The School Eisteddfod
In 1924, R.R. Thomas was recruited by the Southeast Ohio Eisteddfod Association to come to Jackson and establish the school Eisteddfod.
Thomas, known as “Bulldog,” was the music instructor for the Jackson city schools and director of the annual school Eisteddfod until his retirement in 1937.
D. Merrill Davis took over the position in 1938 and served as music supervisor and school Eisteddfod director until his retirement in 1974.
The school competition consisted of piano, vocal music and mixed choruses for grades one through twelve.
From 1924-1974 all students in the Jackson school system had to sing in the Eisteddfod. They were awarded medals for placing in the contests and in later years received ribbons based on their performance of “superior, excellent and exceptional.”
It was a terrifying experience for many students who had to stand solo in front of a large crowd and sing a traditional or religious song to an accompanying pianist.
However, many former students believe that it helped them to build confidence in speaking and performing in public.
As Welsh influence in Jackson waned, and Eisteddfod participation became voluntary, the school vocal Eisteddfod has lost popularity with middle and high school students and only a handful compete each year. However, the musical instrument part of the program is still popular and the elementary school Eisteddfod is always filled to capacity. In 2007, eighty-nine elementary students were presented with certificates for participating in the Jackson Eisteddfod.
Listen to Julie Connair, a former Jackson music teacher, perform Suo-Gân, a traditional Welsh lullaby here. *with lyrics
LADY BAESMAN taught music in the Jackson city school system from 1951 to 1988. “It’s amazing the influence the Eisteddfod had in the lives of these students.” she said. “They learned confidence in performing in front of other people, and that is something that will carry over in their lives.”
Listen as she describes a stormy Eisteddfod.
*Note: Lady Baesman died in 2013.
MARSHA LONEY PERRYcan remember her first grade Eisteddfod when all the girls sang one song and the boys sang another. In later years, students were allowed to pick from a variety of traditional, patriotic or religious songs. Today, they are allowed to sing in duets or choral groups and many students perform in the musical instrument segment of the competition.
Listen to her description of the school Eisteddfod.
BERNADINE BENNETT STOCKMEISTER grew up in Jackson during the 1920’s and 1930’s and remembers when many Welsh families lived in Jackson. She was a first grader during the first school Eisteddfod in 1924 and received a first place ribbon for her solo performance.
Listen as she describes her Eisteddfod experiences.
Note: Stockmeister died in 2011.
CAROLYN MCCORMICK who retired as a music teacher in the Jackson City schools says “If you lived in Jackson, it was just expected that you would sing in the Eisteddfod.” She believes that her experiences growing up with the Eisteddfod influenced her decision to become a music teacher.
Listen to her thoughts on the school Eisteddfod.