Welsh Choir of Southern California

Music Director of the Welsh Choir of Southern California

by Caroline Roper-Deyo

April 28, 2007

Caroline Roper-Deyo: I understand that you have now reached your first anniversary with the Welsh Choir of Southern California as their new musical director. Congratulations/Llongyfarch!

Frank Williams: The first year has been exciting. I had decided to give myself and the choir a year to .settle in. and for me to work on some areas I thought needed addressed. My main concern was teaching the choir to hold back a little and not work the voice so much. I also needed to learn the correct Welsh pronunciation and this is still a work in progress.

CR-D: You took up the baton for the Choir after a very tumultuous and stressful season. What has been the most challenging aspect for you of assuming the musical leadership for the Choir?

FW: It is true that the choir was going through a rough time but I felt the members that remained were very dedicated so I worked with those members to re-build the choir. Now we are gaining new members and beginning to achieve the sound and blend I think the choir needed.

CR-D: Why did you accept the call when invited to be the new musical director for the Choir? (Are you crazy? Is it your Welsh genes that drove you to do it?)

FW: If only you knew how many times I asked myself that very question! The thing that kept spinning around in my head concerned the five hour round trip drive each week. With my other commitments and my daily work schedule, it seemed a little crazy for me to take on another position. I must say I did a lot of prayer and soul searching before making the commitment. The actual auditions convinced me that I was the right person for them and that I wanted to take on the challenge. Another aspect of my decision was the challenge to dig into my Welsh roots and see what it was that makes us (Welsh) so passionate about music. My grandfather was Welsh and being born in Pennsylvania, I was surrounded by Welsh people. My Lutheran background also gave me a great love of Hymns.

CR-D: I.m told that every Sunday you drive over three hours from San Diego to West Los Angeles and back in order to rehearse the choir. That.s quite a commitment. Why do you do it?

FW: The first few months driving were really difficult for me. I decided to use that time to listen to music and talk with my family back in Pennsylvania. Also, I use this time to quiet down from a hectic week and enjoy the peace. The hardest part is when there is a lot or traffic or a traffic jam. I also listen to Welsh tapes to help me with my Welsh. Recently, I have been told that I am listening to a little different dialect then our choir is singing. I better not get into that right now. Let.s just say I am getting corrected on my pronunciation.

CR-D: I understand that plans are currently underway for an East Coast Tour in May where the choir has been asked to sing at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C for California State Day.

FW: Now there was confirmation for me that I made the right decision. A director only gets to sing at the National Cathedral maybe once in their life. When we were asked to send a CD recording of the choir, I was not sure we could produce the quality and sound worthy of a Cathedral invitation. Again, the members came through and now in just a few weeks, we will be singing for twenty-five minutes at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. This not only validates the choir but it also is great exposure for the Welsh Choirs all over the United States.

CR-D: With all the good choirs in California it.s fascinating that the Welsh Choir of Southern California has been chosen for this unique honor? Do you think it.s the Welsh hymns and the language of heaven?

FW: Is that ever a loaded question. Certainly, when we sing at the Cathedral, the majority of our music will be based on Welsh Hymns. But also, the poetry and music produced from Welsh composers and arrangers will be heard. I do feel the fact that our choir sings in Welsh and does only music from Welsh composers or arrangers makes us unique. Also, we have to sing the music well. Our last concert showed me how well the choir can sing and how much they love singing.

CR-D: In a recent letter to one of your members, Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury regretted that he would not be able to be at the National Cathedral on May 20th for their performance but he was glad to know of their Welsh witness to the world. What do you think is unique about the Welsh witness?

FW: The passion and love of music. Hymns got it all started. You can.t go wrong when the basis of your music is from Hymn tunes and texts. I feel there is a lot to be explored and the more Welsh choirs get out and sing in public, the more exposure will generate interest in finding Welsh music and arranging Welsh tunes.

CR-D: Where else are you be taking the Choir on this tour?

FW: In addition to the Cathedral, we will be singing at Zion Lutheran Church in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. It is just a few miles from Harrisburg, the state capitol. Prior to singing at Zion Lutheran, we will be singing at the Capital Rotunda in Harrisburg. That will be quite a thrill for me as I sang there when I was in High School for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony held each year on the Capital steps. We have also been asked to sing at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. As a side note, most of my family lives in or around Harrisburg. Many of them have never seen me conduct so it will be a special evening for them and me when we sing in Hummelstown.

CR-D: Aside from the performances themselves what do you hope this tour will accomplish? For the Choir? For those who hear them? For the Welsh community?

FW: This tour will answer many questions for those who were not sure the choir would survive. I guess it would be safe to say..We.re back.. It is my deepest hope that anyone listening will not only judge the quality of the sound but also realize the beautiful music that has been created by generations of Welsh composers and arrangers. I want the Welsh community to be proud of their musical heritage and the choir is here preserving that heritage.

CR-D: Beyond this tour where do you hope to take the Choir in the future?

FW: I would like us to go back to Wales and also do a West Coast tour. We will always continue to serve the Southern California communities but I want us to think about doing more .outreach.

CR-D: Are you hoping to build the choir . increase in numbers . or are there other musical markers that you have?

FW: I try not to think about numbers. Certainly, there is a critical mass that is needed to produce a certain sound. My wish is to attract more singers so they can experience the joy of singing Welsh music. I would also like to produce another CD based on this tour. Our repertoire committee did a great job in coming up with a program that gives a history of the Welsh through music.

CR-D: Any final thoughts you.d like to share with our Website visitors?

FW: Support your local Welsh choir by attending concerts in your area. As a mentor of mine once said, .Sing what it is you believe.. And if you love to sing and you live in the Southern California area I hope you.ll give some thought to joining us. And thank you for taking the time to find out more about us.

CR-D: Thank you very much/Diolch yn fawr iawn.