JMU Dominates Across the Pond

This weekend the JMU Chorale and Madison Singers returned from a 12 day trip to the UK where they represented JMU and the United States in the International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which has been running since 1947, is a six day festival of music, dance, and song.

The James Madison University Chorale and the Madison Singers counted themselves among groups from 29 countries around the globe participating in the Eisteddfod this year. Groups were required to submit recordings along with an application to be considered for participation. JMU competed in 6 categories: Youth Choir, Mixed Choir, Folk Song Choir, Chamber Choir, Male Choir, and Female Choir. The above picture features Dr. Walders, who led JMU at Eisteddfod, and the four singers who were the JMU representatives for the USA in the competition's showcase of nations (a la Olympic opening ceremony). Looks like a crowd that's gonna be ready for some tailgating in the Fall!

The James Madison University Chorale took 1st place in the Youth Choir competition- their first performance right out of the gate, edging out two other American choirs for a USA sweep. Along with winning first, JMU was presented with the International Trophy and £650 in prize money. See the first place performance here: http://www.llangollen.tv/en/clip/67.

The Madison Singers placed third in the Chamber Choir category claiming a £275 prize for the university. The University of Houston Chorale took first and an ensemble from Iceland took second. See the Madison Singers' performance here: http://www.llangollen.tv/en/clip/90.

James Madison University consistently ranked in the top 5 of the other four categories entered. The American groups were outstanding in the Eisteddfod and proved to be JMU's biggest competition across the board. The United States placed in the top 3 of every choral category and the Westminster Chorus (California) went on to receive the festival's highest honor, Choir of the World.

Prior to the Eisteddfod, JMU toured England with performances in London at St. Bartholomew the Great (Shakespeare in Love was filmed there) and at the Holy Trinity Church where the Dukes performed the Durufle Requiem with the University of London and Imperial College choirs. The following concerts were in the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral (the best acoustic in the UK with a 7 second reverb), Coventry Cathedral, and The Church of the Holy Rood in Swindon where JMU had a joint performance with the Wessex Male Choir. The picture above was taken at the River Dee in Llangollen, Wales.

The Dukes turned some heads at their international debut and were featured on Welsh National Television and BBC radio. Only a university as great as James Madison could turn out a choir like this!

Go Dukes!

Sarah Wagoner, Class of 2008

James Madison University Chorale

A big thank you to Sarah for the awesome article!