Welsh student singers and actors wow Episcopalians

The Wales in New York celebrations, organized by the Welsh Assembly Government, comprised a series of events to emphasize Welsh art, culture and business.

It was the second visit to New York in the last two years by members of the troupe, ranging in ages from 18 to 21, some of whom are spending this semester studying at the University of the Rio Grande in Ohio. Following the New York premier of New Worlds, plans were made to perform the play at several communities in Ohio.

"They are a group of extraordinarily talented young men and women," said the Rev. Dr. Donald Thompson, general secretary of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) in New York, who arranged for the chamber choir to perform at the Episcopal Church Center. Trinity College, a 5,000-student church college in Carmarthen within the University of Wales, is a member of CUAC.

The Trinity Chamber Choir was formed in 2005 by conductor Eilir Owen-Griffiths. Since then it has made television appearances and appeared at a Holocaust Memorial Event at the Wales Millennium Center before former Prime Minister Tony Blair. In 2006, it won the main choir award at a national Wales competition and last year won the youth category as the "Choir of Wales."

"We hope the choir in its entirety may one day tour the United States," said Owen-Griffiths. "Until then, the selected 15 singers that form Trinity Chamber Choir should reflect, in part at least, the recently revived rich heritage of the Welsh choral tradition.

In New York, at historic St. Paul's Chapel in downtown Manhattan, the choir performed a contrasting program by introducing the works of new or lesser-known composers, as well as presenting some old favorites.

At the Producers Club 2, seven members performed on stage the play "New World" which depicts the voyage of a small group of families from western Wales across the Atlantic to Ohio where they settled, thrived and where their descendants continue to live.
Based on actual historical figures, the play, performed to a fusion soundtrack of Welsh hymns and American folk music, traces the parallel histories of two families through the eyes of two lovers, one in Ohio and one in Wales, from 1818 to 1861.

In addition to singing and performing on stage, two students who are media majors at the college filmed a documentary of the week-long trip.

Many of the students expressed the desire upon graduation to pursue careers in acting, singing, film directing, broadcasting, or owning and operating a sound studio for the benefit of other young, aspiring musicians and singers.

Gwydion Rhys Griffiths, one of the performers and a first-year arts student, said his ambition is to develop as an actor and gain confidence in his performing abilities.

"I hope to use my three years at Carmarthen as a foundation on which to study acting further. Being part of a choir or a group of performers is as important to me as being a soloist, developing team skills and working effectively with others."

Carys Davies, one of two Trinity students who made the trip to New York one year ago and is studying for a bachelor's degree in music and media, said she hopes to pursue a career in television production, directing and presenting. "I feel very fortunate and excited to come back to New York with the choir and also learn a lot more about American culture and traditions during our period of study over here (in Ohio)."