Latest: Choir record CD.
See also: Ysgol Glanaethwy at the Faenol Festival.
In the early stages of the competition Cefin and Rhian Roberts, who established Ysgol Glanaethwy, Bangor, described what it was like being part of BBC talent show, Last Choir Standing, in which they were runners up.
Cefin: Performing live on television is certainly a challenge. I usually get nervous when conducting anyway, because drama is really my thing. I do enjoy standing in front of a choir and helping to create a great sound, but doing that on live TV will be terrifying!
The choir have competed in events such as the Pan-Celtic Festival, the BBC's Choir of the Year and Musical Youth in Birmingham, so they are experienced in performing outside the eisteddfods of Wales.
But this will be quite a different challenge because one of the choir's strongest points is its ability to perform a wide variety of music.
But the TV show is increasingly moving towards the lighter side - more pop songs - so we've had to learn new songs, and quickly. We've got to learn four of them each week, as well as the choreography.
Also, many choir members are taking part in the National Eisteddfod, and I'm leading the National Youth Theatre of Wales in production this summer - the thought of getting everything done is rather mind-blowing.
Despite that, I am tremendously glad we made the last six. It will be a great experience for the choir and if we're knocked out, I'll still be so proud that we came this far, especially as the youngest choir in the competition.
Rhian: I heard about the competition from a friend and we sent in a video of the senior choir performing. We got called up to try out against 60 other choirs before making it to the televised heats.
Now it's the viewers at home who choose who goes through and, ultimately, who wins.
It is a very big commitment. Some of the choir members were doing their GCSEs and A-Levels during the heats and they've had to give over most of their summer to the live shows.
We've had to change a lot of our repertoire to suit the Saturday night Britain-wide audience. We've also had to curtail how much we perform in Welsh - the natural language of the choir - but hopefully we'll be able to sing a few more Welsh songs during the finals.
It'll be a really scary experience watching the choir, and Cefin conducting, as it goes out live on TV. All the shows have been pre-recorded so far, so it'll be nerve-wracking watching them sing live for the audience's vote.
All this has taken a lot of organising. Not just the learning of the songs, but also arranging hotels, coaches, outfits. During the finals, each choir will have their own colour and have to stick to it, to make it easier for people at home to identify who's who. [Ysgol Glanaethwy are in yellow.]
We set up Glanaethwy School 18 years ago because we saw a definite lack of opportunity for young people in Gwynedd to sing and act, particularly in Welsh.
Such schools are on the doorsteps of people in cities like London and Manchester and they're amazed how far some of our members come for lessons. Some travel for up to two hours, come to a class then go all the way home.
Quite a few of our pupils have gone on to perform in the West End or on S4C, but the main point is to help build confidence. You don't need to audition to join and 90 per cent of the young people don't go on to act or sing professionally, they just enjoy having the opportunity to gain experience and socialise.
We began way before shows like the X-Factor and Pop Idol because the call was always there. We hit upon something way before the TV producers, and now we're taking part in such a show.
The audience's reaction has been so heart-warming. They've posted such nice comments on the programme website and we're really looking forward to going as far as we can in the competition.
your comments
Loek van Kersbergen, Rotterdam area, Netherlands
I have seen, studied and very much enjoyed all videos of the choir. Fabulous. Being a conductor (mainly pop choir) myself, I have great admiration, not only for the choir but also for the conductor! Are your arrangements for sale? Would like to purchase or even exchange some of your brilliant arrangements and orchestral tapes.
Mon Apr 27 10:36:12 2009
Rhian Kelbrick from Conwy
Can't wait to hear the CD. Saw your performance with Max Boyce, you were fantastic, the best. Good luck for the future.
Tue Dec 9 08:58:55 2008
Sarah Macfarlane, Douglas
Please could you let me know if Ysgol Glanaethwy have produced a CD, if so where can I buy it?
Web team: Their CD O Fortuna is released by Sain on 1 December.
Wed Oct 22 09:51:02 2008
Ann Waller, Abergele
Wonderful performances, loved every minute. Well done. Great music, beautiful singing, good arrangements and a real diversity of songs; you were terrific. Keep up the good work. Look forward to hearing more about the choir in the future.
Fri Sep 5 09:31:12 2008
Shan Moule form Bromsgrove
I have enjoyed every second of your performances - how fantastic to have a North Wales choir well and truly on the map. I holiday every year on The Llyn so hope one day I may be privileged enough to see you all in concert.
Tue Sep 2 15:20:20 2008
Andrew Thornton, Kent
I really hope you're not too disappointed about the final result. I really enjoyed all your performances; such great talent and energy was a joy to hear. Thanks to you all for your amazing work; I wish you all every success in the future.
Tue Sep 2 15:19:44 2008
Jim Rodger from the southeast of France
I have been spitting blood since the result was given. My wife and I would like to send you our best wishes for the future. PLEASE don't give up now. Loved every minute, Jim and Cathy
Tue Sep 2 10:12:41 2008
Kevin Rhodes, Bedfordshire
Congratulations on your achievement. I have never felt so emotional as I have done in the last few weeks watching your choir. Listening and watching young people putting their hearts and souls into what they enjoy is overwhelming. Please make a CD of your choir, both in English & in Welsh. Well done
Tue Sep 2 10:12:18 2008
Brian & Josie Atkins, Norfolk
Regret you did not win last Saturday. Your performances should also have won The Rugby World Cup and The Grand National. Please do not feel discouraged. You have so much to give to the World of Music. Our Congratulations to You All.
Tue Sep 2 10:11:47 2008
C Martin from North Essex
Congratulations on achieving the final. I have so enjoyed watching and listening to you all each week. My two grown-up sons live in North Wales and it would be lovely for the two of them, their families and all of us to be able to come to a concert of yours sometime. I do hope it will be soon.
Mon Sep 1 14:22:16 2008
Derek Slade, High Wycombe
I wish to say how much I enjoyed th YG's choral presentations - not just in the final, but generally. Maybe OMA were slightly better, but there was only a whisker in it. Absolutely brilliant - well done, YG.
Mon Sep 1 14:20:32 2008
Linda Jones born Bangor
You've done so fantastically well. I really hope you're not downhearted with the result and hope you keep on and go from strength to strength with choir. You're really all fantastic. A HUGE WELL DONE
Mon Sep 1 10:24:45 2008
Aled Hughes, St. Petersburg, Florida
Sorry to read you did not win the competition (we don't get the BBC over here), but surely you will have 'won' in the sense that you can go on to greater things with your music. Think of all the Welsh Choirs that are world-famous! Da iawn, Ysgol Glanaethwy!
Mon Sep 1 10:24:30 2008
Patricia, Cornwall
Outstanding example to all young people. I hope that all schools that have a choir have been inspired with your talents and realise what they can achieve with the dedication that you have all put in. Any chance of a CD of all the songs you sung?
Mon Sep 1 10:24:00 2008
harry tonk's burntwood,staff's
WHAT A GREAT SHOW! watched from the start , picked these two from the beginning, could not seperate,FANTASMERGORICAL. well done to both choirs. better than any i have heard for year's. hope to see a lot more of you both, again very well DONE
Mon Sep 1 10:23:40 2008
Mike & Pam Watson, Cornwall
What an inspirational Choir and Musical Director We loved to listen to you and think really you were equal first. Well done to Wales for thoroughly deserving the two top spots. Keep it up and thank you
Mon Sep 1 10:17:48 2008
Dr Graham Lawler, Abergele
diolch am popeth, it was a fantastic run
Mon Sep 1 10:13:10 2008
helen slack deganwy
You were THE BEST - please bring out a CD - for the pleasure of continuing to listen to the choir & also to subsidise the magnificent work you do
Mon Sep 1 10:12:53 2008
Magwen Griffiths , Prenteg
Congratulations to you all! If it's any consolation you came first in our house! Voted 8 times and sooooo disapointed for you coming so close but now the only way is up.
Mon Sep 1 10:12:24 2008
Joan Holland, St. Helens, Merseyside
I'm so sorry that you didn't win but you certainly couldn't have done any more. My husband and myself thought you were wonderful, and the maturity of your performances was a joy to hear, the best of luck to you all in whatever you go on to do.
Mon Sep 1 10:11:57 2008
Rhian Denbighshire
Ffantastig! Dau gor o Gymru ar y brig.Brill 2 choirs from Wales at the very top WOW!!
Mon Sep 1 10:11:38 2008
Ted Allford St Ives (cornwall)
I hope you never lose the love of singing in a choir there is something really wonderful listening to you over the last number of weeks. i really hoped that you would win.But the pleasure which your choir has given to so many people is un imaginable and also shows what wonderful young people can do. i hope and pray that you do continue singing.
Mon Sep 1 10:11:23 2008
r.voyzey from cornwall
You are a fabulous choir and I am looking forward to a CD. Welsh choirs set the standard for choirs over many years and I think both you and only men allowed have set a new standard for welsh choirs and choirs all over the world to emulate in the arrangements and different standards you both achieved in the last choir standing competition. Thank you for an entertaining performance and fantastic arrangements. WELL DONE!!!
Mon Sep 1 10:09:25 2008
