Welsh Singers Competition

Welsh Singers Competition (Welsh: Cystadleuaeth Cantorion Cymreig, previously known as the Welsh Singers Showcase (Welsh: Llwyfan Cantorion Cymreig)), is a biennial singing competition that is held in Cardiff, Wales. The winner of the competition represents Wales in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in the following year.[3] The competition is open to Welsh classical singers aged between 17 and 31.[3] The final of the competition in 2022 was held at The Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff. Previously it has been held at St David's Hall in Cardiff.[1]

Welsh Singers Competition
The official logo
Awarded forSinging
Sponsored byThe Carne Trust, Sickle Foundation
LocationCardiff
CountryWales, United Kingdom
Formerly calledWelsh Singers Showcase,
Young Welsh Singers’ Competition
Reward(s)£5,000 for the winner and represents Wales in the following year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. The other finalists also win a cash prize[1]
First awarded1986 (1986)
WinnerJessica Robinson (2022)
WebsiteOfficial website
Television/radio coverage
NetworkBBC Radio Cymru[2]
S4C (2021–present)

History

The competition was established in 1964 by the Welsh Arts Council as the Young Welsh Singers’ Competition by Roy Bohana, Music Director of the Welsh Arts Council,[4] it was initially held every three years. In 1994 a major change took place when it was decided that the winner would automatically represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World; this necessitated that the competition became biennial. Organisation was passed to Live Music Now, the charity founded by Yehudi Menuhin, which supports young musicians at the start of their careers, by offering them performing opportunities in care homes, hospitals, community settings, schools, libraries and hospices.

In 2015 the competition became independent; by 2018 the name of the competition was changed from the Welsh Singers Competition to the Welsh Singers Showcase and in 2022 it reverted back to its original name of Welsh Singers Competition.[5] In the same year the Welsh Singers Showcase became a registered charity.[6]

Competitions
Bryn Terfel, winner of Welsh Singers Competition in 1988
Year Winner Voice type Other finalists
1986 Buddug Verona James Mezzo-soprano
1988 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone
1990 Neal Davies[7] Bass-baritone
1992 Jeremy Huw Williams[8] Baritone
1994 Eldrydd Cynan Jones Soprano
1996 Gwyn Hughes Jones Tenor[9]
1998 David Kempster Baritone
2000 Joanne Thomas Mezzo-soprano[10]
2002 Elizabeth Donovan Soprano
2004 Camilla Roberts Soprano Fflur Wyn (soprano)
Cecilia Eleri Smiga (tenor)
Mark Chaundy (tenor)[11]
2006 Sarah-Jane Davies Soprano Caryl Hughes (mezzo-soprano)
Paul Carey Jones (baritone)
Alun Rhys Jenkins (tenor)[12]
2008 Natalya Romaniw Soprano Laura Parfitt (soprano)
John Pierce (tenor)
Claire Watkins (soprano)[13][14]
2010 John Pierce Tenor Catrin Aur Davies (soprano)
Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (mezzo)
Samuel Evans (baritone)[14]
2012 Gary Griffiths Baritone Rhian Lois (soprano)
Fflur Wyn (soprano)
Sioned Gwen Davies (mezzo)[15]
2014 Céline Forrest Soprano Samantha Price (mezzo)
Eirlys Myfanwy Davies (mezzo)
Menna Cazel Davies (soprano)
2016 Sioned Gwen Davies Mezzo-soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies (mezzo)
Kieron-Connor Valentine (countertenor)
Samuel Furness (tenor)
Trystan Llŷr Griffiths (tenor)[16]
2018 Angharad Lyddon Mezzo-soprano Sarah Gilford (soprano)
Carly Owen (soprano)
Jessica Robinson (soprano)
Ellen Williams (soprano)
2021 Sarah Gilford Soprano Jessica Cale (soprano)
Rachael Marsh (soprano)
Osian Wyn Bowen (tenor)
Rhys Batt (tenor)
Kieron-Connor Valentine (countertenor)
2022 Jessica Robinson Soprano Dafydd Allen (baritone)
Osian Wyn Bowen (tenor)
Erin Gwyn Rossington (soprano)
Kieron-Connor Valentine (countertenor)

See also

References
  1. "Welsh Singers Showcase-Charity overview". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  2. "Welsh Singers Showcase". St David's Hall. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  3. "Welsh Singers Competition". Welsh Singers Competition. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  4. "Shining legacy of a true man of music". Western Mail. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  5. "Welsh Singers Showcase 2018". Welsh Singers Showcase. Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  6. "Welsh Singers Showcase-Governance". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  7. "Neal Davies (Bass-Baritone) – Short Biography". www.bach-cantatas.com.
  8. "Jeremy Huw Williams".
  9. Hand-picked by a star tenor
  10. Joanne Thomas
  11. "WalesOnline: News, sport, weather and events from across Wales". www.walesonline.co.uk.
  12. "Musical Pointers". musicalpointers.co.uk.
  13. "Goal in sight for top Welsh singer". Media Wales Ltd. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  14. Welsh Singers Competition
  15. ""Next Bryn Terfel" Gary Griffiths to represent Wales at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World". WalesOnline. June 12, 2012.
  16. "Sioned Gwen Davies will represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World". Media Wales Ltd. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
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