Over 160 children from Cardiff travelled to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this week, where their conductor Elin Llwyd urged them simply to enjoy the experience. She wanted them to perform on the famous stage and observe some of the world's best choirs. 'I wanted them to see the other choirs as the standards are so high,' said Elin.
First-Time Entry Triumphs
Academi Berfformio ABC, a Welsh-medium performing arts academy with branches in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Carmarthen, had never entered the Llangollen eisteddfod before. The children train weekly in acting and singing, performing at events such as Tafwyl and staging their own productions.
On Wednesday, four busloads of ABC children travelled in heatwave conditions to enter two choirs in the Children's Open Choir competition: Côr Hŷn ABC (secondary school pupils) and Côr Iau ABC (primary school children). The competition featured exceptional performances from choirs including the globally-renowned Young People's Chorus of New York City and the Ukrainian Children Chorus 'Pearls of Odessa', with others from Seattle and the Isle of Man.
Stunning Victory
It was ABC's youngest choir, Côr Iau ABC, that stole the show. Performing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'Nôl i'r Ysgol', they recorded the highest judges' score of the day, earning a place in the evening final for the Children's Choir of the World title. Nobody expected it. Elin said: 'It wasn't because I didn't have faith in them, but it's something that feels unobtainable because it was our first time and the standards are so high. Some of the choirs are so much older. I feel a bit guilty that I hadn't warned parents.'
Elin made last-minute arrangements for the children to stay and perform again at 8:30pm, while keeping their energy levels up. In the final, Côr Iau ABC competed against Junior Children's Choir winners Ysgol Pen Barras from Ruthin and Senior Choir winners Côr Heol y March of Cowbridge. After another incredible performance, the pavilion erupted in screams and cheers as Côr Iau ABC was crowned Young Choir of the World. Elin Llwyd also won the Conductors' Prize for most inspiring performance.
Disbelief and Pride
Elin said: 'I couldn't be prouder of the performances of both choirs – the results afterwards being icing on the cake, and an incredible way of crowning a special day. I didn't even consider that it could be part of our story. Not because I didn't have faith in the choirs, but because the standard at Llangollen is so incredibly high. I'm still in complete disbelief!'
Elin was inspired by her own experiences at the competition under conductor Iswlyn Evans as a member of Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion, and as an adult with Cywair, with whom she won the Choir of the World prize. 'I'm so lucky to have the privilege of working with such talented children and young people – I really don't take that for granted and appreciate it immensely.'
One of the competition's adjudicators from France said he had never seen so many children sing together with such discipline in his own country. Elin added: 'He asked if we rehearsed every day and was shocked when I said only once a week!'
