On song
THE team at Loud Applause Rising Stars are launching a new award in memory of one of the charity’s most faithful supporters.
The Lawrence C Murphy Award will run for three years for members of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) - the group based in Carmarthenshire which works to mentor young singers and musicians throughout Wales.
Family and friends of the late Lawrence Clement Murphy have donated a large sum of money to LARS to be used towards the musical development of very promising members.
Mr Murphy was a well-known West Wales Freemason.
He was instrumental in initiating the St Elli Masonic Lodge Annual Bursary to LARS members.
He also provided LARS members with performance opportunities at the St Elli Masonic Lodge Ladies Dining Evening and at their Sunday Lunch event.
The Lawrence C Murphy Award will be presented annually for three years along with a cup or trophy to be passed-on between recipients. The award will be presented in January of each year to a deserving LARS member who has shown exceptional commitment to the fundamentals of LARS and has demonstrated excellent performing skills and development.
A sum of £250 will be awarded, with the trophy, at an official presentation.
Mr Murphy, who died on October 14, was a well-known and widelyrespected member of the community in Llanelli.
He was honoured a few years ago by his Masonic Lodge colleagues for 50 years’ continuous service to freemasonry.
Mr Murphy supported a wide number of charitable causes and took an active interest in the arts in Llanelli.
LARS chairman and concert promoter Cerith Owens said at the time of his death: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of Lawrence. He was a huge supporter of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) and the local musical scene, often seen supporting many events in the town.
“It is indeed very touching that the family have held LARS in their thoughts, with donations in lieu of flowers in memory of Lawrence being given to the charity. This is a touching and dear gesture for which we are very grateful.”
Mr Murphy was appointed as a Justice of the Peace (magistrate) in 1983 and served for 22 years, the last 15 years as deputy chairman of the bench in Llanelli.
He had been the chairman of the Licensing and Family Courts; chairman of the Welsh Association of Community Health Councils; and a patient representative on the General Practitioners Council in London.
Mr Murphy was widely regarded as a ‘living legend’ in the world of West Wales freemasonry.
Meanwhile, LARS officials are saying a big thank you to stalwart ‘Friends of LARS’, who have donated funds to make bursaries totalling £3,000 available to eight members.
In addition, thanks go to Llanelli Grammar School Boys and Graig Former Pupils Association, St Elli Masonic Lodge and the sponsor of the Cronfa’r Utgorn Music Bursary for their continued support.
LARS has also announced that its newest member is Darcey George, from Newbridge in Gwent.
Darcey is 16 and has been singing and performing since the age of three. She loves classical music, with opera being her particular favourite.
She has already attained high grades in classical singing examinations and recently passed her Grade 8 with a Distinction. She is now studying for her Music Diploma.
In 2014, Darcey was selected to be part of the all-wales Only Kids Aloud Chorus, which was directed by Tim Rhys-evans MBE.
Darcey also loves acting and recently played the part of Tobias for her school’s production of Sweeney Todd.
Since the age of 11, Darcey has been tutored in music by Mr Paul Cook, who is also her music teacher at school – St Alban’s RC High School Pontypool, Gwent.
Darcey is a current member of the National Youth Choir of Wales and has performed in numerous concerts.
In 2019, she was a finalist of the Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year 11-14 year age group which was held in Cardiff.
Meanwhile, in other news, the iconic Dwylo Dros y Môr 2020 anthem has hit itunes charts across the UK.
The song has reached the 15th position and is regularly climbing the charts.
As part of a special Christmas-time programme on S4C to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of the 80s classic, Dwylo Dros y Môr, it was decided to revive the well-known song and create a new recording to raise money for the Welsh Coronavirus Resilience Fund under the Community Foundation Charity Wales.
Anglesey singer and presenter Elin Fflur was tasked with co-ordinating it all with the help of musician Owain Gruffudd Roberts bringing together over 30 artists from today’s music scene (under the guidance of the Welsh Government’s distance) to create a new arrangement of Dwylo Dros y Mor 2020.
Since its broadcast on S4C, the song continues to climb the UK itunes charts.
“The response has been absolutely amazing,” said Elin Fflur. “It’s a song that manages to unite people in a completely natural way. I’m sure that being able to pull together today’s musical scene artists has created a positive energy in such a difficult year for so many people. The symbol of hands reaching out is as relevant this year as ever before and I’m delighted that our new arrangement of such an iconic song has touched the hearts of a new generation of Welsh people.”
Another who is happy to see the song breathe new life is musician Huw Chiswell who composed the original song back in 1985. “I had no idea that Dwylo Dros y Môr would still be heard and sung 35 years later,” he said.
“I’m really proud of the song, and hearing new voices giving it energy and new life is really encouraging. The brief I got back in ‘85 was to create an anthem that everyone could join in the chorus. I composed the song in Cardiff, I had just got my first piano and it was a miserable and wet day and that’s where the first line came – ‘Fe ddaeth y glaw i guro’r to’ (The rain hits the roof). I followed my nose with the rest of the song - and it came fairly easily afterwards. “
Among the artists involved in recreating the new look anthem are Mared Williams, Rhys Gwynfor, Kizzy Crawford, Heledd Watkins (HMS Morris), Elidyr Glyn (Buzzard) and Elin Fflur. There are some family connections between the latest song and the original; sisters Lisa, Gwenno and Mari from folk trio Sorela follow in the footsteps of their mother, Linda Griffiths who sang in 1985. Sion Land, son of drummer of original song Graham Land also keeps the beat 35 years later .
“Originally, 35 years ago, the song was created to raise money for a crisis happening on the other side of the world; but this year is a very different crisis, ”said Elin Fflur.
“2020 has been such a difficult year - Covid has affected us all, but some people in our communities have been devastated by the pandemic. And that’s where this charity, the Wales Coronavirus Resilience Fund, is important; it operates on the ground in our communities. I urge everyone to buy the song - we’re still in the middle of the pandemic, so if we can help the cause by downloading a song, then go for it! The song continues to climb the charts – help us reach the top and make a difference!”
You can download the song at https://www.s4c.cymru/cy/cerddoriaeth/dwylo-dros-y-mr-2020/