Risca Male Choir - Blog #22
A new month brings a new blog once again! We are still in the same old scenario of not knowing exactly what we should do with the rise in COVID cases, but after a committee meeting this month, we have decided to continue rehearsals. We will have to scale down the number of people attending sessions, but at least we have the opportunity to continue the good work we have been doing so far. Let’s hope we can come back to full practices asap!
Unfortunately, we have already had to make some cancellations this year, and that includes our previously postponed tour to Yorkshire. After a lengthy debate with the committee regarding what to do with uncertainty about restrictions and rehearsal attendance in the coming months, we decided it was best to let go of the anxious wait, and cancel the tour. We hope we are able to rearrange plans in the near future.
Welsh Musicians of the Month - Cerddorion Cymreig y Mis
We continue this new section by introducing two new artists.
Catrin Finch
(born in Ceredigion)
Achieved Grade 8 in harp at the age of 9!
A member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at the age of ten, becoming the youngest of its members to play at The Proms.
Appointed as the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales in 2000.
In recognition of her musical achievements, Finch has been awarded several academic honours starting with an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Wales in 2006, and Honorary Fellowships from the University of Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2005.
In 2018 Finch released her second album with Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita, entitled SOAR. Reviewing it for the London Evening Standard, Simon Broughton described the work: "A sublime duo of two artists who are masters of their instruments... musicality and architecture at work."
Kizzy Crawford
(Merthyr Tydfil)
Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter from Merthyr Tydfil, who sings in both English and Welsh, using traditional and modern sources.
Won the Arts Connect Original Singer-Songwriter prize in 2012 resulting in work with Amy Wadge including recording her first single Starling and its video with Arts Connect's Sonig - youth music industry initiative.
In 2014, she signed to publishing company BDi Music.
Crawford performed at the Euro 16 Welsh team homecoming gig at Cardiff City Football Stadium alongside the Manic Street Preachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF7xxm_TQ4Y
I hope you enjoy this month’s selection, and let’s all hope for this to start easing soon in order to stay safe and keep singing!
