by Gwydion Davies | 16 May, 2017 | Uncategorized
Canolfan
Gerdd William Music Centre in Caernarfon and Denbigh will be offering free
music taster lessons during May 2017 for older people who are interested in
taking up a new instrument or singing lessons.
This
special offer is part of the Gwanwyn Festival, a month long national festival
held across Wales in May each year. Recently the music centre received funding
from the Gwanwyn Festival in order to offer free taster lessons to people over
50 years old as well as to hold a concert with present students during May.
According
to Elinor Bennett, one of the founders of the Music Centre: “This provides a
great opportunity for individuals over fifty to take up instrumental lessons
after retirement – perhaps on an instrument that they have previously had
lessons when they were a child, or to start instrumental or singing lessons for
the first time. I sincerely hope that many people will take advantage of this
exciting offer.”
There
are over 45 experienced tutors at the William Mathias Music Centre who provide
tuition on a broad range of instruments, including singing. It is possible to
learn about the variety of lessons offered as well as booking a taster lesson
by phoning Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias on 01286 685 230.
Elizabeth
Jones from Talysarn receives lessons with Geraint Roberts and is also a member
of Côr Hamdden Mathias. She said:
“I
used to have singing lessons when I was about 15 year old onward, but had a
break from the lessons when I started work, and I have now taken up lessons
again after retiring.”
“Having
singing lessons with Geraint Roberts at the music centre has given me
confidence and I’m now thinking about getting back into competing.”
Another
student who enjoys his lessons at the William Mathias Music Centre is Huw
Roberts, a retired GP of four years. He said:
“After
retiring I took the opportunity to join local choirs. I hadn’t received any
singing tuition prior to this, and I therefore decided to start weekly singing
lessons at the Music Centre in Caernarfon with Trystan Lewis.”
“I
really enjoy my lessons – and feel lucky to have found such a patient and
experienced tutor.”
Receiving
weekly cello lessons is an important part of life for Sioned Huws from
Caernarfon. She said:
“Music
means a great deal to me – it lifts my spirits and helps to relieve boredom
sometimes.”
Sioned
receives cello lessons with Nicki Pearce as well as being part of the CGWM Adult
Cello Ensemble.
As
well as encouraging people to take up an instrument, there will also be an
opportunity to celebrate the creativity of the music centre’s existing
students, through the ‘Miwsig Mai’ concert held in Stiwdio 1 Galeri Caernarfon
on the 18th of May.
In
this concert, adults who receive lessons at the centre will have the
opportunity to perform in an informal concert. As well as solo pieces by the
students, the music centre’s choir, Côr Hamdden Mathias will also perform.
The
choir was formed in 2015 and the members come together weekly during the school
term on Thursday afternoons.
To
organise your free taster lesson, phone Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias on 01286
685 230.
by Gwydion Davies | 15 March, 2017 | Uncategorized
12 &13 April 2017: Celebrating the harps of Ireland and Wales.
The Wales Harp Festival will be held on Wednesday 12 &
Thursday 13 April at the arts centre, Galeri, in the culturally dynamic town of
Caernarfon. Directed by world renowned harpist Elinor Bennett, this
year’s Festival features a two-day course for harpists, as well as a concert,
competition and lecture. The Festival is an annual event organised
by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre. Every fourth year it becomes
the larger scale Wales International Harp Festival. The next
International Festival will be held in April 2018.
IRISH HARPISTS COME TO WALES TO REMEMBER AN ANCIENT
LEGEND
The two-day Harp Course takes place from 10am – 5pm on
Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 April and is suitable for harpists of all ages and
abilities. Leading harpists from Ireland – Denise Kelly and Cliona Doris – will
join Festival Director, Elinor Bennett, Catrin Morris-Jones, and Elfair Grug
Dyer from Wales, to teach and celebrate the long history of the harp in both
Celtic countries. Children and young people from Wales will be taught Irish
harp tunes by the visiting students from Dublin and will be invited to perform
with them during the Festival.
FESTIVAL LECTURE
On Wednesday, April 12, at 4pm, at Galeri
Caernarfon, Dr Sally Harper will give a talk entitled :-
‘Creating a
tradition together: Welsh and Irish Harpists at the medieval council of
Glyn Achlach, Co. Leinster’
Dr Harper says: “The ‘Legend of Glyn Achlach’ has
fascinated musicians and historians in Wales for centuries. It describes an
early musical partnership between Wales and Ireland that seems to have emerged
during the early years of the 12th century, centring on a ‘council’
of Welsh and Irish harpists who met together at ‘Glyn Achlach’ in Ireland.
Their purpose was to discuss the finest features of their craft, and to write
down the rules associated with it.
But how far should
we believe this account – or is it really just an imaginary story?
Though the ‘Legend’ does reveal some mythological features,
other details are definitely grounded in reality. We now know that ‘Glyn
Achlach’ was the Welsh name for Glendalough in Co. Leinster, home of St Kevin,
while the ‘Mwrthan’ said to have presided over the council was undoubtedly
Muirchertach O’Briain, King of Munster and High King of Ireland until his death
in 1119. But perhaps of most interest for us is the practical outcome of the
council – a set of musical ‘measures’, or structural patterns, that still
survive. Their influence is clearly seen in the famous harp tablature copied
out by the Anglesey harpist, Robert ap Huw, in c.1613 – and it is surely no
coincidence that the titles of these measures bear the stamp of both the Irish
and Welsh language.’
Dr Sally Harper, the leading authority internationally on
early Welsh music, will provide the key to unlock one of Wales’ most
fascinating and forgotten legends, and will recount how Gruffydd ap Cynan
(c.1055 – 1137) known as “The Prince of Wales” brought Irish musicians to Wales
with him, and is said to have organised a great congress or eisteddfod for
Welsh and Irish musicians in Caerwys, Flintshire.
Festival Director,
Elinor Bennett, said:
“The harp is the national emblem of Ireland and appears on flags, Irish euros
– and is the logo for Guiness! It is Wales’ national
instrument with an unbroken tradition stretching back for 1500 years, according
to the evidence of poets and their verses. I look forward very much to hearing
what happened when “The Prince of Wales – Gruffydd ap Cynan- brought harpists
from Ireland to meet their Celtic cousins Wales.
“In April this year, young Irish harpists will come to the Wales Harp Festival
to enjoy making music together and to rekindle the memory of a remarkable event
that happened almost 880 years ago.
“The Welsh Government has designated 2017 as the “Year of the Legend”, and I am
delighted that Dr Harper has agreed to come to the Festival to remind present-day
harpists of this ancient legend. It is heart-warming to know that a
distinguished musicologist of English birth has made such an enormous
contribution to the understanding of our ancient heritage! “
FESTIVAL CONCERT
The Festival
Concert “Harps of the Celtic Sea” on Thursday, 13 April, 7.30 pm
will feature performances of traditional and classical music
from Wales and Ireland given by some of the most talented young harpists from
both countries.
Ten students from the Conservatory of the Institute of
Technology, Dublin, will perform alongside some of Wales’ most talented young
harpists in a varied and lively programme of music from both sides of the Irish
sea.
The distinguished harpists and teachers, Denise Kelly and
Cliona Doris will accompany the eight harpists and will bring two traditional
musicians with them to play the Irish pipes and bodhran.
One of Wales’ leading traditional singers, Gwenan Gibbard will bring her brand
new choir – “Côr yr Heli” – to make its concert debut at the Festival before
they cross the Irish Sea to compete at the Pan-Celtic Festival in Carlow,
Ireland the following week.
The Festival is thrilled to invite Côr Telyn Gwynedd / Môn Harp Ensemble,
comprising 18 young harpists, to open the concert with their conductor, Alwena
Roberts, who is the leading peripatetic tutor for Gwasanaeth Ysgolion William
Mathias Schools Music Service in local schools.
A warm welcome will be extended to two ex-students of Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias’ – Elfair
and Rhiain Dyer – to perform solos and a duo composed by the
Festival’s Honorary President, Osian Ellis.
During the concert, the introductory brochure of the 2018
Wales International Harp Festival will be launched. The Festival will celebrate
the work of Wales’ most distinguished living harpist – Dr Osian Ellis – who
lives in Pwllheli.
Tickets for the Lecture and Concert available form Galeri Box
Office 01286 685 222.
by Gwydion Davies | 28 January, 2017 | Uncategorized
Harpist
Elinor Bennett and cellist Nicki Pearce will appear at a concert organised by
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre at the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre at
4:00pm on Sunday the 29 January 2017.
The
prominent harpist and cellist are both tutors at Canolfan Gerdd William
Mathias, a charity which provides one to one music tuition at its centres in
Caernarfon and Denbigh, as well as a wide range of other music activities
across North Wales.
Elinor
Bennett was one of the founders of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias and has been
teaching the harp at the centre since the very beginning. She said: “It’s
wonderful to see Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias expanding its provision and I’m
looking forward very much to performing solo pieces and duets with Nicki Pearce
at this special concert.”
The
concert will also give an opportunity for some of the music centre’s students
to perform.
Director
of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, Meinir Llwyd Roberts said: “The string
ensembles which are coached by Nicki Pearce, provide an excellent opportunity
for young musicians to come together and enjoy performing as part of a group
“A
number of the members also come to us for one to one lessons and being a part
of the ensembles is a great way of developing their musical skills.”
James
Scourse, a Professor at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University will
appear with Nicki Pearce and the Senior Cello Ensemble to perform the Double
Cello Concerto by Vivaldi during the concert.
Tickets
are £10 for adults, £5 for children are available from Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias
by Gwydion Davies | 18 November, 2016 | Uncategorized
Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias music centre in Caernarfon received a huge surprise when
a National Lottery player revealed their application for funding had been
successful.
The
Music Centre was presented with a cheque for £7,000 as part of The National
Lottery’s ‘Thank You Wales’ campaign. The campaign allows players to find out
more about the projects that benefit when they buy a ticket.
Bernii
Owen, 22 from Llanfairpwll, who has been a keen National Lottery player since
she became eligible to play six years ago, spent a day with harpist Elinor
Bennett finding out more about the organisation and how it supports people with
a love of music, including those with learning disabilities and dementia.
Elinor
explained how the funding will help the centre purchase new instruments,
upgrade its facilities and improve its teaching provision to people of all ages
from across the area.
Internationally
renowned harpist Elinor Bennett co-founded Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias and
still teaches there. She said:
“This
National Lottery funding from the Arts Council of Wales will be hugely
beneficial to our organisation. Whether young or old, music can play a
significant role in people’s lives, whether it helps them to express themselves
creatively, communicate with others, develop a talent, form friendships,
provide them with escapism or improve their mental well-being, it can provide a
huge number of benefits.
“The
funding will enable us to not only invest in more equipment but also hold more
classes across north east Wales, where we now also have a branch and reach out
to more communities, particularly Communities First areas. It will also
help us to develop the classes we currently offer to young children as well as
enabling us to grow our Hidden Talent and music memories programmes – which are
dedicated to helping provide people living with learning disabilities and
dementia with a way of communicating with others.”
Bernii
Owen, who works as a supervisor at Wal restaurant in Caernarfon said: “It’s
great to discover more about a local organisation that is benefitting from
National Lottery funds, and also to be part of such a big surprise.
“It’s
not every day you get to hand over a cheque to an organisation knowing that the
money is going to help make a difference to the lives of so many people.
“It
was really exciting handing the envelope over to Elinor and waiting for her to
absorb the content. She was so grateful and overwhelmed to receive the funding.
There were so many smiles and hugs – it was overwhelming.
“When
you buy a ticket you usually think about the money up for grabs, but I’ve never
really thought too much about the fact that some of my ticket money goes to
such deserving local organisations like Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias.
“It’s
been a great experience to be involved in the campaign, and I’m sure the other
National Lottery players have had an equally rewarding experience when visiting
other projects across Wales. I’ll definitely be spreading the word about where
the money goes from now on, especially after seeing the impact it has
first-hand, and how many people benefit as a result.”
Jackie
O’Sullivan, Director of National Lottery Good Causes, said:
“National
Lottery players have raised a massive £1.6 billion to fund projects right
across Wales. The ‘Thank you Wales’ campaign is thanking lottery players,
without whom none of this would have been possible. We want to make National
Lottery players aware of the thousands of fantastic projects across Wales that
would never get off the ground if it weren’t for their money.”
Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias, established in 1999, is located at Galeri, Caernarfon.
Individual musical training is offered from beginner to professional level.
Currently, more than 350 students from 5 to 80+ years old attend individual
lessons regularly provided by a team of 40 tutors at the Centre in Caernarfon
and at its Denbigh branch.
The
Centre also provides other music opportunities including the following:
- ‘Music Steps’ for children 0-7 years of age
• ‘Hidden Talents’ for children and adults with learning disabilities
• Choir and chamber ensembles for youth
• Adult Choir during the day
• theory and composition classes
• Concerts and various music festivals
• Workshops and master classes by leading musicians
• Sessions in homes for the elderly
The grant will fund the replacement and improvement of the Centre’s stock of musical instruments and associated equipment (such as stools) as well as providing a laptop for video editing and other purposes.
by Gwydion Davies | 9 August, 2016 | Uncategorized
Congratulations to several of our students on their success at the National Eisteddfod this year:
Boys’ Solo Under 16 years – 1st Tegid Goodman-Jones / Tutor
Ann Atkinson
Girls’ Solo 16-19years – 1st Tesni Jones / Tutor Ann
Atkinson
Piano Solo Under 16 years – 3rd Gwydion Rhys / Tutor Sioned
Webb
Strings Solo Under 16 years – 3rd Gwydion Rhys / Tutor Nicki
Pearce
Boys’ Solo Under 16 years – 3rd Gronw Ifan Elis Griffith
/ Tutor Mary Lloyd-Davies
Boys’ Solo 16-19years – 3rd Gwern Brookes / Tutor Sian Wyn Gibson
Congratulations also to singing students Leisa Gwenllian and
Fflur Davies for winning third prize in the Cerdd Dant Duet under 21years and
to Math Roberts for winning the John Weston Thomas memorial prize on the triple
harp for the third year running.
Huge congratulations to Ela Haf, the daughter and pupil of our
brass tutor Dylan Williams, on winning the Instrumental Blue Riband for those
under 16 years and to our ex-student Gwyn Owen for winning the Instrumental
Blue Riband for those aged over 19 years. Congratulations also to Gwyn on being
awarded an MA degree with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, London.
We look forward to following his professional career.
It was great to see so many of our students, tutors and
friends competing as members of choirs and parties, performing in various
events and accompanying during the week.
by Gwydion Davies | 3 May, 2016 | Uncategorized
Following four days of competitions, concerts
and workshops the Wales International Piano Festival came to a close on a high
note on Monday evening (2nd May) with Belgian pianist Yulia Vershinina
being named the winner of the Senior Piano Solo Competition. Yulia who studies
at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester was awarded the main prize
of £2,000 donated by Roberts of Port Dinorwic.
Hungarian Domonkos Csabay was the winner of
the competition for piano accompanists. The prize was £1250 donated by the
Sickle Foundation. Domonkoz is currently studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
17 year old Callum McLachlan from
Stockport who is a student at Chetham’s School of Music won the Junior Piano
Solo Competition 1st prize of £700 supported by piano tutors of the Canolfan
Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre.
The festival organised by Canolfan Gerdd
William Mathias Music Centre and directed by pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones was
held in Galeri, Caernarfon from 29 April – 2 May.
by Gwydion Davies | 5 April, 2016 | Uncategorized
On
Wednesday 6 April, the new artistic director of the Wales International Piano
Festival, pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones will take to the road for a series of
impromptu performances in North West Wales. Armed with a brilliant red
piano supplied by Pianos Cymru and with the help of Ian Jones, Iwan will visit
four venues in Bangor, Menai Bridge and Caernarfon to play a wide selection of
popular music for passers-by, from Chopin to Stevie Wonder.
Iwan
said, “It’s going to be fun going on the road with this bright red piano –
you’ll not be able to miss us! I hope that people enjoy hearing lovely
piano music played live in these rather unexpected places. I’ll be taking
requests, so people can come along and I’ll play something just for them. They
can even have a sing along if they like, or join me in a duet!”
The
aim of the Roadshow is to raise awareness of the Wales International Piano
Festival 2016, which is organised by the William Mathias Music Centre in
Galeri, Caernarfon and which takes place from 29 April – 2 May, 2016. This
four-day event features concerts, a competition with competitors from all over
the world, and performances in informal settings.
Schedule:
Wednesday
6 April
9.30am
Gwynedd Hospital, Bangor
11.00am Waitrose Supermarket, Menai Bridge
12.30pm Frongoch Garden Centre, nr Caernarfon
2.30pm Morrison’s Supermarket, Caernarfon
by Gwydion Davies | 24 March, 2016 | Uncategorized
The
Wales International Piano Festival will be held from 29 April – 2 May 2016 at
Galeri, the iconic arts centre in Caernarfon. This year’s festival has a new
Director, pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones and is the third festival to be presented
by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (CGWM/The William Mathias Music
Centre). The festival comprises concerts, competitions, masterclasses,
workshops, lectures and interviews with guest artists.
Peter
Donohoe, acclaimed international pianist, opens the festival on Friday 29 April
at 7.45pm in a recital of works by Ravel, Debussy, Scriabin and Rachmaninov. A
former winner and recent jury member of the Tchaikovsky International Piano
Competition, Peter Donohoe will chair the Jury for the Senior Solo Piano Competition.
The
first of three piano competitions begins on the morning of Saturday 30 April
with the preliminary stage of the Junior Solo Piano Competition; the final
round takes place on the afternoon of Sunday 1 May. The Senior Solo and Piano
Accompanist Competitions begin on the morning of Sunday 1 May (preliminary
rounds) with the public finals on the afternoon of Monday 2 May. Participants
come from all over the UK and abroad.
At
lunchtime on Saturday 30 April, there will be a concert entitled ‘Satie on the Sidewalk’,
celebrating the music of Erik Satie.
The
evening concert on the 30 April at 7.45pm showcases the versatility of Welsh
music and musicians, featuring six world premieres of specially commissioned
short works for solo piano, inspired by images and words on the theme of ‘Peace
and Remembrance’. Three works are by young, upcoming composers and three by
renowned composers of international standing: Paul Mealor, well known for his
anthem for the marriage of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Richard Baker,
noted for his orchestral and chamber music, and Owain Llwyd who is at the
cutting edge of film and media composition. The young composers are Luke
Lewis, Mared Emlyn and Maja Palser.
The
Festival Education Project reaches its climax in this Saturday evening concert
with the premiere performance of a new work for chamber ensemble by four
young A-level students. This three-movement composition with accompanying
fanfares will be performed by instrumentalists from CGWM.
On
Sunday 1 May at 7.45 we go into ‘Fiesta’ mode when the piano take centre stage
to raise the roof with other instrumentalists, singers and narrators in a
concert of music from across the globe including Lambert’s Rio Grande,
Poulenc’s delightful setting of Babar the Elephant and Milhaud’s Scaramouche.
The programme features five pianists, including Festival Director Iwan
Llewelyn-Jones, and the CGWM Chamber Choir.
On
the final morning, Monday 2 May, two fun events will be held in Galeri’s
atrium: ‘Coffee and Croissants with Chopin and Debussy’ at 10.00am and at
midday, the ‘Pianothon’, where pianists of all ages and abilities have an
opportunity to tinkle the ivories.
by Gwydion Davies | 24 March, 2016 | Uncategorized
The
Wales Harp Festival will be held on Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 April at the
arts centre, Galeri, in the culturally dynamic town of Caernarfon.
Directed by world renowned harpist Elinor Bennett, this year’s Festival
features a two-day course for harpists, as well as public concerts and a
lecture recital. The Festival is an annual event organised by
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre. Every fourth year it becomes the
larger scale Wales International Harp Festival. The next International
Festival will be held in 2018.
A
two-day Harp Course takes place from 10am – 5pm on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7
April and is suitable for harpists of all ages and abilities. Tutors include
Festival Director, Elinor Bennett, Eira Lynn Jones (Professor of Harp at the
Royal Northern College of Music), Morwen Blythin, Einir Wyn Hughes and Dylan
Wyn Rowlands.
On
Wednesday 6 April at 7pm, Lord Thomas of Gresford, QC, gives a fascinating
history of his family who originate from the famous Welsh Romani, Abram
Wood. Lord Thomas is descended from Abram Wood’s granddaughter, Black
Ellen – a reputed witch – whom he describes as “the finest story-teller and
the most powerful witch of all the descendants”.
Another
prominent member of his family was the famous harpist, John Roberts, ‘The
Harpist of Wales’ whose 200th anniversary we celebrate during this
year’s Festival. Following his family tradition, Lord Thomas has recently
learnt to play the harp and will perform short excerpts during his talk.
Festival
Director Elinor Bennett said: “It is particularly interesting that a
distinguished member of the Upper Chamber in Parliament UK talks about his
itinerant and immigrant ancestors who contributed so richly to folk music in
Wales over two hundred years ago.”
The
talk is followed by a short performance by Elinor Bennett on the Welsh Triple
Harp. Her programme will include Sonata No.3 from Four Lessons 1761
written by the great 18th century harpist John Parry. “
A
spectacle of fifty harpists playing together takes place on the galleries and
balconies of the Galeri foyer at 5:00pm on Thursday 7 April. This event
will include a variety of ensemble pieces and a mass performance of dance tunes
taught during the course by Robin Huw Bowen in further
commemoration of John Roberts.
The
Festival Concert features a range of music from traditional to jazz and takes
place on Thursday 7 April at 7:30pm. Gypsy music of Wales is performed by Robin
Huw Bowen ‘Master of the Triple Harp’and performing Irish
folk music are Irish duo Chris Newman (guitar) and Maire Ni Chathasaigh (harp),
who has just been awarded Female Musician of the Year in Live Ireland 2016
Awards.
Award-winning young harpist Ben Creighton-Griffiths plays jazz on the new Camac
Electric Harp,
incorporating its technology and impressive special effects into his programme.
This exceptionally talented harpist, who is still in his teens, made his first
international professional debut in 2004 at only 7 years old.
The
2016 Wales Harp Festival is supported by Clogau Gold, Arts Council of Wales,
Gwynedd Council and Telynau Vining Harps.
by Gwydion Davies | 3 March, 2016 | Uncategorized
A
busy day in Llangollen on St. David’s Day!
A
fun day for babies, toddlers and their parents/guardians was organised by
Menter Iaith to celebrate Diwrnod Dathlu Dewin.
Many
organisations were in attendance including our very own Camau Cerdd.
Sessions
of Cropian Cerdd (Shuffle Time Music) and Camau Cyntaf (First Steps) were held
during the course of the day and a lot of fun was had by all!
Through
song and music making we visited the sea side, the farm and the jungle. We
learnt our do-re-mi’s with Mr Cerdd and felt the beats of music with Plu Enfys.
The sessions also included our new song about the daffodil, celebrating Saint
David’s day perfectly.
Camau
Cerdd had a wonderful time in Llangollen and we hope to be back some time in
the not so distant future.
If
you were at the event or are sorry you missed it then please take note that we
will be doing some similar sessions in Denbigh on the 3rd of April.
More
information coming soon – follow us on Facebook.
