best gig of my life”.

However, he admitted that his judgment had been slightly coloured by England’s World Cup victory over Colombia of which he was loudly informed by a member of the audience who’d been watching the match on his phone.

Not that the international singing star hadn’t been keeping in touch with developments in Russia himself – throughout the sell-out concert he’d been taking quick glances at a monitor at the front of the stage rigged up to show the action solely to him at the flip of a lid.  

The performance of over two hours set off at a cracking page as Boe leapt onto the stage to belt out two pulsing jazzy numbers from his latest album, Swing Swing and Best of All I’ve Got My Baby.

Perhaps not something his more traditional fans expected but then he did explain at a number of points that he likes to dart from musical style to style.

And that he did throughout the night, with more red hot jazz, country and plain hard rock all on liberal offer.

Not to disappoint the traditionalists there was a moving presentation of the number from Les Mis that helped make him famous, Bring Him Home, which prompted a partial standing ovation.

* Boe gets a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd.

Next up came a collection of the Italian material which also helped make his name. In the line-up had to be Volare one note of which he delivered so strongly that it almost bored into your soul.

It was during this number that he learned England had scored their first goal, which sent him hopping about the stage with glee and gave fresh impetus – if any were needed – to his delivery of Mambo Italiano.

As he turned his attention to country-style songs there was another memorable moment as Boe encouraged Eisteddfod president Terry Waite, sitting as always in the front row, to stand up and help him with the intro of one number, and this the old peacemaker did with perhaps surprising aplomb and gusto.

Later the star stopped another song to request that a pen be brought out to him so he could have Terry sign his guitar – telling the audience he’d have it up on an E-bay later.

There was another switch of style as he presented a couple of powerful songs, including the thumping A Thousand Years, from the award-winning album he did not long ago with fellow singing legend Michael Ball.

Working with Ball, he told us, had been his personal contribution to Help the Aged.

Numbers from his new solo album came flowing out like rich wine just before the cry went out from the watcher in the crowd that England had beaten down the Colombians on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter finals.     

As a result things went a bit wild both on stage and in the jam-packed auditorium as Boe and his excellent 10-piece band plus three backing singers cannoned out a couple of old The Who numbers from Quadraphenia.

After that it all became a bit of a blur as that sledgehammer of a voice slammed out more and more of the good stuff.

Just when you thought he didn’t have anything left to give he jumped down from the stage and embarked on a couple of laps of honour through the cheering crowd, sort of taking part in his own standing ovation.

This is a man who gives value for money.