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- RHOS EISTEDDFOD NOTES.

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RHOS EISTEDDFOD NOTES. ANOTHER SUCCESS. The third annual chair eisteddfod in Llanerchrugog Park, has gone even one better than the two previous ones. In point of attendance it was a huge success and from the musical and literary side, its attractive array of entries made it second to none but the "National." In three short years, Rhos Eisteddfod has leapt to I one of the foremost places in the Eistedd- fodau, and threatens to outshine the long- standing Powis meeting, and to shake the celebrated Corwen one in its long-rooted bed. The flagellating spirit of competi- tion has gripped eisteddfod committees, as it has long since gripped business houses and commercial undertakings. Its sharp spur has set keen wits revolving and has revolutionised the methods ofl running eisteddfod meetings. We are proud to know that our two energetic I secretaries and our committees, have dis- played both great ingenuity and keen bus-, iness ability in the carrying out of our an- nual eisteddfod. All the arrangements were most satisfactorily engineered. FLUCTUATING FEELINGS. For fully a fortnight or three weeks be. fore the eisteddfod, the weather was most unsettled. Rain fell continuously and dark clouds hovered threateningly. The morning of the expected day however, opened dry, and the glasses promised a fine day. What was more, the promise was fulfilled. Bright bits of sunshine periodically flooded the park, and gave just that brightness and warmth necessary to tempt the ladies to don their most pic- turesque hats and dresses. With the ex- ception ot a very slight shower in the afternoon, the day remained fine to the end. THE GORSEDD The GorsedJ ceremony was this year arranged to be held on the Ponkey banks. The maen llog had been rolled some con- siderable distance further from Rhos than it ought to have been, and in the early morning, some ardent and muscular Rhos- itcs rolled it up again The proceedings were opened by Bethel before a large crowd assembled on the slopes of the j.eighbouring banks. After the Gorsedd prayer the local bards were called upon to recite from the maen Hog. This they did with much wealth of expression. Am.,ng the effusions, was one in English by the Rev R. Willliams, two verses of which ran thus Let the world boaat of it" pleasures Football, Cricket, and the rest; But we glory in the Uors^d:! Ar,d,we think that we are bed. Russian, French, and German farces May Httnck the British throne But the C.onedd of the Cymro The? mus-t t ver leave alone." The ceremony was enlivened by pen- niinon singing by Mr W. O. Jones, ac- companied on tiarp by Miss Bessie Jones 4 THE PROCESSION. After the Gorsrd 1, a procession w-ts formed to much t » Uarierchrugog Park, headed by Rhos Silver Baid, Following the band ware the bards and officers, whilst in the rear staked the bearer of the sword. There should also have been in the procession, two Rhos girls, dressed 'in ancient Welsh costume, but greatly to the disappointment of the maidens, the costumes failed to an ive in time. The streets were lined with spectators, many: of whom followed in the wake of the band to the patk. THE MORNING MEETING. The opening meeting was well attended. An excellent view of the stage was to be had from every part ot the tent, owing to the gentle slope in the pitch The con- ductor-the Rev R. Williams—at once got to work, and soon the meeting" was speeding on merrily The president was Mr A. E. Evans, Bronwylfa, who stated that it would give him pleasure to offer a challenge cup to be competed for under the name of the President's Cup. This generous announcement was greet- ed with a round of hearty cheers. THE CHILDREN. The chief features of the morning meet- ing were the competitions arranged for the children. There was an excellent competition on the action song between tttree local school parties. A group of young children are supposed to be play- ing in the fields, when a wasp suddenly -makes its appearance. The music is wet, and admirably suited to the situa- tion. The prize was awarded to Mr Elias Jones' party from Rhos National School, wh i gave a very fine rendering both mus- ically and dramaticilly. Seven choirs sang in the children's choir competition. We were glad to see Cor Gob lith do so well. This is a young choir just entering the competition arena, and its conductor, Mr Ted Lewis, is to be congratulated on the careful way he had trained his choir. The first prize was won by Chirk, and the second place secured by Cor Gobaith. The other musical items in the morning meeting were the soprano, the boy's, and the pianoforte solo. A poor level of excellence was arrived at io the soprano solo but the winner of the piano contest came in for a fine tribute Av i,.r huLlbutt filitVIDiZ. AFTERNOON. There was a still larger attendanceat the afternoon meeting, which was presid- ed over by Mr Timothy Davies, M.P. The sun shone at times through the tent openings, imparting a warm glow, and bringing out the garden-like effect of the ladies hats. The conductor was the Rev Charles Jones, a popular favourite here, and a born eisteddfod conductor. In his address the chairman urged them to go on preserving not only the language, but the spirit of the Welsh nation. The solo items of the afternoon were the baritone, the contralto, the violin, and the girl's so- lo. The contralto solo was of a very high standard, the prize going to Mrs Lewis, Capel Curig, who sang with beautiful feeling and expression. MALE VOICE CONTEST. Six choirs turned up in the male voice competition, the test piece being Dr Par- ry's Pilgrim's Chorus." It was expect- ed that there would be a battle royal be- tween three of the choirs, and the expec- tancy and interest, were great. Rhos choir sang first and created a favourable im- I pression. Moelwyn came second, led by their white-haired conductor—the hero of a hundred fights. Then came Broughton, Vron, Maelcr, and Machynlleth. The in- terest was beginning to flag when Mach- ynlleth came up, but livened up under the spell of theirsinging. Mr Jacob Edwards sang the solo for Rhos, Mr Powell Ed- wards, for Vron, and Mr Arthur Davies, Cefn, for Machynlleth. Although all the singers gave a good account of them selves, it was felt that the Machynlleth soloist outshone them all. The prayer in the rendering of this choir wa" thrillingly and hauntingly sung. In delivering the adjudication, Mr David Evans said the performance of the winning choir (Mach- ynlleth) was above criticism. It stood alone, and was one of the finest specimens of male voice choral singing he had ever heard. Maelor (Cefn) wece placed second and Rhos third EVENING. The tent in the evening meeting, was packed to bulging point. Dr J. C. Davies presided, and in his address said that in Rhos, patriotism was now at high water level. He hoped that while being good sportsmen, the youth of Wales would de- vote time to the culture of the mind as well as the body. SECOND CHORAL. Three choirs sang in the second choral competition, Llanerch, Rhos, and Peny. cae. The test piece was Dyddia'r Haf (J. Price). The second party, under the conductorship of Mr W. A. Hughes gave a beautiful rendering, but were unfortun- ate enough to sharpen a full tone. The prize was awarded to Penycae choir. The blend and balance of the winning choir were good, and the singing thorough- ly enjoyable. THE CHAIRING. The winner "f the chair ode proved to be the Rev W. A. Richards, Trebanos, and in his absence Councillor Morgan was chaired. M r Powell Edwards sang the chairing song with much verve. He was accorded a splendid reception, and had to respond to an encore. In the other musi- cal items, Mr Jacob Edwards won the prize for penillion singing, and Mr Parry Davies, Brynteg, won the tenor solo com- petition. r CHIEF CHORAL. Two choirs only sang in the chief chor- al competition—Coedpoeth and Cefn. Talke choir had entered but they did not turn up. The test pieces were" Come again sweet loveg" (Dowland) and Wor- thy is the Lamb." The competition be. tween the choirs was felt to be very un- even, and was an easy victory for Cefn. Coedpoeth were not foemen worthy of their steel. Cefn were given a rousing reception at the conclusion of their per. formance. They sang the madrigal de- lightfully, reminding one of the old days when gallantry and courtesy were among the fine arts. The chorus was also a fine performance, and was sung with expres- sion tinged with a fine restraint. Cefn were, amid acclamations, awarded the prize. MR DAVID EVANS, MUS. BAC. Mr David Evans, the musical adjudicat- or gave every satisfaction. His style was clear and decisive, and he delivered his adjudications fresh from memory. Mr Evans is still a comparatively young man, and well-known as a composer, adjudica- tor and conductor. At different times he has been taken by people for Mr Lloyd George, Sir Herbert Roberts, M.P., and Dyfed, and has had trouble more than once in persuading admiring throngs that he was simply David Evans, Resolven. In his younger days he used to make cop- ious notes when called upon to adjudicate, but later he trained himself to express himself extempore in adjudicating. It saved time, and had more vitality, sparkle, and life in it. On being asked after the eisteddfod what he considered the most outstanding feature of the day, Mr Evans confessed that what impressed him most, a) was the singing of the prayer and solo by the soloist and choir of the Machyn- lleth party. Although a hardened adjudi- cator of over twenty years standmg, he felt deeply moved by the solo, and had to cover his eyes with his hands to hide his emotion. HARPIST. No eisteddfod is complete without a harpist. It is a link with the past, and helps to keep alive the age-encrusted and romantic associations which the trail ot years has left behind us. The hawk and the falcon have long ago gone the horn of mead and the flowing flagon have crumbled into dust; serenading with lute and lyre is nothing more than a memo y. But thanks to the Eisteddfod, we still have the harp, and far distant be the day when it will cease to conjure dreams and visions in the Celtic heart. Miss Bessie Jones, the hatpist on Monday, was a play- er of great skill, and helped largely to produce the proper atmosphere necessary to the success of an eisteddfod. RECEIPTS We believe that the receipts will cover all expenses and leave a handsome sur- plus. Over £ IOO was taken by the sale of tickets before the day, and over £ ioo was taken at the gates on Monday. This is cheery news, and speaks volumes for the completeness and thoroughness of the preparatory work. It is the hidden spade work that tells. ACCOMPANISTS While most eisteddfod committees have to send far afield for their accompanists, we here had to spend no anxious thought on that score. In Mr Caradog Roberts and Mr Emlyn Davies, we have not only safe and reliable accompanists, but finish- ed players of rare ability. ART Connected with the eisteddfod was an industrial exhibition which was opened on Saturday. Dr J. C. Davies, presided over the opening proceedings. He said that whilst the muses were not put aside, he was glad to see that the art section was having more attention. He then in- troduced the Mayoress of Wrexham, who formerly declared the exhibition open. THE OFFICIALS. The splendid success of the Eisteddfod is due to a very large extent to the admir- able way in which the officials-one and all-worked. The secretaries, Messrs Jos Davies and J T Edwards were untiring in their efforts, and they were ably support- ed by Mr Samuel Jones, (treasurer) Mr C Morgan (chairman of committee) and others. A word of praise is due to the two stage managers, Messrs Dan Roberts and Powell Edwards, for their business-like manner of marshalling the choirs to and from the stage.

AT THE EISTEDDFOD.

The Denbighshire Territorial^

I, "The London and: Midland…

RHOS.

Adjudication of Rhos Silver…

Free Church Council.

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