Fredericksburg Welsh Festival
Fredericksburg, Virginia (pop: 24,286) will be the center of attention this weekend as the community’s annual Welsh Festival celebrates the region’s unique Celtic history and heritage. Recently we spoke with Scott Harris of the James Monroe Museum about the festivities.
What are your own roots?
I am a combination of Welsh (!), English, Scots-Irish and German. On my father’s side, John Harris of Bristol, England arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in 1611. His descendants spread across the lower portion of Virginia and into the Shenandoah Valley, branching out into parts of what would become Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. On my mother’s side, I am directly descended from Anna Elizabeth Ermentraudt, a widow from the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany who arrived in Philadelphia in 1739 with seven children. They eventually settled in the Central Shenandoah Valley, and the family name evolved to Armentrout (my mother’s maiden name). These diverse threads came together in 1956 with the marriage of my parents.
When and why did you get involved with this event?
The James Monroe Museum wished to promote awareness of Monroe’s Welsh heritage. In 1989, the museum collaborated with several Fredericksburg residents of Welsh ancestry to present the first “Little Welsh Festival” in the 900 block of Charles Street where the museum is located. This also inspired formation of the Welsh Society of Fredericksburg.
Why is it an important event for the community there?
The Fredericksburg Welsh Festival (as it is called today), highlights both the specific tie to James Monroe’s family and broader elements of Welsh heritage and culture. It is one of a handful of such events in the United States and the only one in Virginia (I misspoke when I said it was the only one on the East Coast—there are similar events in New York and Pennsylvania. Our Welsh festival is an enduring part of the mix of history, music, and art that characterizes Fredericksburg. Our city was founded in 1728, though English settlement in the region began in the 1670s. The area has significant ties to the early life of George Washington and James Monroe, and was the setting for several major battle of the American Civil War.
Who attends the event?
Visitors come from across the United States and numerous other countries, reflecting the draw of Fredericksburg generally for tourism.
What can they expect this year?
Welsh music, poetry, storytelling, crafts, and living history (in the form of a James Monroe historical interpreter). We also have Welsh goods for sale as well as items from our Museum Store.
How has the festival evolved since last year?
There is not much significant evolution from last year. In fact, the basic pattern for the event was set early on, and little has changed.
Will you remain involved with the event in the years ahead?
We hope to continue the festival in perpetuity.
How else are you involved with the Welsh community here?
The festival is the museum’s principal involvement with the local Welsh community.
What can we be doing better to preserve and promote Celtic culture?
There is always room for improvement in making people aware of not only Celtic culture, but the cultures of all people. We are proud that the Fredericksburg Welsh Festival has endured for 25 years in its effort to promote a heritage that is important to the story of James Monroe and our region.
www.welshfred.com/welshfestival201.html
http://jamesmonroemuseum.umw.edu
I look forward to attending the Welsh Festival this year! Do you need any event volunteers?
Thanks,
Danielle Noel Gibeson for Senate of Virginia 2019
I wanted to let you know about Johnsboys Choir from Wales. Their voices are heavenly. Since their appearances on Britain’s Got Talent they have gone out to sold out concerts all over the UK. In this, their latest news email they now have bookings in Canada. I have cut and pasted here a copy of this brand new email from them:
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View email in browser | January 2025
Johns’ Boys Newsletter
A Spectacular Start to 2025
Happy New Year from all of us at Johns’ Boys Choir! We’re off to an amazing start, and we’re so excited to share all the highlights and news from this month with you.
A Magical Beginning
This year began with a heartfelt homecoming to Stiwt Theatre, the very stage where we first performed as a choir in 2016. The sense of nostalgia was overwhelming, and seeing the theatre packed to the rafters made the evening unforgettable.
Making History
Next, we made history at Theatre Hafren in Newtown, becoming the first choir to sell out two consecutive nights! The energy in the venue was electric, and our soloists shone brighter than ever.
Adding to the excitement, we launched our 2025 Souvenir Tour Programme, which was met with incredible enthusiasm. Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy – it means so much to us as we embark on this journey together.
Tickets Now on Sale – Don’t Miss Out!
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets for our upcoming concerts are now available. Don’t wait too long – tickets are selling fast!
York Minster
We’re performing at this iconic venue for the very first time. This promises to be a breathtaking event you won’t want to miss!
William Aston Hall
Tickets for both nights of our annual concerts are already halfway sold! Secure your spot soon to avoid disappointment.
Grab your tickets here: JOHNSBOYS.CO.UK
Christmas Concert Series
Following the incredible success of our Christmas concerts, we’re also excited to announce a Christmas Concert Series. Details will be shared exclusively with you soon, so stay tuned!
Canada, Here We Come! ✈️
We’re beyond excited to announce that this April, the choir will embark on a tour of Canada! From April 19th to April 28th, we’ll perform at stunning venues and participate in celebrations of Welsh culture.
Here’s a preview of our Canadian adventure:
April 19th:
Performance at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
– a truly breathtaking venue.
Elora Theatre:
Another unforgettable concert awaits at this fantastic theatre.
April 25th-27th:
Ontario Welsh Festival
We’ll proudly perform at this celebration of Welsh heritage. Highlights include:
Noson Lawen (Fun Night)
The Grand Concert
Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh Singing Festival)
Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes updates as we bring our music to international audiences!
Welcoming Darren Hughes
to the Team
We’re delighted to welcome Darren Hughes as our new sound engineer for the 2025 tour!
Darren brings over 21 years of experience in the professional audio industry, having worked with renowned acts like Martha Reeves, Russell Watson, and Jimmy Carr, as well as top organizations like the BBC and MTV. With expertise in sound design and live audio, Darren’s contributions will ensure our performances sound flawless. Welcome to the team, Darren!
Fresh Faces in the Choir
We’re thrilled to welcome three talented new members to our choir family:
Ross (Second Tenor) left: A spacecraft engineer with a love for singing, Ross recently moved to Llangollen and is rediscovering his passion for choral music.
Berwyn (Education) middle: Raised in Rhos, Berwyn brings experience from performing with the National Youth Choir of Wales at the Proms.
Hamish (Student) right: From Edinburgh, Hamish has performed with Buxton Opera Company and is pursuing a Master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music.
We’re excited to have these gifted singers join us and enrich our choir’s sound!
From the Musical Director’s Desk
Reflecting on 2024, it was a year of unforgettable moments and outstanding performances. But 2025 is shaping up to be even more spectacular!
This month, we’re celebrating a major milestone: our 10th consecutive sold-out concert at the Alban Arena. Thank you for your unwavering support – it’s because of you that we can continue to share our music with the world.
Back to the Studio: Exciting New Project
We’re thrilled to announce that the choir will return to the recording studio this year to work on our second EP! We’ll be collaborating with Jon Cohen, one of the most renowned choral producers in the industry. While we can’t reveal too much just yet, we promise this project will be something truly special. Stay tuned for updates!
How You Can Help
Performing at world-class venues is a dream come true, but we need your help to spread the word! Here’s how you can support us:
Share our social media posts with friends and family.
Encourage others to attend our concerts.
Suggest ways we can connect with local communities near our performance venues.
Every share, comment, and recommendation helps us reach new audiences. If you have ideas, feel free to reach out to Aled – we’d love to hear from you!
Next Stop
1 Feb Alban Arena, St Albans
1 March Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
2 March The Playhouse, Western super Mare
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
Your support is the heartbeat of everything we do, and we’re so grateful to have you by our side. Here’s to making 2025 a year to remember!
️ Get your tickets now: Johnsboys.co.uk
Follow us on social media for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and more!
Warm regards,
The Johns Boys Choir Team
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Johns’ Boys Male Chorus · Bryn Villa · Hall Street, Pen-Y-Cae · Wrexham, Clwyd LL14 2RT · United Kingdom
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