Student success at Welsh Eisteddfods

This summer RNCM voice, piano and harp students have taken home a slew of prizes at the National Eisteddfod of Wales and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future (£5000) at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, mezzo-soprano Erin Rossington remembers her experience as a ‘a blur… After performing in the final we had a few hours to wait and when we got backstage the judges Leah Marion-Jones and Anthony Trecek King said wonderful comments, and announced my name as the winner. I felt so emotional winning such a huge competition in my home country. It was also a huge honour to be passed the award from Sir Terry Whaite.’

Erin was also successful at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in August, with the competition taking place in Llanrwst, the town where she went to high school.

‘When I found out I was on the stage for the Final of the Mezzo-Soprano Solo I was very happy. I was so thrilled when they called my name out as the winner, especially in my local town with friends and family all there to support me.’

Erin was not alone in Eisteddfod success. The full list of RNCM prize winners:

Erin Rossington (mezzo-soprano) – Winner of the Mezzo-Soprano/Contralto/Countertenor Solo 19-25 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales and Winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future (£5000) at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Lisa Dafydd (soprano) – Awarded Second Prize in Soprano 19-25 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Tesni Jones (soprano) – Awarded Third Prize in Soprano 19-25 Years and Third Prize in Lieder/Art Song 19-25 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Llinos Haf Jones (soprano) – Winner of Folk Song Under 21 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

John Ieuan Jones (baritone) – Winner of the Towyn Roberts Scholarship (£3000) at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Ryan Davies (tenor) – Awarded Fourth Prize in Towyn Roberts Scholarship at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Emyr Lloyd Jones (baritone) – Winner of Baritone/Bass Solo 19-25 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Luke Jones (piano) – Winner of Instrumental Blue Riband and Second Prize in Solo Piano Over 19 Years at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Angharad Huw (harpist) – Awarded Second Prize in Solo Harp Under 19 Years at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Angharad Huw and Mariel Griffiths (harpists) – Awarded Second Prize in Instrumental Duo at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

‘It’s wonderful to see my fellow students and friends doing so well at the festivals. They’re such a perfect opportunity to perform and try out different things on stage,’ said Erin.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales comprises eight days of competitions and performances each year, and is considered the largest music and poetry festival in Europe. It attracts approximately 6000 competitors and over 150,000 visitors.

The annual Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod comprises 20 competitions, followed each evening by concerts on the main stage. Around 5000 singers, dancers and instrumentalists from around 50 countries perform to audiences of more than 50,000 over six days.

Watch Erin Rossington performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod:

 

12 September 2019