05 April 2009

  A Newcastle Emlyn-based children’s choir is celebrating after winning Wales’ leading choral competition, S4C’s Côr Cymru, for the second time.

Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion Children’s Choir, under the conductorship of Islwyn Evans, beat four others in the final, broadcast live on S4C on 5 April, to win a top prize of £5,000 and the Côr Cymru 2009 title. The Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion children’s choir won the inaugural Côr Cymru competition in 2003. Sioned James, who conducted Cardiff-based Côrdydd, was chosen as winner of the Conductor's Award.

Rob Nicholls, S4C’s Content Editor Culture, said, “Côr Cymru, since its inception in 2003, has played an important part in S4C’s musical output. This biennial event is now one of the highlights of the Welsh musical calendar.

“It’s been a fantastic competition this year, with choirs from all four corners of Wales vying for the top prize. The standards have been very high and it was a tough call for the judges. Many congratulations to Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion, and to Sioned James.”

The Côr Cymru judges were Mark Wilkinson, General Manager of Universal Classics and Jazz, Tecwyn Evans, a professional conductor from New Zealand and Tönu Kaijuste from Estonia, who’s also a professional conductor.

This is the fourth Côr Cymru competition to be held by S4C. Previous winners were Côr Cywair in 2007, Cardiff choir Serendipity in 2005 and Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion in 2003.

The final is available to view online at s4c.co.uk/clic for 35 days.

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