Glamorgan YFC Sing Their Way to Success
Last weekend – from the 9th to the 11th of May, the National Young Farmers Annual Convention was held at Blackpool. Usually this would mean a weekend of fun and frolics and socialising - but not for Glamorgan YFC. The County Choir was competing in a prestigious National Choir Competition on Sunday, which was held in the Empress Ballroom at the Blackpool Winter Gardens and managed to pip the English Counties to the post and win the whole competition.
The choir, representing Wales, had been practising since September. It was first formed by Neath Young Farmers Club for the County round of the competition held in Llanharan Rugby Club. Neath won the day and decided that to be successful in going forward they should invite singers from Clubs across the County to join them in representing the County and Wales at Blackpool. The choir was made up of 16 singers from ages 14 to 26 – ranging from Gower YFC, Llantrisant YFC, Wick YFC, Bridgend YFC and of course Neath. Accomplished conductor Annwen Williams who has sang opera all over the world was their secret – who is on the Advisory Committee for Neath Young Farmers Club and taught the choir from scratch.
There were seven choirs competing in the National competition at Blackpool, and so the choir weren’t too confident – especially being a brand new one. However, having practiced once to twice a week regularly for months - they felt obliged to make their Club, County and Country proud. The Choir sang ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen and arranged by Roger Emerson, and ‘Cyfri’r Geifr’ – a traditional Welsh song arranged by their conductor Annwen Williams – both in a three part harmony. Their pianist was Howell Price who has recently retired as head of music at Glan Afan Comprehensive School and now teaches various young singers and choirs.
The choir are incredibly proud and privileged to win all over England and Wales – it really proves that the Welsh are the best singers! Glamorgan YFC County Choir hope to continue singing and competing, and have already been invited to sing at various events!
If you would like any more information about Glamorgan Young Farmers, please see their website - http://www.glamorgan.btck.co.uk/
Lowri Davies – Chairman of Neath Young Farmers Club
