Background to The Dunraven
Welsh Young Singer of the Year Competition

The Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year competition is presented by the Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir and sponsored by Dunraven Windows - Doors - Conservatories.

David Brace OBE, has sponsored and promoted the event since its start in 2003. Dunraven is David's Company.

​

While the Maesteg Gleemen were formed in 1958, the competition's recorded history of winners dates back over two decades. The history of the competition is characterized by its focus on different age categories and its recent resilience following a multi-year hiatus:

• Established Age Sections: The competition has long-standing categories for younger performers, with winners for both the 11–14 Years Section and the 15–18 Years Section recorded starting in 2003. A more senior 19–31 Years Section was later established, with recorded winners beginning in 2012.

• Recent Hiatus: The competition faced a significant interruption between 2020 and 2023 due to COVID19 pandemic, during which time the events were cancelled.

• Successful Resumption: The event successfully returned in 2024, continuing to showcase talent from various schools and music colleges across Wales and the UK.

• Organisational Heritage: The presenting choir, the Maesteg Gleemen, is the oldest choir in the Llynfi Valley and the County Borough of Bridgend. Their involvement brings a deep heritage of Welsh choral tradition to the competition, as they have performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and won numerous eisteddfodau since their inception.
   

The competition serves as a platform for emerging talent, with participants often coming from local comprehensive schools (such as Porthcawl, Cowbridge, and Brynteg) as well as elite institutions like the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.