Idaho Welsh Society - 2001 Gymanfa Ganu

Idaho Welsh Society Hosts Eleventh Annual
Pacific Northwest Welsh Weekend

The Idaho Welsh Society, under the leadership of John Owen, President, and in cooperation with the Welsh Association of the Pacific Northwest (WAPNW), hosted the Eleventh Annual Pacific Northwest Welsh Weekend in Boise, Idaho, April 20-22, 2001.

The Welsh Weekend is an annual festival promoted by the WAPNW and local Welsh societies, such as that in Idaho, to celebrate Welsh culture, music and song, festivities, and friendships — both old and new.
Members of other Welsh societies and the public are invited by the hosting society to gather each year and share in this regional celebration of Welsh heritage.

FRIDAY EVENING
The three-day festival began Friday evening, April 20, with the Noson Lawen (Merry Evening) at the Whitney United Methodist Church (UMC) in Boise. Talented locals and visitors from Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., and other Pacific Northwest communities entertained the audience with songs, instrumentals, skits, humorous poems, nostalgic stories, and more.

The Rev. Raymond Wright from England, and former Pastor at Whitney UMC, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Charming vocalists Taylor Owen and Matthew Young with host Ray Wright
			Soloist John Owen

SATURDAY
Saturday, Day 2, began with the Ysgol Gan (Singing School) to practice the musical harmonies and words (in Welsh and English) for the hymns to be sung at the Gymanfa Ganu on Sunday.

Saturday afternoon was filled with displays regarding Wales and Welsh culture. John Baker, Boise, presented a one-hour, two-projector, tour of people and places in Wales, blending words, stereo music, and photographic images in his "Visual Journey."

Demonstrations and displays of Welsh culture included spinning wool from local Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, weaving fabric from the spun wool, and creating bobbin lace – a craft dating to the Elizabethan Age. Those participating in or contributing to displays included Jackie Orcutt, Cindy Heagy, Robbie Solomon, and Pat Rohlder.

Saturday night’s Cyngerdd Mawreddog (Grand Concert) at the Whitney UMC included performances by the Whitney UMC Women’s Chorale and the Whitney UMC Men’s Ensemble, both under the direction of Connie Branton with Carolyn Panko as piano accompanist.

The Whitney Women’s Chorale has performed and competed at national and international levels. In 1993, the Chorale sang throughout England and in 1994 won first place at the Welsh North American Competition in Bellevue, Washington. In 1999, the Chorale traveled to Wales to participate in the Welsh National Eistedfodd, a competition in music, poetry, and dance and a celebration of the Welsh language. Saturday’s festivities concluded with informal singing.

SUNDAY
Sunday, Day 3 of the celebration, was highlighted by all raising voices in the Gymanfa Ganu, followed by the traditional Te Bach (Little Tea), both of which took place at the Whitney UMC.

The Gymanfa was under the direction of Donald Branton, with Carolyn Panko as piano accompanist. Traditional hymns were sung in four-part harmony, with verses alternating between Welsh and English.

Visitors from throughout the Northwest and the Rocky Mountain states, and from as far away as Ohio and England, shared in a wonderful afternoon of song followed by chats over hot tea and fresh Welsh cakes.

What a memorable Welsh Weekend!

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