“Music” and “Wales” are nearly synonymous because the largest and most prestigious music and poetry competition in the world – the eisteddfod – has been held in Wales since 1176. The modern eisteddfod began in the 1800s and has been held annually except 1914 and 1940.  Music also is a large part of the Malad Valley Welsh Festival, which is June 30-July 1.

Haywire Ranch String Band

If you have ever wondered what life along the pioneer trails was like in the 1800s (until the train arrived in 1869), come to the Malad Valley Welsh Festival!  The Friday evening program will feature Downey’s Haywire Ranch String Band, performing their “radio broadcast” from the pioneer trail, complete with commercials and stories involving Malad names, places, and people. 

Cory Webster, the 2019 Bard of the Welsh Festival, will recite some of his original cowboy poetry, and he and his wife Jill will perform songs similar to those the pioneers would have sung along the trails heading west.  This entertaining program will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, at the 2nd Ward building (the church next to Malad City Park).

Music in the Park

Celtic and western music will be performed by several groups on the amphitheater in Malad City Park on both days of the Festival. Louisa’s Legacy and Teton Skye from Idaho Falls and Rhiannon from Pocatello and Idaho Falls will perform traditional Celtic music on authentic Welsh instruments, including fiddles, drums, tin whistles, and flutes. In addition, the Haywire Ranch String Band and Ken Currier will perform western music to entertain the audience outdoors.

Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus

Comprised of male vocalists from throughout Oneida County, the Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus will perform traditional Welsh songs several times during the Festival. Led by Louis Dredge and accompanied by Maggie Lund, the Chorus will sing at the Opening Ceremony on both days, the Friday evening program, the Finale, and the Sunday Fireside. They will welcome everyone to the Festival with the traditional “We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Valley,” with words changed to fit Malad Valley. They will also perform the stirring Welsh National Anthem several times as well as Welsh favorites, including “Calon Lon,” “All Thru the Night,” and “Men of Harlech.”

Concerts

The Youth Concert will feature young musicians performing piano, instrumental, and vocal numbers on Friday at 3:00 p.m. in the Church Chapel.  On Saturday at 1:00 p.m., adult pianists will perform at the Piano Ensemble Concert. This concert will conclude with Mack Wilberg’s stirring arrangement of “Stars and Stripes Forever” for eight hands on two pianos. 

After the Adult Poetry Reading and Chairing of the Bard, the Finale program will end with a gymanfa ganu (sing-along) of several Welsh songs. The Finale will begin at 2:30 p.m. and conclude about 4:00 p.m.

The music programs at the Welsh Festival are partially funded by grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the Bistline Foundation. For the complete schedule, see www.welshfestival.com.