With only weeks to go before the closing date for the voting for the Class Act concert, National Eisteddfod organisers are urging people to cast their vote and to order their tickets for this year’s concerts – to avoid disappointment.
Held as part of the concert programme for the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod, the public will choose which pieces will be performed on the Eisteddfod stage on Thursday 5 August. It’s very close in a few of the five categories, so you need to get voting to make sure your favourite is performed on the night.
Hywel Wyn Edwards, Eisteddfod Organiser, says:
“A number of the pieces currently doing well are some of our best loved classics, but there’s one or two more unusual pieces also getting quite a few votes, with only a few weeks left to vote.
“Details of all the shortlists are on our website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – where you can also vote. This is also the easiest place to buy tickets for the concerts and we have seen an increase in the number of those turning to the web over the past few years.”
Only Men Aloud – one of the UK’s leading choirs – will open this year’s Eisteddfod, on Friday 30 July, with a special show directed by well known West End director, Ken Caswell. Celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, the choir, which has its roots firmly in the south Wales valleys, is coming home to celebrate.
Saturday night, 31 July is Youth Gala night, with a chance to enjoy the talents of local youngsters, led by the Gwent Music Support Service, showcasing the stars of the future. This concert is sponsored by Principality.
The Cymanfa Ganu will be held in the Pavilion on Sunday 1 August, with well known conductor, Alwyn Humphreys, leading the congregational singing. Tredegar Brass Band will also be performing on the night.
Join top stars including Aled Jones, John Owen Jones, Mark Evans, Tara Bethan, and Blaenau Gwent’s very own Katie Treharne, to celebrate Wales’ contribution to London’s world-famous Theatreland. Wales at the West End is the Monday night concert in the festival Pavilion.
Mozart’s famous Requiem Mass in D minor is this year’s Eisteddfod Choir’s main piece, with soloists, Jason Howard, Wynne Evans, Leah Marian Jones and Iona Jones. The 230 strong choir come from all parts of Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys – and beyond. Conducted by Alun Guy, with the Welsh Chamber Orchestra, this concert is held on Tuesday 3 August.
There’s competing on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and on Thursday evening, Angharad Mair will present A Class Act, with Alwyn Humphreys conducting the BBC Chorus and the Welsh Chamber Orchestra. We’ll be announcing details of the winning pieces and the soloists during May.
Rhydian Roberts, Catrin Finch, Gwawr Edwards and Cordydd will bring the celebrations to a close on Saturday 7 August. Rhydian and Gwawr performed together at one of the 2009 Meirion and District Eisteddfod’s most popular concerts, and will again share the stage at this year’s festival.
Tickets for the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod evening concerts are now available and can be ordered online – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or by ringing the ticket office – 0845 122 1176. Order forms are also available in the information booklet, available across Wales. All details also appear in our regular newsletter, online and on our facebook page – www.facebook.com/eisteddfod. Register to receive the latest information, either online or by emailing [email protected].
