Jazz Band
The Jazz band is for instrumentalists and singers of secondary school age who wish to create and experiment in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. This project is a partnership between CGWM, Gwynedd and Anglesey Schools Music Service and Galeri Caernarfon as part of the National Plan for Music Education activities in Gwynedd.
Location : Galeri Caernarfon
Tutors : Marie-Claire Howorth a Gabriel Tranmer
When : every other Saturday,2:00-3:30pm
To register : click here
Guide : the band is suitable for instrumentalists who can play their instrument to grade 3 standard and above
Cost : there is no cost to register
Cello Ensembles
The Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Cello Ensembles are directed by professional Cellist and tutor Nicki Pearce. They have been running successfully for a number of years and cater for most levels of students.
The groups generally meet once a month.
There is a Junior Ensemble (grades 1-4) and a Senior Ensemble (grades 5+). Both groups have a mixture of adults and young Cellists.
The Cello Ensembles aim to perform at concerts or events three times a year. Other than doing your average concert, they have gone busking and played on the summit of Snowdon!
As well as performance opportunities, the members have benefited in receiving tuition in Master Classes by accomplished Cellist Steffan Morris and took part in a workshop held by Anup Biswas; Indian Cellist and founder of the Mathieson Music School, Kolkata.
Nicki endeavours to give the groups a wide range of styles of music from Baroque and Classical through to arrangements of popular tunes and jazz. Nicki also composes and arranges music herself specifically for the ensembles. Students are given a great opportunity to develop strong skills in group playing and furthering their technique.
Please contact us for further information or if you wish to become a member of the Cello Ensemble.
Trios and Quartets
String Ensembles at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias meet on a weekly basis for ½ or ¾ hour sessions. Currently we have . 4 ensembles – Junior and Senior Piano Trio and Junior and Senior String Quartet
All Ensembles perform regularly at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias concerts and in the wider community at Eisteddfodau and events. Past performances have included a senior string quartet working with Catrin Finch, a Baroque Trio Sonata group working with Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, and an expanded string ensemble working with the Mavron string quartet from Cardiff on the Mendelssohn Octet and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no 3. Performance venues have included the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph and Neuadd John Ambrose (Rhuthin) to promote the new branch of Canolfan Gerdd in Denbigh.
All of the string ensembles above are tutored by Nicki Pearce.