Sophie takes the MOCSA Title
This Was Posted: 7th July 2024
With a new format operating this year the results of the 2024 MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition have been announced.
Aspiring young classical singers, with a Welsh connection, from many of the major music colleges in the UK and further afield performed before a distinguished panel of adjudicators last month. The adjudication panel of Rebecca Evans CBE, Huw Tregelles Williams OBE and Neal Davies evaluated the contestants, who were all expertly accompanied by Rhiannon Williams, during an absorbing series of heats. The Panel unanimously declared SOPHIE KIDWELL, a 29 year old mezzo soprano whose parents hail from Cardiff, as the winner. The runner up is EMYR LLOYD JONES, a 27 year old tenor from Bangor.
Following the announcement Sophie said ‘I am incredibly proud to have won MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year! It was my first competition and a wonderful experience – so incredibly friendly despite the very high standard of singing. I hope that it’ll lead to more performances on home turf!’
Both Sophie and Emyr will receive their respective awards at the Annual MOCSA Concert on Sunday September 15 in Swansea where they will be performing alongside the Morriston Orpheus Choir.
Commenting on the Competition, MOCSA Chairman John Mitchell said ‘At a time when there is so much gloom and uncertainty in the world, it was so uplifting to witness the extraordinary high standards of the contestants. What a joy to know that young Welsh singing tradition is safe in the hands of these young people.’
Competition Organiser Howie Johnson added ‘The new format introduced this year has worked well. We were very fortunate to again have the support of a strong team of Adjudicators and a top class accompanist for the event and this, coupled with the high standard of the soloists taking part, has led to a very successful 2024 Competition.’