At the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod 2022, renowned jazz-pop singer Kizzy Crawford will join a group of talented Coleg Cymraeg ambassadors to give an exclusive performance of an original song, '10', that they have jointly composed and written to celebrate the Coleg Cymraeg’s tenth anniversary.
During a busy and exciting year celebrating the Coleg Cymraeg’s tenth anniversary, the celebrations will continue at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron this year, and one of the highlights will be a special performance by Kizzy and the ambassadors on Wednesday afternoon, 3 August at 16:00 at the Coleg Cymraeg stand (M01).
To mark the tenth anniversary, Kizzy and a crew of talented ambassadors were commissioned to compose and write a special song, '10', and a accompanying musical video. The words were jointly composed and written by former undergraduate and postgraduate ambassador from Swansea University, Alpha Evans. Elen Jones, an ambassador from Swansea University contributes vocally, and Tesni Hughes, an ambassador from Ysgol David Hughes, Anglesey, contributes vocally and instrumentally. Celyn Jones-Hughes, a Medicine ambassador from Cardiff University is responsible for the creative dance.
Alpha Evans who is studying a doctorate in Welsh, and composes poems in her spare time, said: "I love Kizzy's music, therefore to be part of this project through the Coleg Cymraeg, and to have the unforgettable opportunity of working alongside a talented singer and song-writer was an incredible experience!"
Alpha began writing poems on social media during the first lockdown in 2020 when she was studying creative Welsh modules at university. She has also been an active ambassador for the Coleg since that time, and when the creative opportunity arose to mark the Coleg’s important milestone, Alpha was delighted to participate:
"I started the process by writing a list of all the Coleg’s achievements over the decade, and then I realised that these words would work well in a rap style to reflect the story in a powerful way. I sent my ideas to Kizzy and she responded positively and started producing music in her distinctive style. When I heard the finished song, I was so excited and I was absolutely starstruck to hear Kizzy sing my words!"
As a new face and voice for the welsh language scene it is extremely exciting for Tesni Hughes, a school ambassador who is in year 13 at Ysgol David Hughes, Anglesey to also take part. Not only will she be performing at Maes B this year, she has also contributed vocally and instrumentally to the song '10' and looks forward to co-performing with one of her musical heroins:
She said: "Kizzy has certainly been a great influence and inspiration to me as a young Welsh musician, and I can't believe that I will have the opportunity to share a platform with her on the Coleg Cymraeg stand to perform our special song. It is also an honour to be part of the Coleg’s major milestone, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. It will be a big moment for me."
Kizzy originally came to Wales from Oxford at the age of three and was immersed in the Welsh language at Aberaeron Primary School in Ceredigion. She later moved to Merthyr and attended Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Aberdare. At the age of 26, Kizzy has achieved a lot: she won the National Eisteddfod's Battle of the Bands in 2013, and has since been a regular performer on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Wales, and BBC Radio 4. She has also co-performed with the Manic Street Preachers, and performed on stage at Glastonbury.
Kizzy said,"It has been an honour to be part of this project to celebrate the Coleg Cymraeg's tenth birthday. Welsh-medium education is so important to me personally and so it is a privilege to have the opportunity to compose and convey this message in an original musical piece with talented students.
"Following a few busy weeks of collaboration, I look forward to co-performing the song live for the first time on the Coleg stand on the Eisteddfod field, and everyone will be warmly welcomed to come along."
To accompany the music, Wales is a visual background in a special musical video that has been produced and filmed jointly by Kizzy and the ambassadors in different areas across Wales.
A clip of the music video can be seen here and the entire video will soon be available on social media and the Coleg’s YouTube page.
According to the Chief Executive of the Coleg Cymraeg, Dr Ioan Matthews: "The last year has been an important and busy one for the Coleg as we celebrate our tenth anniversary. We are delighted to be returning to the Eisteddfod this year to continue to celebrate with you all. One of our most exciting events is the exclusive performance about the history of the Coleg’s first decade and to have the contribution of one of Wales's most popular composers and singers, Kizzy Crawford, and a crew of talented ambassadors. The last two years have been very challenging for students and musicians, so it's fantastic to celebrate in this way, and create memories."
Kizzy Crawford's performance and the ambassadors will take place on wednesday afternoon, 3 August, 16:00 on the Coleg Cymraeg stand (M01)
The whole programme of the events held by Coleg Cymraeg during the week can be found here