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Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Welsh singer Iris Williams who sang for a US president dies aged 79
Welsh singer Iris Williams who sang for a US president dies aged 79 Iris received an OBE for services to music 21 years ago The Welsh singer performed for US President Gerald Ford on several occasions (Image: Don Smith/) Iris Williams OBE has died aged 79 in the US, where she was living. The renowned Pontypridd-born singer was best known for her hits which included He Was Beautiful and Pererin Wyf, the Welsh-language version of Amazing Grace. The singer was a product of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where she received a scholarship before going on to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Queen, as well as also performing for US President Gerald Ford on several occasions. She rose to fame in the 1980s and in 2004 was honoured with an OBE for her contributions to music. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Iris performing on her own BBC show in 1979 (Image: Don Smith/) The 79-year-old performed on the Welsh BBC pop show, Disc A Dawn, and later featured in her own BBC TV show. She then went on to win Cân i Gymru, a Welsh-language talent competition, having performed the song I gael Cymru'n Gymru Rydd, which translates to For a Free Wales. Article continues below In 1999, Iris also took part in a concert which celebrated the opening of the National Assembly of Wales. Her brother Ashley paid tribute to her to the BBC. He said: "I never met her until we were adults and it was wonderful to meet up with her. In my opinion she was one of Wales' most underrated singers. "She had a tremendous career, it was very hard for her growing up." Iris was brought up in a children's home in Tonyrefail (Image: Getty Images ) The St David's Society of the State of New York said Iris had "joined the heavenly chorus where her joyful singing will surely bring those joys beyond measure which we have been honoured to share". They continued: "New York held a special place in her life and it was here that she gave birth to her only child Blake." Article continues below Opera singer Beverley Humphreys also paid tribute to the singer. She said: "Iris had her own unique jazz style - vivacious and elegant - with a twinkle in her eye, she had a way of inhabiting each song she sang. "Iris was a story teller whose voice could set your feet tapping or touch your heart."
Western Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Final call for entries to Pendine Young Musician of Wales
Royal composer Paul Mealor has extended a final call for entries to the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition. Open to instrumentalists and singers, the competition will be held during the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral, from September 11 to 20. Mr Mealor emphasised the potential impact on participants' careers, saying: "It's a very special competition that can launch a career and we're indebted to Pendine Park for sponsoring it." The competition, funded by the Pendine Park care organisation, offers a generous prize pool for the top four finalists. The overall winner will receive the silver Pendine Trophy and £2,000 in cash. The second prize winner will secure £1,000, and two runners-up will be awarded £500 each. The performances of all four finalists will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru. A panel of judges, including Professor Helena Gaunt, Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; Rebecca Evans CBE, a world-renowned operatic soprano; and Alun Jones, the festival's executive vice-chair and former principal of Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, will select the winners. While the judges deliberate, last year's winner, Cardiff-based harpist Heledd Wynn Newton, will entertain the audience. The competition is open to all young musicians, either born or residing in Wales, or Welsh nationals living abroad, who were under 21 on January 1, 2025. Applicants under 18 will need the permission of their teacher or parent to enter. Mr Mealor added: "If there's any young instrumentalists or vocalists who want to have a chance to win thousands of pounds in prize money and to perform live on BBC Radio Cymru, they need to get their skates on." Entrants must upload their performance via a link on the festival's website to be judged anonymously. Selected participants will advance to the semi-final to perform a 10-minute programme, with four finalists competing the following night. Festival founder Mario Kreft said: "Our aim is to encourage and foster young, emerging talent and the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition has all the makings of a very prestigious event. "I think in years to come it will be one of the premier competitions for young musicians and will hopefully assist them and propel them in their careers." He added: "Like Paul, I would urge young musicians right across Wales to submit their entries now. "We can't wait to hear them perform, and to follow their futures in the world of music." The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, July 4. Entry forms can be downloaded from the festival's website.
