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James Hildreth
Our 'official' Welsh Society of Central Ohio organist James D. Hildreth received his Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Sacred Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. From 1982-1987, Mr. Hildreth was Director of Music Ministries at the First United Methodist Church in Griffin, Georgia, during which time he was also a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw. Since 1987, Mr. Hildreth has been Organist at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio. An active member of the American Guild of Organists, he is a Past Dean of the Columbus Chapter. For the AGO Discovers Columbus Region V AGO Convention held in June 2007, he served on the Steering Committee, as Coordinator of the AGO/Quimby Region V Competition for Young Organists, and was a performer for one of the worship services. He also writes reviews of recordings for The American Organist. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at Capital University in Columbus, and teaches private piano and organ. Since 1988 he has been Organist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and has performed numerous times with the Columbus Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra. He has given solo organ recitals in various locales, including venues in Ohio, Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City, Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Massachusetts, and for the 2003 National Convention of the Organ Historical Society in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hildreth performed at the Organ Hall in Dnepropetrovsk, the third largest city of Ukraine, on November 2004. He was the first American to perform there.
Valorie Adams
A Columbus native, Valorie Adams participated as a youth in the Columbus Symphony Cadet and Youth Orchestras, winning first prize in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Solo Competition her senior year in high school. She received degrees in Flute Performance from the Eastman School of Music (Bachelor’s) and Duquesne University (Master’s), studying with Bonita K. Boyd and Bernard Z. Goldberg. Valorie participated in advanced master classes with Walfrid Kujala, James Galway, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Samuel Baron, Marcel Moyse, Liisa Ruoho, and most recently William Bennett at Wildacres and Great Lakes Flute Festival. Currently, she is First Flute/ Piccolo in the Ohio Capital Winds, a professional Wind Ensemble conducted by Catherine Hope-Cunningham. Valorie also is an active freelance performer representing Paragon Music and Entertainment, the Brighton Trio (flute, violin, and cello), Duo Dolcissimo (flute and harp), and Duo Celeste (flute and keyboard). Valorie maintains a private flute studio in the Westerville area and has been a Columbus Greater Arts Council Artist-in-Schools representative. Her students are active in the Capital Youth Symphonic Band, Junior Winds Ensemble, OMEA adjudicated events, Ohio University Honor Band and the Ohio State University High School Honor Band. A select group of her students form the Silver Dreams Flute Ensemble.
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Mary Ellen Morgan
It is no surprise that Cwm Rhondda received more than double the votes for favorite hymn than the second place hymn, Penpark. There was a tie for third place among Arglydd, Dyma Fi; Blodwen; and Rachie.
Cwm Rhondda also won with the greatest number of votes in all three slots, followed by Penpark, then by Calon Lan getting the third greatest number.
The ballots contained many notes from members of the Welsh Society of Central Ohio that they were having a great deal of difficulty choosing among the hymns as so many were dear to their hearts.
Our conductor for the 2008 Gymanfa Ganu, Ann Gillard, director of the Columbus Welsh Singing Society, will be sure to choose all of the first and second place winners and many of the third place winners for us to sing on October 19, 2008, at Central College Presbyterian Church, so make sure you're there.
The following hymns received nominations as first place favorite hymns: Arglydd, Dyma Fi; Blodwen; Calon Lan; Cwm Rhondda; Deemster; Diadem; Penpark; Rachie. Those nominated for second place favorite hymns were: Arglydd, Dyma Fi; Ar Hyd y Nos; Blodwen; Bryn Calfaria; Calon Lan; Crimond; Cwm Rhondda; Diadem; Penpark. Those nominated for third place favorite hymns were: Aberystwyth; Blodwen; Calon Lan; Cwm Rhondda; Diadem; Huddersfield; Llef; Mae D'eisiau di Bob Awr; Penpark; Rachie; Sandon; Sanctus.