We want to hear from musicians who would be interested in delivering music sessions as part of our ‘Canfod y Gan / Discover the Song’ project which aims to bring disabled and non-disabled people together to participate in music activities. More information.
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (CGWM) has recently secured funding from Spirit of 2012 Music Challenge Fund (www.spiritof2012.org.uk) to deliver a three year programme ‘Canfod y Gân / Discover the Song’ which will bring disabled and non-disabled people (aged 16+) together to participate as equals in regular music activities with the aim of improving mental health and wellbeing.
CGWM will work in partnership with Gwynedd Council’s Learning Disabilities team who will refer individuals who have learning disabilities to the project.
We are now seeking an independent evaluator to work with us throughout the project to:
• gather evidence of its impact,
• assist with the preparation of reports to the funder,
• help us to share our learning.
For more information please see the link to the tender.
Come and enjoy an evening full of musical variety with the talented student from Bodedern, Elain Rhys, and friends.
Elain has chosen to hold this event in order to raise money for the Friends of the William Mathias Music Centre who are responsible for administrating the Bursary Fund in order to ensure that children in North Wales have access to music education of the highest standard.
Joining Elain Rhys in the concert will be Triawd Edern, Glesni Rhys, Ann Peters Jones, as well as some of the students who receive lessons at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias.
Elain said: “It’s wonderful that my family and friends have agreed to support the Friends of CGWM charity by taking part in this special concert. I’m really looking forward for the concert.”
Triawd Edern voice ensemble consists of Elain, her sister Glesni and her friend Annest Mair Jones. It was formed in 2014, and has gained considerable success over the years, performing on Noson Lawen on S4C, as well as coming first in the National Eisteddfod in Bodedern and performing in concerts throughout North Wales.
Elain, who is a Music student at Bangor University, will also perform solo pieces on the harp and piano in the concert.
According to Elain “I have been very lucky over the years to have music teachers of the highest standard at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, including Elinor Bennett and Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, who have inspired me to go on and study Music at University.”
Glesni, who is 17 and is studying for her A Level has gained success as a singer. She won the Girls’ Solo for those aged under 19 at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff last year and has also passed her Grade 8 singing exam with distinction under the direction of her mother, Ann Peters Jones. Ann is a member of the team of tutors at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias and teaches the voice and piano.
According to Medwyn Hughes, the chairman of the Friends of CGWM, there is a great need for the Bursary Fund in order to support the musical education of children.
He said “The Friends of CGWM work hard in order to raise an ambitious sum of £5,000 each year in order to fund the Bursary. It’s wonderful to be able to support the next generation of talented musicians, but of course this wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of individuals such as Elain in order to hold fundraising events. It promises to be a fantastic evening – please come over to support!”
The concert by Elain Rhys & Friends will be held on Saturday evening 19 January 2019, 7:30pm at Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead. Tickets are £10 and are available from the Ucheldre Box Office 01407 763 361.
The Winner of the Ben Muskett Scholarship 2018: Cerys Edwards from Pwllglas
Cerys Edwards, a student at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Ruthin branch), has been awarded this year’s scholarship from CGWM in memory of Ben Muskett. Cerys, who’s 16 years old, studies the piano with Teleri-Siân.
Cerys said, “It was a surprise to hear that I had won the Ben Muskett Scholarship. I had just performed in a concert by some of CGWM’s students and was called back to the stage to be presented with the trophy and the scholarship money.”
Congratulating Cerys, Meinir Llwyd, Director of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias explained “Ben Muskett was an inspiring piano tutor at CGWM when he tragically died in a car accident in 2011 aged only 25. This scholarship is awarded annually to pianists under 18 years old who receive lessons at CGWM. This is our way of honouring Ben’s passion for music and teaching children and young people”
Cerys said, “Being awarded the scholarship means a great deal to me. The money will help me to buy new piano pieces that I wish to learn – including Chopin Waltzes, and Debussy Preludes as well as some jazz pieces too.”
Cerys studies music at Ysgol Brynhyfryd with Miss Llinos Williams. She started piano lessons when she was six years old with Mavis Johns, before starting lessons with Teleri-Siân in 2012.
According to Cerys, “I really enjoy coming for lessons with Teleri-Siân at CGWM and with her help, I succeeded in passing my Grade 8 piano with merit during the Summer.”
Llinos, Cerys’ mother said: “We have been very fortunate to receive piano tutors of the highest standard over the years – my son Sion, as well as Cerys’ sister, Cathrin, have enjoyed coming for piano lessons with Teleri-Siân.”
In Year 9, Cerys won the third prize in the Years 7-9 Piano Solo Competition in the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Bridgend. She is also is a faithful member of Côr Cytgan Clwyd.
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Music Centre) was established in Caernarfon in 1999 and since 2012, the music centre has also been providing music lessons on Monday evenings at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh, and since 2017, at Capel Tabernacl, Ruthin on Wednesday evenings.
The scholarship trophy was presented to Cerys during a ‘Llwyfan Cerdd’ student concert at Pwllglas Village Hall. The concert included performances by students of all ages who receive lessons at the music centre, as well as the music centre’s junior and senior harp ensembles, Telynau Clwyd under the direction of Morwen Blythin and Dylan Cernyw.
Naturally, Cerys’ piano tutor, Teleri Siân was delighted to hear the news: “It’s always a pleasure to teach Cerys the piano at CGWM. She’s a special student who’s well on her way to being a confident, and mature musician.”
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, a charity dedicated to providing experiences in music to the public is calling for the support of the local community and businesses to help reach a fundraising target of £3,000 which will be doubled during the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2017.
Any online donations made to Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Music Centre) between 28th November – 5th December will be doubled and will contribute to the continuity of Hidden Talents, a programme which provides opportunities in music making for adults with disabilities from the Caernarfon area.
The project has been held successfully for over 10 years and has become immensely important to over 30 participants who attend weekly sessions at Galeri Caernarfon. It was established in 2003 by the Music Centre and musician Arfon Wyn with support of the Arts Council of Wales and Gwynedd Council Social Services. Local individuals living with disabilities benefit both socially and educationally. For some participants, music offers a natural means of communication in the absence of speech. Other benefits include confidence-building and opportunities for social interaction.
Take a look at this film for a taste of what the project offers.
Musician and session leader Arfon Wyn said: “I have great satisfaction from working with ‘Hidden Talents’, we improvise together musically and have made friends for life”.
Since 2012 the project has expanded to Pwllheli and Denbighshire and in 2013 was awarded with the Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for promoting the Arts in Social Care.
Nia Hughes from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias said: “The project has become a real inspiration to all involved. The individuals who attend are given opportunities to express themselves through music, and often perform to the public in events held by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias. Their faces as they perform is a joy to see, which emphasises the importance of this project. Please support if you can.”
The charity works tirelessly to secure funding of up to £14k annually towards this project. To support Hidden Talents and help continue to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities, please donate online to Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias between 28th November – 5th December 2017. For more information, contact Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias on 01286 685 230.
A FEAST OF MUSIC is a special concert organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias which will be held at Theatr John Ambrose, Ruthin on the 3rd of February 2018 at 7:30pm.
The concert will celebrate the fact that the Music Centre has started to provide tuition in Ruthin as part of the charities effort to expand its provision in North East Wales. The Music Centre, whose primary location is situated at Galeri Caernarfon, has been providing music tuition at Theatr Twm o’r Nant Dinbych for several years and is proud to be expanding its provision to Ruthin.
The concert will include performances from the Music Centre’s tutors, as well as present and past students who have gone on to study at music colleges and local youth choir Côr Cytgan Clwyd. Amongst the artists performing in the concert will be Rhys Meirion, Elinor Bennett, Ann Atkinson, Alfred Barker, Glian Llwyd, Teleri Siân, Morwen Blythin, Dylan Cernyw and Kate Griffiths.
The Music Centre’s singing tutor Ann Atkinson, who also is the Director of the North Wales International Music Festival and conductor of both Côr Trelawnwyd and Côr Meibion Bro Glyndwr, is looking forward to the concert:
“I’ve been teaching for Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias since 2012 when we started to provide tuition at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh. It’s fantastic to see the Music Centre expand its provision by offering music tuition in Ruthin too.”
“I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with other tutors as well as some of the students that I have been teaching in Denbigh who have now gone on to study the voice further in music colleges.”
Three of Ann’s past students will be taking part in the concert – Tesni Jones and Lisa Davies who have gone on to study the voice in the Royal Northern College of Music and Steffan Davies who now studies Music and Welsh at Bangor University.
According to one of the Music Centre’s piano tutors, Teleri-Siân, who lives in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias is working hard to develop its centre in Ruthin. She said:
“We have started by offering piano, singing, violin and theory lessons in Ruthin for children and adults, but we intend to expand the provision to include lessons on a variety of other instruments so it’s important that people contact us to express their interest. We will also continue to develop our provision of group activities during the next months.
“This special night of music on the 3rd of February will help to raise awareness that lessons are now available in Ruthin. Come and enjoy the feast of music!”
The Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) project – music groups for young children has been held in Denbigh in partnership with Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych and Denbighshire Arts Service for several years. A group for children aged between 6 months and 3 years old is held at 1:45pm at the Hwb in Denbigh and a group for children between 4 – 7 years old at Theatr Twm o’r Nant after school on Mondays.
Tickets for the concert ‘A Feast of Music’ to be held at Theatr John Ambrose on the 3rd of February at 7:30pm are now available from Siop Elfair, Ruthin and from Siop Clwyd, Denbigh. The ticket prices are £7, £6 (pensioners), £3 (children).
Since November 2016, Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias has been holding music sessions for older in Gellilydan and Awel y Coleg, Y Bala, led by Nia Davies Williams. Children from the local primary schools have also been taking part in Camau Cerdd sessions (Steps in Music) with Marie-Claire Howorth before joining the older generation to sing and enjoy music activities.
Since being commissioned by Gwynedd Council’s Community Arts Unit, the sessions have helped older people in rural communities come together to meet new people and enjoy music as well as raise confidence.
We’re very pleased to announce that sessions will begin in Deiniolen and Bethesda at the end of October. They are open for all older people who enjoy music to come for a cup of tea and a song. Sessions in Bethesda will begin October 27, 10:30 – 11:30 in Neuadd Ogwen, and every other week from there. Similarly, sessions i Deiniolen will begin on October 27 at 14:00 – 15:00 in Tŷ Elidir. A cup of tea will be available after each session and the local primary schools will join in the Spring 2018.
Take a look at this film for a taste of the Bala and Gellilydan activities. For further information, contact us on 01286 685 230
The Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Chamber Choir took part in a concert at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday the 24th of September as part of the Welsh National Opera Community Chorus and performed the Welsh premier of Oliver Tarney and Paul Mealor’s Magnificats.
“This was a great experience for the choir to be part of the WNO chorus and to sing in such a stunning location as St Asaph Cathedral” said Jenny Pearson, the choir’s conductor.
Jenny Pearson has been leading the Choir for almost a decade, and under her direction, the choir has experienced many successes, including taking part in a cultural exchange project with the Incantanti Choir from Switzerland only last year.
Some of the more ambitious and most successful performances given by the choir in recent years include: Bach Magnificat, Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Mozart’s Requiem.
Many of the choir members have gone on to sing with the National Youth Choir of Wales, WNO Youth Opera, and on to renowned conservatoires.
With several of the choir members having moved on to universities and conservatoires in September, the choir is now very eager to appeal to new members to join the team.
The choir is open to singers between 12 – 25 years of age, and Jenny Pearson is eager to emphasise that past experience of singing in choirs is not necessary in order to join:
“Côr Siambr CGWM is open to all – regardless of experience, you don’t need to be receiving singing lessons, and there’s no audition. If your child is a music geek of any sort, they’ll love it! Being a part of the choir is also of benefit for those receiving instrumental lessons – helping with aural and sight-reading skills and their knowledge of music theory.”
The first rehearsal in the series will be held for free, on Thursday the 5th of October between 4:45 – 6:00pm, at SP3, Galeri Caernarfon.
This first free rehearsal is a great opportunity for children who wish to have a taste of being a part of the choir before registering for the series, as well as having an opportunity to have an informal chat with Jenny. To register for the free taster rehearsal and to learn more about the CGWM Chamber Choir, contact 01286 685 230
Congratulations to all CGWM pupils who competed at the National Eisteddfod this year. Here is a list of winners, including current and former pupils:
Unawd
Llinynnau dan 16 oed: Strings solo under 16:
Gwydion Rhys
Unawd
piano dan 16 oed: Piano solo under 16:
Gwydion Rhys
Medi Morgan
Deuawd
offerynnol: Instrumental duet:
Rhiain Awel Dyer & Chloe Roberts
Gwenno & Medi Morgan
Unawd
i ferched 16-19 oed: Solo for girls 16 – 19
Tesni Jones
Lisa Dafydd
Unawd
i fechgyn 12-16 oed: Solo for boys 12 – 16
Tomi Llewelyn
Unawd
Telyn dan 19 oed: Harp Solo under 19:
Elain Rhys
Unawd
mezzo-soprano 19-25 oed: Mezzo-soprano solo 19 – 25:
Morgana Warren-Jones
Unawd
Piano dros 19 oed: Piano solo over 19:
Gwenno Glyn
Unawd
Telyn dros 19 oed: Harp solo over 19:
Glain Dafydd
Rhuban
Glas Offerynnol dros19 oed: Instrumental Blue Ribbon over 19:
Glain Dafydd
An Open Day will be held at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Music Centre), Galeri Caernarfon on Saturday 22 July between 10 -4pm. A range of events for young people will be held throughout the day; all free of charge, giving a taste of what is offered by the Centre.
This dynamic Centre was established in 1999 in Caernarfon providing opportunities in music education for people of all ages and abilities through lessons on instruments and voice by experienced tutors, theory lessons, ensembles, choirs and much more!
A highlight of the Open Day will be celebrating ‘Steps Music’s 10th birthday. Steps Music is a project that presents the fundamental elements of music in a fun and educational way for young children from 6 months to 7 years old. At 1pm there will be a class for children aged 4-7 years, and a class for children aged between 6 months and 4 years with their parents at 2pm. To follow, we will enjoy musical performances by former Steps in Music pupils and tutors at a party with games and cake.
The project was established by the William Mathias Music Centre and musician Marie-Claire; who is a postgraduate student at the University of Sheffield studying for an MA in Psychology in Music Education. The scheme has managed to bring an inspirational musical curriculum to communities in north Wales, reaching into nurseries, nursing homes and schools. Marie-Claire said:
“It is exciting to see how the way we have used music to empower individuals as a whole has had such a powerful and positive impact on so many people. As a music tutor I’m so proud to see former pupils of the project growing in the music community, and looking forward to hearing them perform on the day.”
Two workshops will be held during the day. A woodwind workshop at 10am with tutors Rhiannon Mathias, Marie-Claire and Elin Roberts, and voice Masterclass with tenor Huw Llywelyn at 2pm. Offering opportunities for young pupils to learn in groups is important to the Centre, providing opportunities for individuals to perform and work together with other musicians who share the same interest.
Free taster lessons are also offered during the day on the drums, guitar and piano with tutors Graham ‘La’ Land, Neil Browning and Diana Keyse. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy live music performances by pupils and tutors at the Galeri Café Bar. Weather permitting, the day will end with a performance by Hidden Talents and Arfon Wyn on the Dock at 3: 30pm.
The event is held with the support of Tŷ Cerdd. All activities are free of charge, and there is a warm welcome to everyone. To express your interest, or for further information please contact the William Mathias Music Centre on 01286 685 230.
