0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:14 > 0:00:16- 888
0:00:21 > 0:00:23- 888
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- I'm a Welshman through and through. - My family is very important to me.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- This is where we came, - more often than any other place.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- On sunny days in Tremadog, the - choice was Black Rock Sands or here.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- It was an obvious choice.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- At least once a week, - I'd travel along this road...
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- ..for piano lessons - with Mrs Turner in Garndolbenmaen.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- Every time we passed this way, - Mam would say...
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- .."Why, God, did you make - Cwm Pennant so beautiful...
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- "..and the life - of an old shepherd so short?"
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- There it is, over there.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- It's one of the best places - in the world.
0:01:39 > 0:01:46- # In the bosom - of the lonely mountain range
0:01:47 > 0:01:52- # It is the finest valley - of them all
0:01:52 > 0:01:57- # The home of the stoat and the fox
0:01:57 > 0:02:03- # And the winter dwelling - of the hawk #
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- I remember visiting here - on a fine summer's day.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- When we came around the corner, - we'd cross our fingers...
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- ..in case some English tourists - had arrived before us.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- We'd shout for joy - if there was no-one here.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- In our minds, this was our pool.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- We'd have our picnic here...
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- ..and wait to see who was brave - enough to step into the water first.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- There are some rocks here, - and we'd tiptoe in...
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- ..to test the water.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- It was usually very cold.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- After struggling a little, we'd - slip in and swim all afternoon.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- Every time we come back here...
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- ..we still think we own a small - piece of this wonderful place.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- It's a very special place. - A place that's close to my heart.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- It's a strange feeling - looking back to my childhood.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- Like many others, I had no idea - what I wanted to do with my life.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- As a boy, I wanted to play - rugby or football for Wales.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Those were my exotic desires!
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- You soon realize that those desires - won't be fulfilled.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- I was raised in a very musical home.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Mam played the piano.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- My father sang with Meibion Dwyfor.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Many people have asked me - about the origins of my voice.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49- Several have pointed out that my - grandfather on my father's side...
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- ..was an accomplished tenor.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- I had piano lessons - in Garndolbenmaen...
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- ..with an old lady - called Mrs Turner.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- She was originally from Liverpool.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- She spoke a mixture - of Welsh and English.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- If she wanted to say something posh, - she'd say it in English.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- She needed a lot of patience - when she taught me.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- I thought the world of her.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- I remember it came to a point - where my parents said...
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- .."Well, we've decided you should - give up playing the piano."
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- Thinking about the disappointment - Mrs Turner would feel...
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- ..played on my mind.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- That was the turning point for me.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37- I knuckled down and went on - to pass my Grade 7 exam.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- I'm now glad I put in the hard work.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- We did a lot together later on...
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- ..but we weren't very close - when we were younger.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- The only time we spent together - as youngsters...
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- ..was at an eisteddfod, - or the Sunday School Festival.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- I remember Mam always said, - "That boy from Tremadog...
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- "..will be up against you - in the Sunday School Festival."
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- I sang a lot - when I was at primary school...
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- ..at the local eisteddfodau - and Sunday School festivals.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- I'd also sing - at the Urdd eisteddfodau.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- But I only reached the - Urdd County Eisteddfod once.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- We both competed - at the Urdd eisteddfodau.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- When we reached - the County Eisteddfod...
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- ..we'd come up against Bryn Terfel, - John Eifion or Iwan Parry.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- That was the end of the road - for us then.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- Mam says I beat Bryn Terfel once, - at Garn Eisteddfod.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- I think Hywel Gwynfryn once - asked Bryn Terfel about this.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- He said I had beaten him, but - that he had laryngitis at the time!
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- Rhys says he beat Bryn Terfel at - Garn Eisteddfod when he was five.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- I beat Rhys Meirion many times - at the Sunday School festivals...
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- ..when we were the same age.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- I remember when I used to sing - at secondary school...
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- ..I was called a poof - by other children.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- If you sang, you were a poof!
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- That influenced my thinking...
0:06:17 > 0:06:22- ..and I gave up singing - and switched to rugby as my hobby.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- I was a scrum half.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Gerald - Davies and JPR were my great heroes.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- I decided to further my education - in Trinity College, Carmarthen...
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- ..to become a teacher.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- I chose to study Music.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- I had to be able to play - two instruments.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- I could play the piano. But what - could be my second instrument?
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- I could see "Voice" on the list, - so I had singing lessons every week.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- I was taught by Connie Ashton, - a very dear woman.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- After the first lesson, - I remember her saying...
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- .."I'll have you - with the Welsh National Opera...
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- "..by the end of the year."
0:07:09 > 0:07:10- I thought she was mad.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- I didn't take it seriously at all.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18- I played rugby and - we played a match every Wednesday.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- When you play rugby in college...
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- ..it's invariably followed - by a drinking session.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- No matter where you went...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- ..by the end of the night, - he'd be leading a sing-song.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- I remember being - in the City Arms in Cardiff.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- People were staring - in disbelief at him...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- ..but by the end, - they were all singing...
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- ..and he was standing on a chair.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- I would always start singing...
0:07:48 > 0:07:53- ..but I wasn't allowed to start - until nine o'clock.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- I'd get on some people's nerves.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- I had a licence to start singing - at nine o'clock.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- I'd count down the seconds - to nine o'clock every time.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- I'd stand on a chair - and everyone would join in.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- I'd wake up the following morning - with a voice like a crow...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- ..and wander off - to my singing lesson.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- Miss Ashton would ask, "What were - you doing last night, Rhys?"
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- I'd sung for hours - the previous night and I was hoarse.
0:08:47 > 0:08:47- .
0:08:50 > 0:08:50- 888
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- 888- - 888
0:09:07 > 0:09:13- Without a doubt, coming here, as - Headmaster of Ysgol Pentrecelyn...
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- ..was a turning point in my life.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- I was forced to wise up...
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- ..and I'm sure, had I not become - Headmaster here back in 1993...
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- ..I probably wouldn't be - a singer now.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- I remember coming here - for the first time - I was only 26.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- I was one of the youngest - headmasters in Wales.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- My father said I couldn't work - all the time - I needed a hobby.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- Morfudd Vaughan Evans, Cor Rhuthun's - conductor at the time...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- ..urged me to have singing lessons - with Brian Hughes.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- I didn't think my voice - was good enough.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- Who did I think I was, - going to Brian Hughes for lessons?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- One day, Morfudd told me - she'd arranged a lesson for me.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- I had to go. She'd arranged - for me to sing Y Bugail.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- I went over it and over it.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- The highest note was G.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- I had to stand on tip-toe - to reach the note.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- That's comes in the mid range now.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- I didn't say much but I knew he had - a good voice and a special talent.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- He sang, somehow, - with an intrinsic sound...
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- ..which appealed to me.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- At the end he said, - "When do you want to come next?"
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- "Ooh, I'm allowed back!"
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- I remember - after Rhys had left the house...
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- ..my wife, Carys, doesn't say much - about those who sing...
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- ..but she looked at me and said, - "He's special, isn't he?"
0:10:59 > 0:11:00- That was true.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- # Abate ye waves
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- # A brother of mine
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- # Lies sleeping deeply #
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- Here's the office.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- This was the boiler house.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- This is where we'd give - naughty children a telling-off.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Let's go this way.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- The Caretaker's room.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- The hall is this way.
0:11:30 > 0:11:36- This is where we'd meet - for choir practice.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- The old piano.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- It's still in tune.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- I have some very fond memories.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- We were very fortunate. - We had a lot of success.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54- We won with the song Y Llygoden - at the Urdd Eisteddfod years ago...
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- ..in the Schools Under 150 Children - competition.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Alun Guy chose us - as the highlight of his week.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- That was a very special moment.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- When all the children and teachers - had gone home...
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- ..I'd stay behind - to do some work in the office.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- Then, I'd sit at the piano for half - an hour at the end of every day...
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- ..and rehearse what Brian Hughes - had taught me.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- On that day, all the schoolchildren - gathered at the chapel.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- They all wanted to throw confetti, - and it went everywhere.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- She married a headmaster.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- She thought that - a secure, normal life lay ahead.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- Then, in 1995...
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- ..I was gaining - more and more success.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- I was starting to think, - "Well, I wonder?"
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- I remember talking to Nia about it - for the first time.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05- "I wonder what would happen - if I gave up teaching...
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- "..and became - a professional singer?"
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- She gave me a strange look - initially.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- It was a huge decision to make.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Osian was born in May 1996.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- We were still discussing the idea - of singing professionally.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- The Llandeilo National Eisteddfod - was on the horizon.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37- # There's longing in the sea - and mountains grey #
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- If I couldn't win the main prize - as an amateur...
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- ..well, my chances were limited...
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- ..to pursue a successful - professional career.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- That's how I looked upon it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- The Llandeilo Eisteddfod - was crucial.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03- # At sunset hours - and firelight's flames #
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- It was evident from the repertoire - Rhys had chosen...
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- ..he was ready to leave - the amateur world...
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- ..and further his career.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- There was no need for me - to tell Rhys...
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- .."Listen, - why don't you go to college?"
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- That was his natural next step.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- I went to sing for Carlo Rizzi.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- "It would be a sin - if you didn't follow...
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- "..your wonderful voice," he said.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- He told me to go to college - for two years.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- It was going to be - a difficult decision.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- He had a settled life in Ruthin...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- ..with his young family - and a headmaster's job.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- But he was a tenor.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- Having a special tenor voice - is better than any other voice.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Ultimately, he had no choice. - Singing was his future.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- I went to the Guildhall - for an audition.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- I remember telling them - about my situation.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- I was a headmaster - with a wife and a young child.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- I said that - if I was offered a place...
0:15:18 > 0:15:24- ..there were twelve places available - and over 1,000 candidates...
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- ..if they were sure I could - be a success, then offer me a place.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- They sent their answer - through the post...
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- ..to confirm - I was making the right choice.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- When it's there, in front of you, - in black and white, it's emphatic.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- It suddenly dawned on me - that my life would change forever...
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- ..if I accepted this invitation.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- I decided to accept it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- From January until July...
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- ..I was in limbo.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02- Then, one morning I'll never forget, - I arrived at the school...
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- ..and a brown envelope - had arrived for me.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- I opened it.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16- Her Majesty's Inspector - was visiting the school...
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- ..three weeks before I left in July!
0:16:22 > 0:16:27- I'll never forget - Nia driving me to Chester Station.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32- It was rather a strange journey. - We hardly spoke.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- I felt this was it. - There was no turning back.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- It was very emotional - saying goodbye to Nia and Osian.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- It was like a scene - from a romantic film.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- Standing in the doorway, waving...
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- ..waiting for them - to go out of sight.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- I sat down and looked ahead.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- I was thrown in at the deep end. - I would sink or swim.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27- I came through it.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- And there's no doubt that it was - an extremely important place for me.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- It's a very special place.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- When you walk in for the first time, - you can hear so much rehearsing.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- Everyone looks busy. - You hear different languages.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- There's a cosmopolitan feel to it.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Here, you feel you want to work, - learn and improve yourself.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- That's how you feel in this college.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- I remember coming in here - every morning.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- I'd read the names of David Lloyd, - Bryn Terfel and Wynford Evans.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- I'd say, "Come on, let's go for it."
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- What is great about this college...
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- ..are the many different elements - that are taught here.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- It's such a lively place.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50- There are so many different facets - of singing, acting and music.
0:18:50 > 0:18:57- In one rehearsal room, someone - would perform a Beethoven concerto.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- In the next room, someone - would play jazz on the saxophone.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- It's a very exciting place.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18- I had booked a room in the YMCA, - down the road.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- I had no idea - what the YMCA would be like.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- It was right next to the college. - I thought it would be ideal.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- I'll never forget - arriving at the YMCA.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- I had quite a shock - when I walked into the room.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- The memories are flooding back now.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- I remember, - I'd just left Nia and Osian at home.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- I'd been a headmaster.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- I walked into this small, dark room.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- There was one sink in the corner...
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- ..and a bed - which resembled a prison bed.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- It was a very different world.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- I remember thinking...
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- .."What on earth have I done - leaving everything for this?"
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- It was quite a shock - for the first three months.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- One of the first things I realized - when I met my fellow students...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- ..was that everyone else - had been studying...
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- ..for four, five, six years already.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- They would talk about - all the composers...
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- ..and the different styles.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- They could speak - different languages so easily.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- I remember sitting there thinking, - "I'm miles behind them."
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- I spent many hours in the library - trying to catch up.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34- I must have walked miles back - and forth along these shelves...
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- ..hassling the old librarian - when I couldn't find something.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- I still don't understand - their system.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- I spent many happy hours here...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- ..listening to the music - and watching the DVDs.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- One of the newer elements for me - was the acting and dancing lessons.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17- I'm not the smoothest of dancers, - I must say.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- There's a lot of dancing - in some of the operas.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- I had to learn to waltz properly.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- I stepped on a few feet - along the way.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- I was always the last - to be chosen in the lectures...
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- ..if someone needed a partner!
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- I left the Guildhall - some eleven years ago.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- Undoubtedly, coming here - was a far more important step...
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- ..than becoming - a professional singer straightaway.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- Here, I could rehearse - and develop my talent...
0:23:07 > 0:23:13- ..with a safety net beneath me - and L plates on my back.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- Life's journey has been - rather bizarre for me...
0:23:22 > 0:23:27- ..but I'm now at a place in my life - where I want to be.
0:23:28 > 0:23:36- It's fantastic to earn a living from - something I enjoy doing so much.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- I feel very fortunate.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- S4C Subtitles by Simian 04 Cyf.