On song
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SUPPORTING young up-and-coming singers and musicians is the cornerstone of the work of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS).
It is a Llanelli-based organisation that selects talented young musicians from all over south Wales who share an aspiration to perform at a professional level.
It provides them with support, guidance and staging opportunities.
And, crucially, it also offers cash support to help youngsters develop their skills.
The financial burden of developing musical skills is quite significant, so, in 2017, LARS launched an annual bursary award scheme.
LARS performers who wish to be considered for a bursary must complete a stringent application and review process with the emphasis on how it would benefit their musical development.
Past bursary funding has been used for numerous items, including additional musical tuition, purchasing of music books, attending masterclasses and courses and paying expenses for interviews.
LARS chairman Cerith Owens is a Llaneli-based concert promoter. He said: “We’ve only been going a few short years but, in that time, we have had great success in developing young musical talent. Seeing our youngsters go on to bigger, better things, achieve awards and, hopefully, secure professional careers is one of the great features of LARS.
“We provide the mentoring which helps them achieve their ambitions.
“This week, we are delighted to announce the latest winners of the bursaries provided in association with Loud Applause Rising Stars.”
The four types of bursaries available to LARS performers are as follows:
■ Friends of LARS Bursaries
These are funded by the generous annual contributions of more than 80 Friends of LARS and are supplemented by regular fundraising events. In the current circumstances, the Trustees of LARS felt that it was more important than ever to continue supporting its members. Despite the challenges, they set aside £3,000 for the 2020 Bursary Award Scheme. This year the recipient of LARS bursaries are:
■ Joseph Cavalli- Price
■ Osian Clarke
■ Lauren Fisher
■ James Oakley
■ Imogen Price
■ Sydney Richards
■ Nikkila Thomas
■ Lauren Elizabeth Williams
■ St Elli Masonic Lodge Music Bursary
This is the fourth year that St Elli Masonic Lodge has sponsored a bursary. This year’s recipient is tenor James Oakley. Under normal circumstances, the Lodge provides an opportunity for the successful recipient to perform and meet their sponsors at the Lodge’s annual Sunday Lunch and at the Ladies Dining functions. Given the current coronavirus situation, that will have to wait for another day.
■ Llanelli Grammar School Boys and Graig Former Pupils Music Bursary
LARS has facilitated Llanelli Grammar School Boys and Graig Former Pupils Music Bursary for four years. One of the requisites for this bursary is that the recipient is a past or current pupil at a Llanelli school or college. This year’s recipient is mezzo soprano Nikkila Thomas. The successful recipient performs at the annual dinner of the Association and at other selected functions.
■ Cronfa’r Utgorn Music Bursary
This is the second year for this music bursary to be awarded to a LARS member. This bursary is provided by an anonymous gentleman from Carmarthen who has a strong commitment to supporting young people in the arts and sport. This year, the recipient is soprano Lauren Elizabeth Williams.
If anyone would like to support young people by sponsoring a bursary through LARS, please contact chairman Cerith Owens on 07854 303918, or email admin@loudapplauserisingstars.co.uk
A brief word about each of the recipients of 2020 LARS Bursary Awards:
■ Joseph Cavalli-Price is from Neath and has recently completed his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff.
■ Osian Clarke is from Tycroes and studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
■ Lauren Fisher, James Oakley and Imogen Price are from the Llanelli area and are pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade.
■ Sydney Richards is from Treorchy and is a pupil at Treorchy Comprehensive School.
■ Nikkila Thomas is from Llanelli and studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff.
■ Lauren Elizabeth Williams is from Glynneath and is a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera Bro Dur.
You can find out more about LARS on the website – www.loudapplauserisingstars.co.uk
During the coronavirus crisis, this column will not be featuring events, but will be putting the spotlight on west Wales singers and choirs. If you have news of cancelled and postponed events, email robert.lloyd01@ walesonline. co.uk