Even Better the Second Time Around?
As one of the few choristers who sang in the winning performance at the National Eisteddfod in1988 when it was held in Newport, and again at the winning performance on10th August this year in Pontypridd, I was requested to put pen to paper and make an informed comparison.
1988 now appears to be a very long time ago, and my memory somewhat 'hazy', however I can confirm the main difference about both dates is that I definitely had more hair in 1988!
Firstly in 1988, although I had been a singing member for some 12 years, I remember most, if not all in the choir being under pressure, unsure of what to expect, and of course wanting to put in a strong and sound performance whilst competing on our own 'doorstep'.
The structure of the choral competition was somewhat different at that time, in as much there were categories of choir size, and there were 'test' pieces of music you had to sing as determined by the Eisteddfod organisers. I remember in the section we were entered in (under 61 voices I believe) we had to sing Y Glowr (The Miner, by Welsh composer, Dulais Rhys) and Dana Dana which I believe was a Hungarian Folk song translated into Welsh.
Under our Music Director at that time, Martin Hodson (later MBE, and now our Music Director Emeritus), we worked hard, and strived over a long period to perfect our understanding of the music and refining our performance.
When the big day arrived, it’s fair to say we were all very apprehensive, unsure of what the adjudicators were expecting, what they were actually looking for, and I felt somewhat in a daze.
Under Martins guidance, perseverance and baton, we performed to the best of our ability, indeed we won with the highest recorded marks at that time. I remember the late Bryan Davies congratulating us.
The choir was ecstatic, extremely proud and 'over the moon' but relieved at the same time!
This year the format was different, Eisteddfod rules demanded we sing a 12 minute programme, again all in the Welsh language, but with one unaccompanied piece and one by a Welsh Composer.
Our current Music Director, Matthew Harrison, had obviously researched what present day adjudicators were now looking for, and experiences based upon our recent performance at the LLangollen International Eisteddfod (where we were the best Male Choir and placed third overall in the competition) and even more recently at the Côr Cymru Competition.
Like Martin in 1988, but in a genre, Matt had certainly done his homework when he chose our 12 minute programme. It opened with Hiraeth by Dr. Alwyn Humphries (a former MD of the choir), and ended with Gwinllan a Roddwyd (This Land of Mine) by Caradog Williams.
However, to our surprise, and indeed shock, he selected the unaccompanied song The Word was God by Rosephanye Powell, but now translated into Welsh as Y Gair Oedd Duw.
This piece of music is very rhythmic, and vocally demanding, with each section of the choir needing to be literally 'spot on' with their entries and endings.
I remember lots of 'oohs' and 'aahs', mumblings and misgivings when he announced it, but he stuck with his decision.
Personally I thought it a good choice. However, even I struggled after firstly learning this song in English, but then having to replace and change the words to Welsh. Matt took time and a lot of patience to ensure each word was given due justice with the correct pronunciation.
As time went on it all started to come together, especially with extra rehearsals. Matt was explicit in asking for the correct mouth shapes for each and every word, and we eventually started to master the proposed programme.
Matt also added colour and shape to our singing, light and shade and of course precision.
There did appear to be a little set back when we heard our accompanist, Jeslyn Asir, would not be playing for us on the Eisteddfod day as he was away on holidays. However, Matt had this covered by employing the help of Mackenzie Paget, a talented and respected young local musician who the choir had worked with on previous occasions.
Also, our Music Director Emeritus, Martin Hodson, frequently came along to rehearsals to play, listen, advise and critique our renditions of the 'test' pieces. Indeed he believed and commented it was a winning programme.
When the big day arrived, I felt somewhat similar to that in 1988, in as much as I felt more confident, I realised and believed we had prepared well but still had some butterflies deep down.
We had a brief rehearsal in a local church in Pontypridd before we entered the Maes, but Matt kept it brief and didn't want to over egg the cake so to speak. Although confident I kept thinking there's a fine line between confidence and complacency.
The time come to enter the stage, all eyes fixed upon Matt, he had no music scores so all his attention was fixed on us the choir.
We gave a performance not only to win, but to be extremely proud of, and if this didn't put Risca Male Choir on the musical map then nothing would.
In the hours that followed we waited with baited breath. The Adjudicator gave the results in reverse order, we heard the choir that was in third place, then second place .... our hearts missing beats and innermost thoughts of being placed nowhere, until we heard the winners are Côr Meibion Risca!
As one we erupted in celebration, shouting and cheering.
Matt collected the Winner’s trophy and ran across the stage where we were all sat. He lifted the trophy and 'punched the air' several times. We had made him, and of course ourselves, very proud. To cap it all, he himself was awarded the Ivor E Sims medal as the director of the winning choir.
Risca Male Choir 'Onwards & Upwards'.
Cliff James: 2nd Tenor, at the Eisteddfod, 1988 & 2024
