Posted on 2 October 2013
Gareth Davies and Rhodri Prys Jones
On Sunday the 6th October, University of Wales Alumni Gareth Davies and Rhodri Prys Jones will join four other competitors to perform in a unique concert for a chance to win the prestigious Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship
All six competitors are main under 25s winners from the Pembrokeshire National Urdd Eisteddfod and now have the opportunity to perform at the Great Hall, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, with the concert being broadcast live on S4C.
Established back in 1999, the aim of the Scholarship is to nurture some of the best up-and-coming talent in Wales. As well as the accolade of winning the prestigious scholarship, the winner will also receive £4,000 towards their development as a performer.
The Scholarship also forms a connection between the winner and the world famous opera star, Bryn Terfel, who is very supportive of developing young talent in Wales.
20 year old Gareth recently graduated from the University of Wales: Trintiy Saint David, where he studied on ‘The Actor and the Arts’ degree programme, and will shortly be starting his Masters degree in Musical Theatre at the Guilford Hall of Acting. Earning his place at the concert by winning the Musical solo competition in the Pembrokeshire Urdd National Eisteddfod, in the future he would like to perform in musicals at the West End.
Speaking about the opportunities that this scholarship could open, Gareth said:
“What I look forward to most is performing in one of the biggest competitions in Wales and sharing a stage with other outstanding performers. The career platform offered by the Scholarship is also great, and I can only start to imagine the positive effect this competition could have on my career. It would be an important acknowledgement within the industry as it is such a well known scholarship, and the financial prize would also come in very handy towards financing an expensive masters’ degree!”
21 year old Rhodri recently graduated with a degree in ‘Music and the Media’ from the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David, and is continuing within Higher Education to start a Masters degree in ‘Voice studies’ at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He won the Solo competition at the Pembrokeshire Urdd National Eisteddfod and in the future he would like to be a professional singer.
Speaking about his excitement at competing for the Scholarship, Rhodri said:
“It will be a great experience and honour to compete for this scholarship against some of Wales’ best talent. The thing that excites me most about the competition is the possibility of winning the scholarship and being allowed to perform my favourite pieces that suite my voice, in front of the nation. Winning the scholarship would mean the world to me. It would be a great boost to my career and would give me recognition on a national level.”
The six competing for the Scholarship this year (all in the under 25 category) will be:
Chloe Angharad-Bradshaw from Hengoed, Cwm Rhymni – winner of the Instrumental solo
Gareth Davies from St Clears, Carmarthen – winner of the Musical solo
Dion Davies from Newcastle Emlyn – winner of the Theatrical presentation
Trystan Gruffydd from Pontypridd – winner of the Boys Solo Folk Dance
Steffan Rhys Hughes from Denbigh – winner of the Cerdd Dant solo, Reciting and Folk Song solo
Rhodri Prys Jones from Llanfyllin – winner of the Solo
At the beginning of September, all six competitors received master classes at the Urdd Residential Centre in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. To help prepare them for the upcoming competition, it was an opportunity for them to get to know each other, receive expert guidance and practice their ensemble piece.
Speaking about the upcoming concert, Aled Sion, Director of the Eisteddfod said:
“We have six extremely talented individuals competing for the scholarship this year, and their enthusiasm and desire to win is evident. There are tickets left for the concert in Aberystwyth, so some along to see some of Wales’ best young talent performing live in a concert that will determine the winner of the 2013 Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship.”
Tickets for the concert in Aberystwyth are available from the Art Centre on 01970 623 232 or online www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre, and cost £10 each.
For more information about the Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship, please visit their website - http://www.urdd.org/en/eisteddfod/bryn-terfel-scholarship