ROBAT Arwyn has so many happy memories of Urdd Eisteddfodau in years gone by.
Robat, the Denbigh Urdd Eisteddfod daily president for Tuesday, won the composer's medal at both the 1983 and 1984 festivals.
Born in Talysarn, Dyffryn Nantlle, he graduated in music from Cardiff University in 1980, followed by a librarianship diploma from Aberystwyth University the following year.
He joined Côr Rhuthun in September 1981, became accompanist in 1987 and got married to Mari, one of the altos, and was appointed the choir’s musical director in 2008.
He was head of library services in Denbighshire until his retirement in 2017, to concentrate on composing.
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He is now a full-time composer, an adjudicator and radio presenter, and his songs are often performed across Wales and further afield, by well-known artists such as Sir Bryn Terfel, Rhys Meirion, The Priests, Shân Cothi, Côr Glanaethwy and many more.
As a member of Triawd Aelwyd Rhuthun trio (Trisgell), he won the modern folk song competition at the Urdd Eisteddfod in 1983 and 1984, as well as the cerdd dant trio and quartet, and was also a member of the winning Côr Ieuenctid Rhuthun choir, conducted by Morfydd Vaughan Evans.
In 1983 and 1984, he also won the composer medal, an honour that led to the opening of many doors as a composer and musician.
He co-wrote two musicals for the Urdd - Eiddo Cesar in 1992 and Irmenio in 1994.
Some of his songs were selected as set pieces in the 1990 Urdd Eisteddfod, and he is delighted that his compositions are still appearing in the syllabus, 30 years later.
Asked what his favourite memory of the Urdd is, Robat said: "I can't think of just one favourite memory - there are so many of them."
These include happy days in the Llangrannog residential centre in 1969, competing as a member of Côr Ieuenctid Rhuthun choir in 1982, 1983 and 1984, forming Triawd Aelwyd Rhuthun trio in 1983, the thrill in 1990 of having two of his songs as set pieces for the first time, plus the immense pleasure of teaching his own children to compete in the Urdd between 2002 and 2009.
"I remember competing in the National in Aberystwyth in 1969 as a member of the Adran/Ysgol Talysarn Cerdd Dant party – we didn’t reach the stage!" he added.
Things would change a decade-and-a-half later.
"(The years) 1983 and 1984 were particularly good years for me personally.
I won the composer medal in ‘83 and ‘84. Triawd Aelwyd Rhuthun trio (Trisgell) winning the Modern Folk Song in ‘83 and ‘84.
"Pedwarawd Aelwyd Rhuthun quartet winning the quartet and cerdd dant quartet in ‘83
"Triawd Aelwyd Rhuthun trio (Trisgell) winning the cerdd dant trio/quartet in ‘84.
"Member of the Aelwyd Rhuthun winning choir in ’83 and ’84."
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Asked what he feels the best thing about the Urdd is, Robat added: "The opportunities the Urdd gives young people, to socialise, to belong, to discover and develop skills, to nurture talent and, often, to choose a career."
And on being made president of the day in the Urdd’s centenary year, he said: "Extremely honoured.
"Although it makes me feel really old!
"But, also, very proud of the opportunity to acknowledge the role of the Urdd in my development as a composer, of winning the composer medal in 1983 and 1984, writing musicals in 1992 and 1994, and hearing my songs appearing year after year as set-pieces."
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