21 September 2009

S4C is calling composers and songwriters to get into the festive mood early and enter its annual Christmas Carol Competition.

The competition, run in conjunction with the Daily Post newspaper, celebrates its eleventh anniversary this year and the S4C judges are expecting a bumper number of entries for the £1,000 prize.

The winning carol will be performed at the Daily Post-sponsored Thousand Christmas Voices concert at the world-famous Llangollen International Pavilion on 13 December, which is broadcast on S4C over the festive period.

The star-lit line-up for the annual event will include Aberystwyth soprano, Gwawr Edwards, singer Elin Fflur and Meirionnydd choir, Côr Godre’r Aran. Conducting the singing on this special occasion will be Alwyn Humphreys and the presenters will be Branwen Gwyn and Robin Jones.

The carol competition, first launched in 1999, attracts a wide range of entries every year from all over Wales and the UK.

Last year’s winners were reasonably local to Llangollen itself; retired teachers Rhys Jones of Prestatyn and Aled Lloyd Davies of Mold won with their carol, ‘Bethlehem’.

Rob Nicholls, S4C Content Editor Culture, said, “The Thousand Voices from the

International Pavilion at Llangollen is a milestone musical event and the first performance of the winning carol is one of its highlights. It is one of the best possible stages for composers and songwriters to show their talents and that’s why the competition keeps growing.”

The closing date for the competition is Friday, 9 October and entries will be accepted on cassette, DAT, mini-disc, CD or manuscript (a typed copy of the lyrics must be provided).

Entries should be sent to Sioned Gwyn, Communications, S4C, Parc Tŷ Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5DU.

The competition is open to people of all ages, either individuals or groups, except for employees of S4C or The Daily Post and their families. The words and music should be original and the words may be in Welsh or English.