Tenor takes MOCSA Title
JOHN PIERCE a 27 year old Tenor from Holywell is this year’s MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year 2010.
The 2010 Final of a Competition which showcases some of the finest emerging talent on the Welsh classical music scene, took place on Sunday 19 September at a concert with the Morriston Orpheus Choir. Held for the first times at the historic Orangery in the grounds of Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, the Final saw four singers, who had come through the preliminary heats, compete for the MOCSA Trophy, sponsored by Gravells Renault, Kidwelly. The winner would also receive the Ivor Sims Memorial Prize of £2,000 from the Choir. Each of the other finalists receive £300.
The four finalists were:
Elin Pritchard: A 26 year old Soprano born in St Asaph. Currently at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
John Pierce: A 27 year old Tenor, from Holywell. Currently at The National Opera Studio
Sioned Gwen Davies: A 24 year old Mezzo Soprano, born in Wrexham. Currently at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Rhian Lois: A 23 year old Soprano, born in Aberystwyth. Currently at the Royal College of Music.
The audience was treated to a feast of singing with each of the four finalists producing a varied programme of music ranging from Mozart and Verdi to Sondhiem and Novello. The Choir kept the variety going with a mixture of old favourites and new pieces it has learned in preparation for a new CD they will be working on in the new year.
The distingused panel of Adjudicators given the difficult task of selecting the winner were
Huw Tregelles Williams O.B.E ( rear centre in photo) – Former Head of Music at BBC Wales and former Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Huw was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for service to music in Wales and is currently Chairman of Swansea’s Festival of Music and the Arts.
Dennis O’Neill C.B.E ( rear right in photo) - Internationally recognised Tenor who has appeared for all the major opera companies . In the 2000 New Year Honours List, Dennis was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Opera.
Angela Livingstone ( rear left in photo) – Respected opera coach and accompanist. Angela is Head of Opera and Vocal Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
After a period of deliberation the Adjudicators returned to the stage to announce John Pierce as their unanimous choice as the 2010 MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year.
Commenting on the result John (pictured with MOCSA President Ron Marno) said
Taking part in the final of the Mocsa Young Welsh Singer of the Year competition was a special and invaluable experience. I am immensely happy and grateful for having won the prize.
Adjudicator Huw Tregelles Williams added:
That one of our internationally-famed choirs should stage a competition of such high standard for young Welsh singers is very heartening, underlining the fact that Wales punches well above its weight in producing singers of world quality.
Jeffrey Howard was the guest accompanist to the four finalists and the Choir was conducted by Joy Amman Davies with Alice Reed at the piano.
The Choir and MOCSA are grateful for the support of the Jane Hodge Foundation and the Sackler Foundation in staging this Event.
photos by Photographsof.com
