Seattle's 12th Annual Gymanfa Ganu
Annual Seattle Gymanfa Ganu -- October 10, 1999.
The Seattle Welsh Choir (Côr Cymraeg Seattle) is pleased to invite
you to our annual Gymanfa Ganu on Sunday, October 10, at 2:30pm , at the
Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd Street, Seattle.
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So what is a Gymanfa Ganu ?
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Choral singing is an important part of Welsh culture, and the cymanfa (gymanfa)
ganu (pronounced guh-MAHN-v GAH-nee) is a regular event in Welsh communities
around the world. Gymanfa ganu means "singing assembly". Originally
a method for learning hymns, the gymanfa is a session of community congregational
hymn singing in four-part harmony. Gymanfaoedd (plural of gymanfa)
have been held in Seattle since the 1800s, and we are pleased to continue
this tradition.
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This is an audience participation event, so bring your voice and your enthusiasm.
Bring your Welsh hymnal if you have one, but we'll have copies of the music
for those without hymnals. Hymns will be sung in both Welsh and English.
We'll help you pronounce the Welsh, which is easier than it looks.
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Special this year
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By special arrangement (and with kind support from the Puget Sound Welsh
Association), our conductor this year will be Mari
Morgan. Born and raised in Llanelli, South Wales, Mari graduated
from the University College of Wales, Cardiff, and Trinity College of Music,
London. Since 1989 she has pursued a career as a mezzo-soprano singer,
performing across North America, the United Kingdom, and France in recitals,
concerts, and presenting seminars and master classes.
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In 1996 Mari became a permanent resident of the U.S. and has become well-known
to audiences across the country, directing gymanfaoedd from New York to
Los Angeles. Mari founded and directs Côr
Cymry Gogledd America, the North American Welsh Choir (click here for more
information). This choir just gave its inaugural performance
to a standing ovation at the Welsh
National Gymanfa Ganu in Minneapolis, MN on September 4th. The
110 choristers in Côr Cymry Gogledd America include over 25 of us
from the Puget Sound area, and we'll all tell you how exciting it has been
to practice under Mari's direction for the past year.
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For special music, baritone Cliff Baker will sing a Benton Williams composition
that won this year's "Eisteddfod-by-Mail" sponsored by the newspaper, Y
Drych ("The oldest Welsh newspaper in America").
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Tea and cookies will be served at the Te Bach ("small tea") following the
singing.
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A Welsh craft table will be available so you can get a jump on your Christmas
shopping.
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As always, admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
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For further information, please contact:
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Merideth Kelley Phone: (206) 781-5272
kellym@zgi.com OR
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Evans Paschal Phone:
(206) 367-2415
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS from I-5
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Southbound: Take exit #175 (NE 145th St) and turn left (east)
onto 145th St. Head east across the freeway and continue for 1.5
miles to Lake City Way NE. Turn right (south) and head south 1 mile,
then turn left (east) on NE 125th St. Head east on 125th St, which
will curve right and become Sand Point Way NE southbound in about 0.5 mile.
Turn right (west) onto NE 123rd St. Lake City Presbyterian Church
is on your left in one block. Parking lots are to the south
and east of the church building.
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Northbound: Take exit #174 (NE 130th St) and immediately turn
right (SE) onto Roosevelt Way. Follow as it angles east and becomes
NE 125th St. Follow 125th St east across Lake City Way (1.4 miles).
Continue east on 125th St, which will curve right and become Sand Point
Way NE southbound in about 0.5 mile. Turn right (west) onto NE 123rd
St. Lake City Presbyterian Church is on your left in one block.
Parking lots are to the south and east of the church building.
This page last updated: September, 1999.
Write to us: Puget Sound Welsh Association
