Denbigh Music Student’s Exam Success Recognised in Caernarfon Concert

Denbigh Music Student’s Exam Success Recognised in Caernarfon Concert

Erin who also receives piano lessons at the Music Centre with Teleri-Siân, and clarinet lessons in school with Dave Hopkins was surprised on the day of the concert to learn that she had received the best result in the exams:

‘I had no idea until they called my name for the prize that I had won the cup. The Music Centre had only told me that I would be performing on the day only – it was big a surprise to hear my name being called out!’

Ann Atkinson, Erin’s singing tutor was delighted by the result. ‘Erin has worked very hard during the year – it is a joy to teach her, and I’m very pleased that her hard work has been rewarded. I’m now looking forward to going forward with Erin to learn new repertoire and prepare for her grade 4 exam.’

The young singer shared the stage with some of the Music Centre’s other talented musicians and groups including the Centre’s Cello Ensemble, other soloists, trios and quartets, a performance of pieces by two of the Music Centre’s young composers, as well as selected pieces from the Mozart Requiem performed by the Music Centre’s Chamber Choir.  

The Music Centre recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and it is only recently in 2012 started to provide music tuition in Denbigh with the provision of projects such as Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) for young children, and a newly formed harp group, Telynau Clwyd, and theory lessons being offered in Denbigh for the very first time in October.

A concert was held on Friday the 18th of September by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre at Galeri Caernarfon to recognise the achievements of the Music Centre’s students during the previous academic year.

Amongst the students who performed and received awards was Erin Swyn Williams from Llannefydd who has been receiving lessons with Ann Atkinson at the Denbigh Branch of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre for several years.

Erin, a pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, was awarded the prestigious Thomas William Jones memorial Cup which is presented annually to the Music Centre student who achieves the highest mark in a grade 1-5 practical exam. Erin recently achieved 142 marks out of 150 in her grade 3 singing exam and therefore was a very worthy winner of the cup which is presented by Caernarfon Male Voice Choir in memory of a former choir member.

New Harp Group: ‘Telynau Clwyd’ to form in Denbigh

New Harp Group: ‘Telynau Clwyd’ to form in Denbigh

The Denbigh branch of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre hosted an open day in July 2015. One of the activities held during the day was a harp group to assess the interest in forming a group that would meet on a regular basis in the area.

Prominent harpists Morwen Blythin and Dylan Cernyw lead the group, and a good response was received to the idea of forming a harp group that would meet regularly.

Morwen and Dylan were delighted by the progress made by the group during the session with the group succeeding to learn two new pieces and then giving an informal concert to the parents at the end.

Morwen Blythin said:

Learning and then performing two new pieces is a great achievement especially considering that this was the first time for the group to meet! Both Dylan and I are delighted that Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias are starting the Telynau Clwyd group on a regular basis.

Following this success, the harp group will be meeting once a month in Denbigh.

Telynau Clwyd are now inviting more members to join the group. Contact the Music Centre to register your interest in joining.

Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias provides music tuition of the highest standard in its centre in Denbigh, as well as its main centre located in Caernarfon.

The branch in Denbigh was established in 2012, and now offers music tuition with experienced tutors, as well as our exciting project Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) that introduces music to children aged six months to seven years old, and the Doniau Cudd (Hidden Talents) project which offers music sessions for children with learning difficulties, as well as other projects in the community.

The aim of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Dinbych is to repeat the success at the Canolfan in Caernarfon that now sees over 400 people receiving lessons each week by over 45 experienced tutors.

The Canolfan welcomes any suggestions on the type of activities you would like to see at Denbigh as well as your enquiries by contacting us. 

Success for Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Denbigh Music Day

Success for Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Denbigh Music Day

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.

Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Denbigh Music Day!

Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Denbigh Music Day!

Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre in Denbigh will open its doors to everyone for a day of music activities on the 12th of July 2015. The day will include a harp workshop with Dylan Cernyw and Morwen Blythin, Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) project for children from 6 months to 7 years old, Llwyfan Cerdd Concert by the music centre’s students and free taster lessons with experienced tutors.

The Denbigh branch of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias started to give music tuition in the town in 2012 and has since grown to provide lessons on a variety of instruments and voice with experienced tutors including Ann Atkinson, Teleri Siân, Glian Llwyd, Alfred Barker, and Morwen Blythin. Community projects including the Hidden Talents programme for adults who have learning disabilities and music sessions in nursing homes have also been developed in collaboration with Denbighshire Arts Services. 

The day will begin with a harp workshop by Dylan Cernyw and Morwen Blythin. This will be open to harpists of all ages and abilities, and will end with a short informal performance at 12. 

Camau Cerdd is a project that Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias is already offering at its Centre in Caernarfon. The project leader, Marie-Claire Howorth is looking forward to introducing the project in Denbigh for the very first time. She said: 

‘Camau Cerdd is a project which has several years of proven success behind it throughout Gwynedd. It is with great enthusiasm that I am now looking forward to introducing Camau Cerdd to Denbigh. It’s an exciting and important project that I believe has the potential to empower the body and brain, develop literacy, numeracy, coordination, memory and social skills. The project builds an understanding of culture and identity too as the classes are bilingual and encourage early learning of folk songs. Young children and their families will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of the world of music using instruments, games, songs and more’.

Sessions targeting 6-24month olds, 2&3 year olds and 4-7 year olds will be held during the afternoon.  There will be a special price of £2 per child to celebrate starting this exciting project in Denbigh.

The Canolfan will also offer a range of free taster lessons with experienced tutors. They will be available on the harp, piano, violin, and voice. Contact the Canolfan to book your free taster lesson.

To end this special day a Llwyfan Cerdd Concert will be held by the Canolfan’s students. These concerts provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain confidence by performing in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Donations will be gratefully received at the end of the concert.Contact Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias to book your free taster lesson, or to register and receive more information about the Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) project or the Harp Workshop with Dylan Cernyw and Morwen Blythin.

Summer Concerts

Summer Concerts

University. Elin has been working with us to organise a series of concerts by former students. Here is a post from Elin discussing her work with the Canolfan:

As a former student of the William Mathias Music Centre and MMus student at Bangor University, I am very fortunate to have gained an ATM scholarship through which I am working for the Canolfan over the summer period. The ATM (European Social Fund) is a scholarship for masters students, supporting their studies and enabling them to work for a local company.

One of the tasks that I have been assigned to is organising a series of concerts over the summer, to include various former students of the William Mathias Music Centre. Many of these musicians are studying at a music college or have recently graduated and are embarking on a professional career. They are grateful for the opportunity to perform in their local area and everyone at the Canolfan is looking forward to seeing some of them return to North Wales!

Elin Roberts

These are the details of the concerts to come:

Meinir Wyn Roberts (soprano) and Steven Evans (piano)

Saturday afternoon, July 18, 3pm

Feed My Lambs Hall, Caernarfon

Gwyn Owen (trumpet) and Steven Evans (piano)

Thursday evening, August 13, 7pm

Powis Hall, Bangor University

More dates to follow soon!

Steps in Music at Anglesey’s Family Festival

Steps in Music at Anglesey’s Family Festival

On Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th of June Camau Cerdd/Steps in Music visited the Showground in Mona for the Anglesey Family Festival. 

They had three sessions each day and had a variety of children coming to meet Mr. Cerdd and learn music.

On the Friday schools from all over Anglesey were at the festival and those who frequented the Steps in Music sessions with Charlotte and Gethin learnt how to play different rhythms in time on percussive instruments as well as learning to sing the sol-fa with the corresponding hand gestures.

On the Saturday it was a turn for younger children to have a music session with their parents and Marie-Claire and Gethin. They got to meet Mr. Cerdd and sing songs and play instruments whilst hearing the story ‘A Rumble in the Jungle’ (by Andreae and Wojtowycz).

We all had a wonderful time!

Urdd Eisteddfod Success for CGWM students

Urdd Eisteddfod Success for CGWM students

Congratulations to the following students who receive their tuition at CGWM on their success in the National Urdd Eisteddfod last week :

Strings Solo Year 7-9 : Gwydion Rhys 3rd   Tutor : Nicki Pearce

Girls’ Solo Year 7-9 : Llio Meirion Rogers 2nd   Tutor : Ann Atkinson

Piano Solo Yr. 10 – under 19 : Math Roberts 2nd  Tutor : Iwan Llewelyn-Jones

Woodwind Solo Yr.10 – under 19 : Megan Hunter 2nd  Tutor : Rhiannon Mathias

Song from a Musical for singers aged 19-25 : Gwen Elin 3rd   Tutor : Mary Lloyd-Davies

Congratulations also to Mabon Llyr who is a member of CGWM’s chamber duo for winning 3rd prize in the Strings Solo for Year 10- under 19 years.

We look forward to seeing Gwen Elin and one of our ex-students Meinir Wyn Roberts (now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London) taking part in the Bryn Terfel Scholarship competition in the Autumn. Good luck to you both and well done for being selected.

We were thrilled to hear about Math Roberts’ success in the Composer’s Medal competition. 15 year old Math’s composition for the harp was awarded second place in the competition which was open to composers under the age of 25 – quite an achievement. Math studies the harp with Elinor Bennett at CGWM and started composing the piece during the composition workshops arranged by CGWM as part of the 2014 Wales International Harp Festival.

Congratulations also to all the students who were successful in other competitions including recitation, ensembles and choirs during the week

Guitars@Galeri Attracts Guitarist to Caernarfon

Guitars@Galeri Attracts Guitarist to Caernarfon

Guitars@Galeri Festival Direcotr, Neil Browning is overjoyed after a successful guitar event brings guitarist from all over Wales to Caernarfon to learn more about the guitar and to attend a concert by well-known guitarist Gary Ryan.

The event was held on the 22-24 of May 2015, and began with an open mic event where all the course participants were invited to perform in the bar.

The weekend continued with a series of tutorials and workshops with guest tutors including Stuart Ryan, Neil Browning, Andy Maceknzie, Colin Tommis, and Dave King. We were delighted to be able to offer such a variety of guitar styles during the event.

Above is a picture of Andy Mackenzie’s Gypsy Jazz Rhythm workshop where he introduced the basic ‘la pompe’ rhythm playing and chord shapes.

The Festival also welcomed renowned guitarist Gary Ryan to give a masterclass and perform in a concert on the Saturday night. A variety of music was performed by Gary including music from Pratorius, Dowland and Bach and also his own compositions that demonstrated innovative and virtuosic techniques on the guitar. 

World class guitarist Gary Ryan strikes a chord for prestigious event in Galeri

World class guitarist Gary Ryan strikes a chord for prestigious event in Galeri

Guitars@Galeri – 22-24 May 2015

​Internationally renowned guitar soloist Gary Ryan is joining a host of experienced guitarists to teach and perform at this month’s Guitars@Galeri event in Caernarfon.  Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias once again hosts a music teaching event at Galeri, the arts and performance space in the heart of this historic town.

Guitars@Galeri is a weekend of tutorials, performances and workshops from a team of top tutors aimed particularly at acoustic, electric and bass guitarists.  Learners of all ages and abilities will be able to take part in mix’n’match mini-workshop series featuring a variety of topics and musical genres. Tuition elements suitable for adults and young guitarists aged 15+ and is not suitable for complete beginners. 

The festival kicks off with an open mic event on the Friday evening where all performers and styles will be made welcome.

Saturday’s activities will begin with a short informal performance from the four main course tutors, and will be brought to a close by the main festival concert featuring Gary Ryan. ​

Along with his own compositions, Gary will play music by Praetorius, Dowland, Bach, Dyens and Brouwer, arrangements of Celtic Folk Music by David Russell. The concert commences with a short performance by Neil Browning’s ‘Fragile Egosystem’, featuring echo-guitar, followed by a short break.

There will also be opportunities for jam sessions during the weekend!

​There’s still time to take part in the event – contact  Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias for details. Contact the Galeri Box Office for tickets for the evening performance.

Theatr Gybolfa Films ‘A Thursday in the Life of the Music Centre’

Theatr Gybolfa Films ‘A Thursday in the Life of the Music Centre’

Thursday the 7th of May 2015. An important day with thousands across the country casting their vote in the UK General Election. It’s also an important day for us at the Music Centre since we’ve organised for a team from Theatr Gybolfa to come and film ‘A Usual Thursday in the Life of the Music Centre’.

Thursdays at the Music Centre is a great day to get an overview of some of the most varied activities offered: In addition to the bustle of day to day instrumental and singing lessons, we have other activities such as Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) sessions throughout the morning at Noddfa in Caernarfon, a Mixed Choir for Adults led by Gearing Roberts in the afternoon, Doniau Cudd (Hidden Talents), and our Chamber Choir led by Jenny Pearson. 

We’re looking forward to see the video that Theatr Gybolfa are creating for us, which will reflect the variety of activities that happens in the Music Centre during one day.