2026
The 2026 Dunraven WYSOY Competition
What another fantastic afternoon of music making at the RWCMD in Cardiff on Sunday June 7th.
Under the direction of our lovely compère, Beverley Humphreys MBE the much increased audience were entertained by the combined choirs of the Maesteg Gleemen and our friends from Kenfig Hill prior to the 11-14 and 15-18 competitions.
Honey Morrison from Porthcawl Comprehensive started the 11-14 competition and was followed by Jena Salhab(Cowbridge Comprehensive) and Summer Mainwaring from Porthcawl Comprehensive. All 3 performed to a high standard and were a credit to their families and schools. First prize was awarded to Jena Salhab. Congratulations !
Cowbridge Comprehensive provided all 3 finalists in the 15-18 competition with Emmie Harris, Felicity Clewer and Isobel McMeechan attempting to win the trophy. Another high quality final saw Felicity Clewer taking the title.
Congratulations to all 6 finalists.
The first half concluded with the choirs performing Unwaith Eto yn Nghymru Annwyl and Tydi a Roddaist, accompanied by Suzanne Hodges and conducted by Alun.
The major competition took centre stage in the second half and the audience were treated to a high quality final. Eleanor Woods(Soprano ) from the David Seligman Opera School opened the competition followed by Katherina Russell(Soprano )from the Guildhall School of Music, London, Eiry Price(Soprano) RWCMD and tenor Sam Britner from the Royal Academy of Music, London.
All finalists were accompanied magnificently by Ryan Wood and Sian Davies, our resident acccompanists.
The standard was incredibly high and the adjudication a difficult one.
While the deliberations were being made, the audience were entertained by the combined choirs under the baton of Rhian Thomas and accompanied by Rachel Skerret. A selection of songs including Yma o Hyd, American Triology and Llef were well appreciated by the audience.
As in 2025, the adjudicators, Rebecca Evans CBE, Dennis O’Neill CBE and Grant Llewellyn MBE, selected joint winners of the Dunraven WYSOY 2026 to Eiry Price and Sam Brittner but congratulated all 4 finalists on their outstanding performances.
The choir are extremely grateful to everyone taking part and contributing to a wonderful event and are fully appreciative of the staff at the college for their dedication and professionalism.
We are all looking forward to 2027, can it be bettered?
The competition is only possible due to the extremely continuing generous sponsorship of the Dunraven Group via our President Mr David Brace OBE and his wife Dawn. Our sincere thanks to you both.
Alun Hodges
MD
Maesteg Gleemen
Presented by:
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The Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir. (Front Rows)
With special guests, the Kenfig Hill & district Male Voice Choir. (Rear Rows)
​Further details about the event can be seen in the event poster, Click here to view.
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The first to perform was Honey Morrison from Porthcawl Comprehensive School. She competed in the 11 - 14 year category.
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Hear part of her performance in the video on the right.
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Also competing in this category were Jena Salhab, Cowbridge Comprehensive and Summer Mainwaring from Porthcawl Comprehensive.
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See the Event Program for more details.
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The 15 - 18 Year Old category was represented by Emmie Harris , Felicity Clewer and Isobel McMeechan all from Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
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The 19 - 31 competitors were Eleanor Woods (soprano) from David Seligman Opera School, Katharina Russel (Soprano) from Guildhall School of Music, Eiry Price (Soprano) from RWCMD and Sam Britner (Tenor) from Royal Academy of Music.
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Many of the performances by both the competitors and the choirs were acknowledged with standing ovations.
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The glass shields were awarded to the winners of each category.
The two extra awards, in the form of inscribed glass bowls, were awarded as shown in the inscriptions below:
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The first was inscribed
"To David and Dawn with Appreciation for your generous sponsorship of the Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year Competition
The Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir"
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The second one was inscribed
"To Gwyn Evans, our working man, for your outstanding dedication to the organisation of the Dunraven WYSOY from day 1
Diolch yn Fawr Iawn .
The Maesteg Gleemen MV Choir"
Flowers were also presented to the ladies who do so much behind the scenes in organising this annual event.
The awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements and dedication, honoured those who have made a significant impact. Let's acknowledge their contributions and inspire one another for another year of excellence.
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Many of those involved assembled on the stage for a final closing speech.
Not only was the event greatly appreciated by the audiance but also the participants. Here are comments, emailed to the organisers, by two of the competitors.
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All my thanks for the amazing weekend, and please pass on my thanks to everyone in the choir.
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I had such a blast performing yesterday!