Welsh Weekend of Song 2008

After much arranging and rehearsing and expert promotion by the Minnesota Gymanfa Ganu Association, the Welsh Weekend of Song concert turned out beautifully. It was a gorgeous autumn Saturday.

In the green room, the band and I warmed up.

Visited.

Laughed away our pre-concert jitters.
Okay, okay...MY pre-concert jitters.
Thanks, Martha.

Wondered what kind of crowd we would have in light of the perfect weather. But as evening fell, the people flowed into Bjorling Concert Hall at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter

What a wonderful space to perform in.
So warm and intimate feeling, it was hard to believe
the place holds 400 people.

The audience was so appreciative. The band and I had a lovely time performing our explorations of Welsh music. After quite a long break in performing, it was good to make music with them again for people.

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Sunday, I joined the Welsh at the Gymanfa Ganu (hymn sing) at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato. I played a solo set of Welsh songs for them, and the rest of the time, we sang Welsh hymns. In four-part, six-part, sometimes even eight-part harmony. These people can sing. It was glorious.

After some Welsh tea cakes and visiting with some old friends after the concert, I hauled harp and harpist home for a long Sunday nap. Very satisfied with a job well done.