SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

Welsh Singers Competition 2008: Call for competitors (BK)


The search has begun for the top new voices in Wales to take to the stage for the Welsh Singers Competition 2008. Supported by HSBC Bank, Chris Ball and The Atlantic Foundation, the Welsh Singers Competition is arranged by Live Music Now! Wales in association with BBC Cymru Wales and with the support of The Arts Council of Wales.

The winner,  who will represent Wales in the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009,  will receive a cash prize of £2,000 plus a trophy, given by Welsh Royal Crystal. Other finalists will each receive a cash prize of £750.

The competition is open to singers at the early stages of their professional career, aged 18 to 32 on June 1, 2009 . They must be born or raised in Wales and should have received a significant proportion of their education in Wales.

Members of the jury will include internationally-known singers Rebecca Evans, Philip Langridge, Elaine Padmore and Julian Smith, Music Advisor to BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, freelance conductor and former Head of Music at Welsh National Opera.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite, will accompany the finalists at St David's Hall, Cardiff, on Monday, June 16, 2008.

BBC Cymru Wales will be transmitting the final of the Welsh Singers Competition on Radio Cymru.    Live Music Now! Wales, founded by Yehudi Menuhin to benefit both young professional musicians and the whole community, will also promote the concert.

The Welsh Singers Competition has launched many successful careers, including Sarah-Jane Davies, Elizabeth Donovan, Joanne Thomas, David Kempster, Gwyn Hughes Jones, Eldrydd Cynan-Jones, Rebecca Evans and Bryn Terfel, who has since become Patron of the competition.

Last year's competition was won by Sarah-Jane Davies, who went on to represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007.

Applications for the Welsh Singers Competition 2008 can be made via www.welshsingerscompetition.com and www.cystadleuaethigantorioncymreig.com with application forms also available from Anna Williams, Administrator, Fern Villa, Llandissilio, Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire SA66 7TJ,  Phone 01437 563834. Closing date is  25th January 2008.   Audition dates are  10th February in Cardiff and 17th February in London.  Tickets go on sale on 1st  March 2008.

The Arts Council of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Live Music Now! Wales thanks Mrs G Annette Hubble of Sedona, Arizona, and The Hygeia Foundation for her generous donation to the Welsh Singers Competition.

Bill Kenny