Carol call; Festive contest launched.

Byline: DAVID POWELL

CALLING all budding songwriters!

The Daily Post is once again inviting you to compose a carol to be performed at this year's Thousands of Christmas Voices concert in Llangollen.

The winning composer(s) will receive pounds 1,000 and the exciting event will be televised by S4C.

The charity extravaganza - in its 15th year - will be held at Llangollen Royal International Pavilion in aid of Hope House Children's Hospice on Sunday, December 13.

This is the 11th year for the carol writing competition itself.

Daily Post Editor Rob Irvine said: "We would respectfully invite both seasoned songwriters and lyricists, or first timers, to set aside some time to pen a warm hearted carol.

"It is always satisfying to know that a carol performed in front of thousands of people in the Pavilion and on television has come from the Welsh community which we serve.

"We have had some marvellous entries in recent years and we hope this year will prove to be no different."

The address people to send their entries to is: Cyfathrebu, S4C, Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF15 5DU.

The closing date is Friday, October 9 2009. Last year, the winning carol, called Bethlehem, was written by composer Rhys Jones, 82, of Prestatyn, and lyricist Aled Lloyd Davies, 78, of Mold.

In 2007, Elfed Morgan and Lowri Watkin Roberts, of Brynrefail, wrote the winning carol Golau Arall (Another Light).

Last December more than 1,000 people enjoyed a sold out evening of wonderful music at the Daily Post's Christmas Voices concert.

Topping the bill was Anglesey-born opera star Gwyn Hughes Jones, Tara Bethan, Cr Rhuthun and Steffan Rhys Hughes, then 14, of Denbigh.

COMPETITION RULES BOTH individuals and groups are welcome to compete in our carol competition.

The winning entry will be performed at the December 13 concert.

The words and music must be original and they must not have been previously performed, published or recorded. The lyrics may be in English or Welsh.

The carol should be no longer than four minutes, and S4C reserves the right to re-arrange, edit or extend the length of the carol, as it considers necessary.

Entries will be accepted on cassette, dat, mini-disc, CD or manuscript (a printed copy of the words must be provided).

A panel of experienced adjudicators, however, will be under no obligation to choose any winner, and this decision is at their absolute discretion.

S4C retains the right to perform and broadcast the carol on television/ radio or any other media, to make recordings of the carol, to synchronise the carol with any film or tape and/or to promote or exploit the carol by any means, and without a limit as to time and number. S4C is under no obligation to broadcast the carol.

S4C will choose the musicians and artists for the live performance, but the winner/s will be expected to be present at rehearsals if necessary, and at the actual performance.

The winner/s will be expected to be available for any publicity requirements by S4C. S4C reserves the right to publish the music and/or the lyrics.

The successful composer/s will be expected to sign S4C's standard composers' agreement, which assigns the copyright, publishing and associated rights in the music and lyrics. If after three years from the date of that agreement, S4C has not used, broadcast, produced or licensed a commercial recording of the carol, the composer/s shall be entitled to request a re-assignment of rights.

This competition is not open to S4C employees, staff or their families.

CAPTION(S):

Cr Rhuthun performing at last December's Thousand Christmas Voices concert held in Llangollen