As early as 1850, Lackawanna County held a literary and musical
competition in Carbondale. This competition was the traditional Welsh
eisteddfod, a competitive artistic event dating from the 12th century, and the
first recorded in America.
These early events became the catalyst for NEPA creating a choral legacy
beyond the Welsh community and unsurpassed in both artistic standards
and numbers of participants.
In 1875, West Scranton held competitions to raise funds for their library; a
tent holding an audience of 6,000 was full to capacity for each of the 6
sessions. Special trains for the event were scheduled throughout the valley.
Our valleys sent 5, 300 voice choirs to the Philadelphia Bicentennial of 1882.
The years 1891 and 1892 saw The Scranton Catholic Choir Association hold
competitive music festivals featuring over 20 choirs, 25 singing societies,
and 65 soloists. The Cathedral Choir won in 1892.
The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair choral competition listed two Scranton
choirs, the 260 voice Scranton Choral Union and the 200 voice
Cymmrodorion Choral Society. Their competition would include the
formidable Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The Scranton Choral Union took the $5,000 first prize, the Utah choir
second, and the Cymmrodorians, third.
The returning champions were greeted by thousands of Scrantonians at
Lackawanna Station when their special train arrived festooned with flags
and bunting.
Choral events continued into the next century with a 1902 community sing
along attended by 10,000 at the Scranton Armory.
International recognition came to Scranton in 1928 with a first place win at
the Royal National Eisteddfod secured by the Scranton Anthracite Chorus.
This chorus was formed the year before specifically to prove the excellence
of Scranton talent.
Music in Lackawanna County
Misc links: Chicago Eisteddfod