A successful music day was hosted by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre on the 12 July at its branch at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh.
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias has been providing music tuition of the highest quality for people of all ages at its main Centre at Galeri Caernarfon for more than ten years, and since 2012 has been offering music tuition at Its Denbigh branch as well as other activities within the community.
A harp workshop with Dylan Cernyw and Morwen Blythin marked a great start to the day. Harpists from all ages came to the workshop and had the opportunity to play together.
The workshop was a great success, and the group succeeded in learning two new pieces in a very short time, and then gave an informal performance at the end of the workshop.
Morwen Blythin was delighted with the progress made by the group:
Learning and then performing two pieces from new is an amazing achievement considering that this was the first meeting for the group! I am now hopeful that this meeting has set the foundation for Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias to form a harp choir for the future that will meet on a regular basis in the area.
The day also gave the music centre the opportunity to introduce one of its other innovative projects in the area for the first time, which is the ‘Camau Cerdd’ (Steps in Music) project that is run in partnership with Marie-Claire Howorth.
The Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) project specialises in providing music education for children between 6 months and 7 years old.
Three age-group classes were held during the day by the project’s tutors, Marie-Claire Howorth and Charlotte Green who were delighted to see all three of the groups full with a total of 32 children taking part.
Marie-Claire said:
After a number of years now of providing the Camau Cerdd project throughout Gwynedd County, it’s clear to us that there is a demand for a music project for young children in the Denbigh area, and we look forward to offering Camau Cerdd in the Denbigh area in the near future with the music centre.
Free taster lessons were also offered by the music centre’s experienced tutors, with many children and adults taking up the opportunity to try a musical instrument for the first time.
The day came to an end with the ‘Llwyfan Cerdd’ student concert, and the music centre welcomed the Chair of the Council and the consort Gwyneth Kensler and Gaynor Morgan Rees to the concert as well as the Theatr Twm o’r Nant Committee to enjoy the performances from the students of all ages and musical abilities.
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias looks forward to organising music sessions in homes providing care for people with dementia in Denbighshire in the near future in addition to continuing to develop it’s Doniau Cudd (Hidden Talents) project for children and adults with learning disabilities in the County.
