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MOCSA YOUNG WELSH SINGER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

To facilitate a full review of the future organisation of the MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition, there will be NO Competition in 2023. Full details of the 2024 arrangements will appear here in the Spring of 2024. 

To read more click here



 

Rachel Roper a 23 year old Mezzo Soprano from Hereford (of Welsh parentage), studying at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is the 2022 MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year.   (Click here for more details)
 





The MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition is open to students, who on the closing date of the Competition, are over 18; studying classical singing, on a full-time basis only, at a university or college and meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

1. Were born in Wales

2. Have at least one parent who was born in Wales

3. Resident in Wales for at least 10 years immediately prior to their 18th birthday.


The Winner will receive:

The MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Trophy,
sponsored by Gravells Ltd of Kidwelly,

 (A replica of the trophy will be kept by the winner)

AND

The Ivor E Sims Memorial Prize of £1,500 - donated by the Morriston Orpheus Choir

Each of the other Finalists will receive an inscribed plaque and a cheque for £300

More details from Competition Organiser:
Howie Johnson  Tel/Text   07971 663861

EMail:   competition@morristonorpheus.com


Click here for a report on the 2021 Competition

Previous winners have included international stars Rebecca Evans and Bryn Terfel, both of whom are Vice-Presidents of the Association.


Click for List of Previous Winners

Whenever possible, winners are given the opportunity of staging with the Morriston Orpheus Choir. The 2018 winner Kieron -Connor Valentine sang with the Choir in June 2019 and Chloe Angharad Morgan, the 2017 winner, was the guest soloist with the Choir when they visited Austria and Poland in April 2018. Some have recorded with the Choir and a number have accompanied the Choir on earlier overseas concert tours, appearing in such prestigious venues as, the Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, and the Sydney Opera House.


PREVIOUS WINNERS’ COMMENTS

Gary Griffiths - Winner 2008

Winning the MOCSA trophy was a poignant moment for me and I feel it has been pivotal in my development as a singer. Having the privilege to perform with the choir as a result not only in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, but also abroad in Geneva and at other high profile venues has given me invaluable experience. I truly hope this tradition will last for many more years to come! Visit Gary's website.

 

 

 

 
Leah-Marian Jones - Winner 1985

Winning the MOCSA prize was instrumental in my transition from student to professional singer. The prize gave me many opportunities to sing with the Choir to large audiences, which inevitably boosts your confidence. So I feel very grateful to Mr Humphreys and the Choir for giving me that chance.

 

 

 



Sir Bryn Terfel - Winner 1988

For any young singer who is still studying or who is in the first years of building a career, competitions like the MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year are invaluable. Singing in a competitive environment is good grounding for the inevitable round of auditions which young singers face. And if, like me, you are fortunate enough to make the final of the competition and then win, it is a real boost to a fledgling career. I know I speak on behalf of many singers when I say that we are grateful to those such as MOCSA who do so much to support and encourage young singers - long may it continue!

 

 




Gwyn Hughes Jones - Winner 1990

The MOCSA Competition provides the Orpheus Choir with a valuable opportunity to encourage young singers in Wales. It is the duty of every choir to encourage young vocal talent where they can and the competition goes a long way to fulfilling that duty. I wish the Morriston Orpheus Choir and the MOCSA Competition every success. Pob hwyl.

 

 

 




Anthony Stuart Lloyd - Winner 1993

The MOCSA Young Welsh Singer Of The Year Competition offers many advantages to its competitors. It is a valuable experience on all levels, from prelim to final. It provides a sense of ambience unmatched by any other competition held in Wales or Britain for that matter. It has proved itself an early stepping stone for the singer along his or her professional path and has acted as a barometer for up-and-coming talent with a track record to substantiate. So may it continue for the next twenty five years.
 

 

 



Andrew Rees - Winner 2000

Thank you MOCSA for hosting this special competition. Being able to compete on a concert platform, and in such wonderful venues, enhances the excitement of the occasion. The experience of sharing the stage with the Choir and performing to a large capacity audience is rare, yet invaluable for singers at the early stages of their careers. Thank you for recognising the need to support and nurture young vocal talent and long may it last throughout the 21st century. Diolch a phob lwc.

 

 



MOCSA TROPHY WINNERS

 

1977 Jacqueline Nelmes Soprano Abertillery
1978 Catherine Savoury Contralto Cardiff
1979 Llinos Haf Williams Soprano Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant
1980 Lynne Davies Soprano St Asaph
1981 Helen Edwards Soprano Brynmawr
1982 Sharon Lloyd Soprano Llanelli
1983

Huw Rhys Evans

Mari Ffion Williams

Tenor

Soprano

Tregaron

Synod Inn

1984 Meinir Williams Soprano Tywyn
1985 Leah-Marian Jones Mezzo-Soprano Cilgerran
1986

Helen Miles

Arwel Treharne Morgan

Soprano

Tenor

Gorseinon

Llanelli

1987 Rhian Owen Soprano Llanberis
1988 Bryn Terfel Baritone Garndolbenmaen
1989 Rebecca Evans Soprano Neath
1990 Gwyn Hughes Jones Baritone Llanbedrgoch
1991 Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano Cardiff
1992 Elizabeth Ann Stevens Mezzo-Soprano Cardiff
1993 Anthony Stuart Lloyd Bass Cardiff
1994 Darren Jones Baritone Gelli
1995 Joanne Thomas Mezzo-Soprano Tonyrefail
1996 Jill Padfield Soprano Trinant
1997 Owen David Webb Baritone Pontlliw
1998 Emma Dennis Soprano Ferry
1999 Natasha Marsh Soprano London
2000 Andrew Rees Tenor Carmarthen
2001 Douglas Bowen Baritone Swansea
2002 Fflur Wyn Soprano Brynaman
2003 Sarah-Jane Davies Soprano Brecon
2004  Nicola Hughes Soprano  Tonna, Neath
2005 Katherine Allen Mezzo Soprano Cardiff
2006 Caryl Hughes Mezzo Soprano Aberdaron
2007 Rhian Mair Lewis Soprano

Aberystwyth

2008 Gary Griffiths Baritone Carmarthen
2009 Catrin Aur Soprano Carmarthen
2010 John Pierce Tenor Holywell
2011 Kathryn McAdam Mezzo Soprano Farnborough
2012 Trystan Llyr Griffiths Tenor Clunderwen
2013 Joshua Owen Mills Tenor Neath
2014 Rhiannon Llewellyn Soprano Swansea
2015 Emyr Wyn Jones Bass Baritone Aberdare
2016 Robert Garland Baritone Northampton
2017 Chloe Angharad Morgan Soprano London
2018 Kieron-Connor Valentine Countertenor Rhosllanerchrugog
2019 Osian Wyn Bowen Tenor Burry Port
2020 No Competition Global Pandemic
2021 Rhydian Jenkins Tenor Maesteg
2022 Rachel Roper Mezzo Soprano Hereford

                                                
We are always delighted to hear from past winners and finalists through our social media channels or, better still, come and visit us at rehearsal or a concert!

 

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