Denbighshire school pupils to perform at St Asaph Cathedral

Rhyl Journal

29-05-2025

The children from Ysgol Melyd Primary School in Meliden, near Prestatyn, impressed judges with their rendition of a new song, 'Sound of Denbighshire'.
In the competition was organised by the Denbighshire Music Cooperative, schools were invited to submit video entries of their performances.
Ysgol Melyd won a package of prizes, including new musical instruments, a live show at the school by the cooperative's in-house band, Make Some Noise, and a professional recording of their version of the song.Heather Powell and Wyn Pearson of North Wales Music Cooperative with Ysgol Melyd Primary School pupils Bella, seven, Kalaya,10, Evan,11, Harrison, nine, Emily, nine and Noah, seven (Image: Mandy Jones)
The highlight of their prize is the opportunity to perform at the music cooperative's 10th anniversary concert at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, June 12.
Heather Powell, the head of service for the cooperative, said: "Ysgol Melyd won based on the quality of their entry and the fact they did it bilingually, which for an English medium school was fantastic.
"They worked really hard, it was in tune, it was great, they made a lot of effort and their enthusiasm was brilliant."
Ysgol Melyd's deputy headteacher, Lucy Lea, who organised the school's entry, said: "We were unbelievably happy to win, I am not often speechless, but I was when we were told we had won the whole competition.
"The whole school took part and we were all so happy when we heard and we are so pleased with all the prizes."
The children are particularly excited about the professional recording of their performance.
Ms Lea added: "They all like the idea of a professional recording of their performance because they think they're all going to be famous on YouTube."
The young music lovers at the school were equally thrilled to have won the competition.
Seven-year-old Bella said: "I've really liked singing the song in assembly, it's one of my favourite songs ever, it's really good and I remember most of the words now."
The competition was the brainchild of the cooperative's artistic lead, Wyn Pearson.
He said: "This fun and engaging competition invited all primary schools in the county to showcase the musical talents of their students.
"The competition encouraged students to work together, practise their performance skills, and celebrate the power of music with an overarching goal to inspire joy and collaboration among the children."
The gala concert, starting at 7pm, is sponsored by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust.
Renowned royal composer Professor Paul Mealor, the music cooperative's patron, will attend to make a speech, and the concert will be hosted by popular tenor Rhys Meirion, who will also be singing on the night.
Councillor Julie Matthews, deputy leader of the council and county councillor for the Prestatyn Meliden Ward, said: "It is so great to see that Ysgol Melyd have won this competition, which will see them perform at the 10th anniversary concert in June.
"Da iawn Ysgol Melyd."
The Denbighshire Music Cooperative was formed in 2015 by Heather Powell after she and other music tutors in Denbighshire were made redundant due to budget cuts.