Musical tribute to local star Grace (From Barry And District News)

Musical tribute to local star Grace

AS a result of the support of Councillor Margaret Alexander, the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, a range of events were held last weekend in memory of Barry composer Grace Williams.

Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member Jane Hutt was also involved in planning the weekend's activities.

Mrs Hutt said: "On February 19, it was the centenary anniversary of Grace Williams' birth.

"One of the highlights of the weekend was to view the plaque which has been placed on the house where she was born in Wenvoe Terrace, by the Barry Town Council Mayor, Cllr Theo Stenstrom.

"He spoke of her important place in the history of Barry on the steps of number 16, Wenvoe Terrace, on Saturday morning."

On Friday evening, Cllr Margaret Alexander opened an exhibition produced by the Barry Soroptomists, at the Library in Barry Leisure Centre, including a reproduction of a painting of Grace Williams by Barry artist, Ceri Thomas.

The Barry Ladies Choir sang a selection of her songs at the event to launch the exhibition, which includes manuscripts, letters and photographs of her life.

Mrs Hutt added: "The exhibition is well worth seeing at the Library and is on display until the end of February.

"Ceri Thomas's painting is on display at the National Library of Wales over the coming weeks, after which we hope it will come to be displayed in Barry and at the National Assembly for Wales."

On Saturday evening, a dinner was held in honour of Grace Williams at the Mount Sorrel Hotel with the Cantorian Grace Williams singing a selection of her songs.

A talk was given by Ceri Thomas about the significance of her life as revealed in his painting.

With tributes and contributions from those who knew her as a composer and as a teacher, as well as a neighbour, insights into her extraordinary life were shared and the fruits of her compositions enjoyed.

On Sunday, a centenary concert was held at the Wales Millennium Centre where many people from Barry joined the gathering to hear her works performed by an ensemble with exquisite pieces including The Silent Pool, Siencyn's Dance, Hiraeth and Songs for Sleep.

In the programme accompanying the concert it was said: "Few composers have evoked the atmosphere of Wales as potently as Grace Williams.

"Born in Barry in the first decade of the 20th century, her work breathes the air of the world she knew as a child.

"In later life she commented on how the sea and coastlines of South Wales influenced her music,'its rhythms and long flowing lines and its colours'.

Jane Hutt said: "I hope the people of Barry can help play a part in bringing Grace Williams' music to much wider attention.

"She deserves it and we will all benefit from it."