Without music, there could be no Welsh Festival. The Welsh have been known for their music for centuries and continue that tradition at their annual eisteddfod, held in August every year. Beginning in the 1100s, bards would gather throughout Wales to recite their poetry and sing songs to the music of traditional Welsh harps. The modern eisteddfod, which began in the 1860s, is the most prestigious music and poetry competition in the world. Choirs, ensembles, and soloists vie for awards during the week-long event, held one year in north Wales and the next in south Wales.

The Malad Valley Welsh Festival has roots dating back to the 1880s when Welsh pioneers, hearkening back to their native Wales, began their eisteddfod, holding it one year in Malad and the next in Samaria or St. John. The Malad Valley eisteddfod continued until World War I with competitors, judges, and attendees coming from as far as Salt Lake City.

The 18th Malad Valley Welsh Festival will feature many music events to entice people to come to hear all kinds of music, including Celtic music and Western country music.  The Festival will be on Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, with a Fireside on Sunday evening.  See www.welshfestival.com for the complete schedule.

Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus

Several years ago, Helen Ward worked with Louis Dredge to start the Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus to perform at the Welsh Festival.  The Chorus has sung at every Welsh Festival since then and has started learning some traditional songs in Welsh.  They will sing the Welsh National Anthem (chorus in Welsh) and the traditional “We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Valley” with words adapted to fit Malad Valley instead of Wales.  They will perform several times during the Festival, singing other traditional Welsh songs.

Outdoor Music

Celtic and Western country musicians will perform on the outdoor amphitheater in Malad City Park on both days of the Festival.  Bards and Nobles will perform traditional Celtic music on the amphitheater and at the Friday evening concert. Local Western musicians Lee Ivie and Ken Currier, who is in Malad visiting his daughter, will perform as soloists.  Other outdoor performers will be Finch and Magpies (a folk trio), Runestone, Seth and Sheila, and Vanessa Carpenter. 

Youth Concert

Some of Malad Valley’s most talented young people have been invited to perform at the Youth Concert on Friday, June 28, at 3:00 in the 2nd Ward Church. Students will perform piano, string, wind, and vocal numbers and demonstrate that Welsh music roots still run deep in Malad Valley.

Piano Ensemble Concert

Adults seldom get the opportunity to play piano ensembles, but many pianists will have that opportunity once again at the Welsh Festival.  Piano duets and quartets featuring many different types of music will be performed on Saturday, June 29, at 1:00 in the 2nd Ward Church. The concert will again conclude with Mack Wilburg’s rousing piano quartet arrangement of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Friday Evening Concert

The Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus will begin the Friday concert with traditional Welsh songs, including “Men of Harlech.” A Celtic harp trio will demonstrate the importance of the harp in Welsh music. Living back in Malad after several years away, Lee Ivie will perform several Western numbers on guitar and banjo. Celtic ensemble Bards and Nobles will perform several toe-tapping numbers to conclude the concert. The concert is at 6:00 on Friday, June 28, in the 2nd Ward Church.

Gymanfa Ganu

Almost any time two or more Welsh people gather, it turns into a Gymanfa Ganu, a Welsh term meaning “a gathering for the purpose of singing,” usually the singing of hymns. A short Gymanfa Ganu will conclude the Festival on Saturday as the attendees will be able to sing such favorites as “All Through the Night.” At the Sunday evening Fireside, Welsh hymns will be sung at the beginning and conclusion of the meeting, making it an authentic Gymanfa Ganu.

Everyone is invited to these music programs that are the heart of the Welsh Festival. The concerts are partially funded by grants from the Bistline Family Foundation and the Idaho Commission on the Arts.