YOUNG WELSH SINGER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

 Entry for the 2010 Competition has now closed:

Following a series of Preliminary Heats in July, the Finalists for the 2010 Competition have now been announced.
Details click here.


The final of the 2010 Competition will be held at a concert with the Morriston Orpheus Choir on Sunday 19 September 2010. More details of the concert here


The Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition  is open to students studying classical singing, on a full-time basis only, at any university or college in the United Kingdom and who meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

1. Were born in Wales
2. Have at least one parent who is Welsh
3. Have resided in Wales on a permanent basis for the past five years.

In the preliminary heat which will be held during July in Morriston, Swansea you will be required to sing TWO contrasting pieces of your choice and to introduce your music to the adjudicator(s).

The Winner will receive:

  • the MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Trophy,
    sponsored by Gravells Renault of Kidwelly,

     (A replica of the trophy will be kept by the winner)

  • The Ivor E Sims Memorial Prize of £2,000

Each of the other Finalists will receive:
an inscribed plaque and a cheque for £300
 

More details from:

Alan Lewis
Competition Organiser
70 Cwmrhydyceirw Road
Morriston
Swansea SA6 6LJ

Tel/text:  mobile: 07759301724
EMail:     comp-2010@usa.net

LIST OF PREVIOUS WINNERS 

Read about the 2009 competition HERE 

 

 

To view individual photos from the above slide show click here

Photos copyright Phil Rees 2009

Previous winners have included international stars Rebecca Evans and Bryn Terfel, both of whom are Vice-Presidents of the Association.

Whenever possible, winners are given the opportunity of staging with the Morriston Orpheus Choir. Some have recorded with the Choir and a number have accompanied the Choir on overseas concert tours, appearing in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, New York, the Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, and the Sydney Opera House.  Andrew Rees, who won the Competition in 2000, was guest soloist with the Choir on its tour to Australia and New Zealand in April 2007. In October 2008, Gary Griffiths appeared as a soloist with the Morriston Orpheus Choir in Geneva, Switzerland and the most recent winner, Catrin Aur accompanied the Choir on its tour to Ireland in November 2009.

PREVIOUS WINNERS’ COMMENTS

Gary Griffiths - Winner 2008

Winning the MOCSA trophy was a poignant moment for me and I feel it has been pivotal in my development as a singer. Having the privilege to perform with the choir as a result not only in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, but also abroad in Geneva and at other high profile venues has given me invaluable experience. I truly hope this tradition will last for many more years to come! Visit Gary's website.

 
Leah-Marian Jones - Winner 1985

Winning the MOCSA prize was instrumental in my transition from student to professional singer. The prize gave me many opportunities to sing with the Choir to large audiences, which inevitably boosts your confidence. So I feel very grateful to Mr Humphreys and the Choir for giving me that chance.


Bryn Terfel - Winner 1988

For any young singer who is still studying or who is in the first years of building a career, competitions like the MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year are invaluable. Singing in a competitive environment is good grounding for the inevitable round of auditions which young singers face. And if, like me, you are fortunate enough to make the final of the competition and then win, it is a real boost to a fledgling career. I know I speak on behalf of many singers when I say that we are grateful to those such as MOCSA who do so much to support and encourage young singers - long may it continue!



Gwyn Hughes Jones - Winner 1990

The MOCSA Competition provides the Orpheus Choir with a valuable opportunity to encourage young singers in Wales. It is the duty of every choir to encourage young vocal talent where they can and the competition goes a long way to fulfilling that duty. I wish the Morriston Orpheus Choir and the MOCSA Competition every success. Pob hwyl.






Anthony Stuart Lloyd - Winner 1993 

The MOCSA Young Welsh Singer Of The Year Competition offers many advantages to its competitors. It is a valuable experience on all levels, from prelim to final. It provides a sense of ambience unmatched by any other competition held in Wales or Britain for that matter. It has proved itself an early stepping stone for the singer along his or her professional path and has acted as a barometer for up-and-coming talent with a track record to substantiate. So may it continue for the next twenty five years.



Andrew Rees - Winner 2000 

Thank you MOCSA for hosting this special competition. Being able to compete on a concert platform, and in such wonderful venues, enhances the excitement of the occasion. The experience of sharing the stage with the Choir and performing to a large capacity audience is rare, yet invaluable for singers at the early stages of their careers. Thank you for recognising the need to support and nurture young vocal talent and long may it last throughout the 21st century. Diolch a phob lwc.
 


MOCSA TROPHY WINNERS

1977 Jacqueline Nelmes Soprano Abertillery
1978 Catherine Savoury Contralto Cardiff
1979 Llinos Haf Williams Soprano Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant
1980 Lynne Davies Soprano St Asaph
1981 Helen Edwards Soprano Brynmawr
1982 Sharon Lloyd Soprano Llanelli
1983 Huw Rhys Evans Tenor Tregaron
1983  Mari Ffion Williams Soprano Synod Inn
1984 Meinir Williams Soprano Tywyn
1985 Leah-Marian Jones Mezzo-Soprano Cilgerran
1986 Helen Miles Soprano Gorseinon
 1986 Arwel Treharne Morgan Tenor Llanelli
1987 Rhian Owen Soprano Llanberis
1988 Bryn Terfel Baritone Garndolbenmaen
1989 Rebecca Evans Soprano Neath
1990 Gwyn Hughes Jones Baritone Llanbedrgoch
1991 Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano Cardiff
1992 Elizabeth Ann Stevens Mezzo-Soprano Cardiff
1993 Anthony Stuart Lloyd Bass Cardiff
1994 Darren Jones Baritone Gelli
1995 Joanne Thomas Mezzo-Soprano Tonyrefail
1996 Jill Padfield Soprano Trinant
1997 Owen David Webb Baritone Pontlliw
1998 Emma Dennis Soprano Ferry
1999 Natasha Marsh Soprano London
2000 Andrew Rees Tenor Carmarthen
2001 Douglas Bowen Baritone Swansea
2002 Fflur Wyn Soprano Brynaman
2003 Sarah-Jane Davies Soprano Brecon
2004  Nicola Hughes  Soprano  Tonna, Neath
2005 Katherine Allen Mezzo Soprano Cardiff
2006 Caryl Hughes Mezzo Soprano Aberdaron
2007 Rhian Mair Lewis Soprano

Aberystwyth
2008 Gary Griffiths Baritone Carmarthen
2009 Catrin Aur Davies Soprano Carmarthen

                                                
We are always delighted to hear from past winners and finalists; please sign the Choir's  Guestbook or, better still, come and visit us at rehearsal or a concert!

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