The inaugural Festival of Welsh Music in London took place on 16-17 February 2024. We’re incredibly proud of the success of our sold-out weekend of events.
Here are some highlights:
Côr Eifionydd, Côr Llundain and the London Welsh Chorale filling the Welsh Church of Central London with the rousing sound of Welsh choral music during the Night of the Choirs Concert.
The exceptional performances of our five talented finalists in the London Welsh Young Singer competition
The privilege of having Owain Arwel Hughes, Paul Mealor and Edward-Rhys Harry conduct the choirs and the British Sinfonietta in performances of contemporary Welsh music during the Gala Concert at Regent Hall.
The soaring voice of soprano Jessica Robinson and the exceptional beats of percussionist Zands Duggan adding their wonderful talent to our Gala Concert.
The coming together of four choirs - Côr Eifionydd, The Harry Ensemble, Harlow Chorus and the London Welsh Chorale - to celebrate Karl Jenkins’ 80th birthday through an epic performance of his Symphonic Adiemus.
Friday 16 February - London Welsh Young Singer Preliminaries
The Welsh Church of Central London, Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DJ
Talented, up-and-coming singers each performed some pieces from their repertoires, including a piece sung in the Welsh language, to compete for a place in the London Welsh Young Singer Competition Final.
Friday 16 February - Night of the Choirs
The Welsh Church of Central London, Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DJ
Visiting mixed-voice Welsh choirs showcased their repertoire for a wonderful evening of choral music. Grand finalists from the London Welsh Young Singer Competition also performed to compete for 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes as well as for the Audience Prize.
Saturday 17 February - Gala Concert
Regent Hall, Oxford Street, W1C 2DJ
Four choirs united for a celebration of Welsh music performing:
Gweddi, Arwel Hughes
What Sustains the World? (Py a Gynheil Y Byt?), Edward-Rhys Harry
The Shadows of War, Paul Mealor
Symphonic Adiemus, Karl Jenkins
Night of the Choirs Concert
Choirs: Côr Eifionydd, Côr Llundain, the London Welsh Chorale
Conductors: Pat Jones, Will Thomas, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry
Accompanists: Dafydd Chapman (piano), Will Thomas (organ)
Gala Concert
Conductors: Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Prof. Paul Mealor LVO CSTJ, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry
Soloist: Jessica Robinson
Instrumentalists: Zands Duggan, Aeron Preston, The British Sinfonietta
Choirs: Côr Eifionydd, The Harry Ensemble, Harlow Chorus and the London Welsh Chorale
Find details about the London Welsh Young Singer Competition participants here.
The festival couldn’t have taken place without the support of our kind and generous sponsors:
Geraint and Meurig Bowen donated a prize for the London Welsh Young Singer Competition in memory of their father, Kenneth Bowen, who, following a career as a tenor of international renown, formed the London Welsh Chorale and was its Musical Director from February 1983 to December 2008. He also enjoyed serving as an Adjudicator of many past London Welsh Young Singer competitions.
Emma Davies donated a prize to the London Welsh Young Singer Competition in memory of her partner, Tim Brennan, who sang with the Chorale as a tenor and was a fervent supporter. We miss him hugely.
Paul Foster donated to the Festival in memory of his wife, Jan, who was so supportive of the London Welsh Chorale. We miss her lovely smile beaming out from the front row at every concert.
Geraint Lewis gave invaluable advice on how to run the London Welsh Young Singer Competition, which he helped organise in its former incarnation, and donated towards the running of the this relaunch.
Martin, Baron Thomas of Gresford OBE, KC donated a prize for the London Welsh Young Singer Competition. Martin is the Honorary President of the London Welsh Chorale.
Grateful thanks also for generous donations from: Lisa Carlisle, Ann Green, Kadia Harrison, Bethan Hughes, Haydn and Susan Jones, Elisabeth Siberry, Alison and Terry Stacey, Lynne and Peter Tew, Gwenllian Williams, J Williams, David Young.
Gallery
Friday 16 February 2024
Saturday 17 February 2024