Wales Festival of Remembrance (2)

Had a really great time yesterday.  The first half of the concert was nice and light, but the second was more serious.  The Gurkhas got a great reception from the audience, and they looked really smart.  I sat with some of the big-wigs, and some of them chatted with me in the wings before we went on, which helped me feel relaxed.  The singing went well - I shared a hymn with Oliver Barton, a 10 year old chorister from Newport Cathedral, who was really cute.  At the end they dropped fake poppies from the ceiling, which was a bit eerie, but made you think.  I had to wear a cassock, which was a bit weird for me.

Wales Festival of Remembrance - St David's Hall, Cardiff 5th November

Whilst busking in the city centre a couple of weeks back, I met Mark Stuart Burrows, who is producing theWales Festival of Remembrance in aid of the British Legion..  I was really made up to be asked to sing a solo at the concert - 3 verses of a hymn.  An opportunity like that, out of the blue, is so amazing!

Busking (again)

Had a great time busking again on the weekend.  People were so friendly and said nice things.  I've donated some of my proceeds to a charity set up by two boys from my school, in aid of  the Children's Heart Unit Wales and the Neuroscience Rehabilitation Service.  Have a look at their website http://www.headtoheart.co.uk/.  I am sure they'd appreciate any support.

CRISP concert 4 August

Last night I sang at a charity concert for stroke sufferers in Cardiff.  I did 10 songs and a couple of my singing tutor's other pupils did a couple of numbers in between.  The audience were really great, listened attentively, and applauded enthusiastically, so I came away with a really good feeling about it.  A really nice evening.

Busking for famine relief Friday 22 July 2011 - result!

Despite it raining the whole time, I had a successful time busking and raised £34.65 for the DEC famine appeal, which I'm taking to the bank tomorrow.

Busking for famine relief Friday 22 July 2011

School holidays have started at last!  So I shall be busking on Friday lunchtime in Cardiff city centre.  I had intended to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee East Africa Famine Crisis appeal, but my dad has since discovered that there are all sorts of rules which apply to charity fundraising, and I'm not old enough!  So all I can say is that I won't be keeping the money I raise on Friday, but will be giving it away.  Please support the famine appeal at

www.dec.org.uk/Somalia

Kids Got Talent (KGT)

I entered in a KGT competition on Saturday - mine was the only non-pop or dance act, so I felt a bit out of place, but I still got to the final in September.  It's all good experience.  Have to think what to do for the next performance now.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - 12 June 2011 (2)

Had a great time at the WMC today - there were four finalists who performed, and I was very proud to be one of them.  The weather was shocking - it tipped it down from first thing, so there weren't many people there, but it didn't stop it being a great occasion.   Here's a Youtube clip of me doing one of my songs.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - 12 June 2011

Some of the finalists of the Music in the Vale Competition are singing on the Glanfa stage at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 1pm on 12 June 2011.  I'll be doing 3 songs - do come along - it's free.

Turandot (2)

The performances are almost done - we're at the Birmingham Hippodrome tonight and again on Friday.  The reviews have been very positive and everyone seems happy.  It's just as well the kids aren't seen on stage because my arms are covered in bandages after scalding them with hot coffee!

Turandot

It's the dress rehearsal for the WNO production of Turandot tonight - the chorus master seems pleased with our singing.  The real thing starts on Saturday at the Millenium Centre.  One of the downsides of performing is that we don't get to see (or even hear) the rest of the opera.  Shame, as I was looking forward to Nessun Dorma.

Busking today

Had a great time busking today - have a look at the Youtube video:

Support from Kakapo fans

Since Sirocco the Kakapo spokesbird commented about me and my blog on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/siroccokakapo) I've had loads of people visiting my site from all over the world, including countries such as Taiwan and Japan.  Thanks for the interest and for the nice comments which have spurred me on to go busking today (Saturday).  I'll be in Working Street, Cardiff before lunchtime.

British Heart Foundation 50th anniversary concert - St David's Hall, Cardiff

Yesterday evening I took part in a huge concert celebrating the music from the theatre, and I sang as part of Fagin's gang in "Got To Pick a pocket or two", from Oliver!  Steve Evans did a great job as Fagin.  The headline act was Wynne Evans, the opera singer known to millions as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV ads.  He remembered me from when we toured together last year with the WNO, which was nice of him.  The concert was well attended, and I hope BHF made lots of money.

Me with Wynne Evans at St David's Hall

South Glamorgan Festival for Young Musicians

My Silver Medal

I took part in the Intermediate Voice competition this morning - a 9.30 start - far too early for me on a Sunday!  I sang Voi Che Sapete, and came 2nd to a very good performance from Lucy Rees, who sang Handel's Where'er You Walk.  Very classy.  The adjudicator, Bryan Husband, gave us all some useful advice.  I hope to improve for next year.

Competition next weekend

Getting a bit nervous now - everyone bangs on about expression and flapping your arms about - why isn't just singing it good enough?  I suppose it's what everyone expects.  I might do a bit more busking this weekend to see if I can try out a few moves etc.

Busking yesterday

Had a great time, lots of people made kind comments, and were generous with their contributions.  The weather was good, which helped.  Here's a photo of me warbling:

Busking on Saturday - update

Last minute changes by my parents(!) - I'll be there after lunch now.

Busking on Saturday

Forgot to say - I'll  be busking by the churchyard railings opposite the entrance to Queens Arcade, from about 11:00 on.

Busking on Saturday

I'm going to see if I can earn a bit of pocket money on Saturday by busking in  Cardiff city centre.  I give 10% of my earnings to my favourite charity The Kakapo Recovery Programme - their link is on the left hand side of the page.  Have a look - kakapos are such great birds, and I'd hate for them to become extinct.

New project

Just started rehearsal for a British Heart Foundation 50th Anniversary Gala Concert at the St David's Hall, Cardiff on Sunday 8th May 2011.  We'll be doing hits from a number of musicals, and today we brushed up our routine from Oliver!, picking a pocket or two.  It's a worthy cause, so please support it - see the link opposite.