The Gwyl Gerdd Llanfyllin Festival

Harp gala: Theatr Hafren, Newtown

Come and enjoy our exciting new venture - a brilliant evening showcasing the harp in all its versatility and beauty. We aim to present something for everyone: classical pieces, folk, jazz and songs in English and Welsh. There will be traditional song and music in both languages and possibly some dancing too.

Harriet Earis specialises in the Celtic harp and is accompanied by Colman Connolly on ulian pipes. They will accompany the choral music and may perform solo too.

Sian James is a Welsh traditional singer and harpist who has been performing since childhood. She has also made recordings, toured worldwide and has presented and performed her own music in a series on S4C.

Alecs Peate, harpist, and her partner, tenor Edryd Williams, perform traditional Welsh music at concerts and eistedfodds, and have also made recordings.

Beck Siàn is a traditional singer and songwriter who particularly loves to write about storms, nature and ghost stories. In 2004 she won the Ranges Folk Festival songwriting Award for her song "Under thunderous skies". We are fortunate to have her here in Newtown, as she is shortly returning to her native Australia.

David Watkins has an international career playing the pedal harp. Many compositions have been written especially for him, and he himself has composed works for the harp. He has given regular master classes, and was for many years Professor of Harp at the Royal College of Music.

To contrast with the soloists, there will be the beautiful harmonies and and power of choral singing from the well known, high calibre ensembles, Llansilin mixed voice choir and Pen y Bont Fawr Male Voice Choir.

Transport to Newtown from Llanfyllin will be available.