Eisteddfod hits the first note
YESTERDAY marked the start of the 90th Eisteddfod with the music section taking centre stage at Beau Sejour.
Featuring a variety of musical scores, new adjudicator Nancy Litten has joined the team this year and said she hopes to enjoy, mark and encourage the performers to be the best they can be.
‘Although I’ve done lots of adjudicating elsewhere, this is my first time adjudicating here,’ she said.
‘I’ll be here listening to bands, solos, duos, groups, I think it’ll be a great afternoon.
‘I’m here for the full 10 days and I’m looking forward to everything.’
Ms Litten won an Arts Council award to study with Julius Isserlis, a Russian pianist and composer, in London at 13, and an open piano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at 16, winning prizes during her studies there.
She has performed as a pianist in solo, orchestral and chamber music, and as a piano accompanist.
An ABRSM examiner and British and International Federation of Festivals adjudicator, she is from Kent.
‘Eisteddfod gives people a lot,’ she added.
‘It stands performers in good stead for the rest of their lives really, they’re able to work hard, build confidence and handle stress, it gives them the foundations of which to build upon for their future careers.’
The music section of the festival will see several genres performed, including classical, folk and pop, on a number of instruments, such as piano, cello and viola, all aiming to give their best in the hopes of being awarded with one of the trophies, cups and awards on offer at the festival.
This includes the Janet Bran cup, for the singer in the junior section showing the most promise, alongside various others up for grabs.
Today will see more performances of the music programme, starting at 9.30am for the morning session, with an additional afternoon and evening session.
Entry to the festival costs £4 for adults and £2 for children and pensioners during the daytime and £6 for adults and £3 for children and pensioners during the evening.
The event will culminate in a gala concert, featuring the festival’s prizewinners, on 24 March at Beau Sejour, priced at £12 for adults and £6 for children and pensioners.
