A Celebration of Music and Poetry

My son's school has for the past two days been buzzing with culture - music has been ringing out from different venues across the school campus, boys are walking about either on their way to compete, or to support their peers and external examiners are having a tough time awarding points. 

I popped in yesterday to listen to the boys perform in the Junior Woodwind Classical, Light and Jazz section and was very glad to be part of the creative energy that prevailed. They delivered pieces from composers as diverse as Scott Joplin and Franz Danzi. 

The Eisteddfod is in its 25th year at the school. The boys compete in  five sections - Speech, Performance, Visual Arts, Music and a group Singing competition (which is the culmination of the two days). The singing competition involves every boy in the school. What  a wonderful opportunity for young people to explore their creativity and to appreciate the talents of their peers. 

An "eisteddfod" is a celebration of music and poetry. It has its roots in Wales and goes back to the 12th century to a certain Lord Rhys who decided to have  gathering of musicians and poets from all over the country, at his castle. A chair at the Lord's table was awarded to the best poet and musician. Over time it became an annual event, alternating in North and South Wales - it lasts for about a week with people camping in tents on fields, dancing maidens and men dressed in flowing costumes and meetings around a circle of white stones that is the mark that an eisteddfod has taken place.