Ysgol Glanaethwy Explained

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Ysgol Glanaethwy is a drama school in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. It is known in particular for its choir, Côr Glanaethwy.

History

Ysgol Glanaethwy was opened in 1990, founded by Cefin and Rhian Roberts.[1] It is a performing arts school that operates outside normal school hours. Younger children take acting lessons and choir practice and the older pupils have choir practice only.

The school became well known when its choir for older pupils took part in the UK TV channel BBC 1's Last Choir Standing show in 2008. The students went through auditions, callbacks, and knock out rounds. After being in the sing off once and chosen to continue by the judges, the choir won second prize in the phone-in vote for the final.

Choirs

The school has three choirs: the junior choir, the senior choir and the 'Da Capo'.

In 2015 Côr Glanaethwy also reached the live finals of Britain's Got Talent, finishing in third place.

In February 2018 the BBC controversially chose Côr Glanaethwy, instead of Bangor Cathedral's own choir, to sing during the St Davids Day edition of the Songs of Praise programme filmed at the cathedral.[2]

Awards

Glanaethwy have performed at the Royal Albert Hall's Schools Proms, and have won many competition prizes, including:

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Abbie Wightwick. Still doing it for the kids: Cefin and Rhian Roberts . Wales Online . 13 December 2008 . 30 May 2018.
  2. News: Kaya Burgess. BBC's Songs of Praise snubs cathedral choir . The Times . London . 1 March 2018 .