Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias is keen to appoint an enthusiastic and reliable individual who has strong interpersonal skills to work as a receptionist at the Centre’s main office in Galeri, Caernarfon during weekday evenings (school term only).
We are currently looking for an individual to work one evening a week with the possibility of additional shifts from time to time.
For more information see the full details.
Closing Date: 5pm, Wednesday 27th of September.
We had a wonderful afternoon in the hall of Ysgol Ardudwy, on November 9th, 2019. Year 10 and 11 pupils at the school prepared an amazing afternoon tea. It was great to see such a large audience from the town. The group performed performances ranging from Bryn Fôn songs to Pink Floyd and even Ed Sheeran. We had a performance of Bach Toccata and Fugue by one of our members, Debbie. David Bieteker from Ysgol Ardudwy, was also invited to perform, it was great to share the stage. We had a performance by Elin Taylor on the cello, and by Sera Zyborska and the band. We had the opportunity to perform a song the group composed with Sera about everything the group likes. It was so nice to show the community of Harlech everything Discover the Song has been doing since we started. Looking forward to the next concert already.
Here are some items from the concert for you to enjoy:
There was some great feedback from the concert:
“A great concert! Enjoyed! Thank you for the opportunity to listen and appreciate the different talents of each participant. ”
“Excellent concert! It was clear that everyone enjoyed taking part in music with a smiley face. The audience really enjoyed it! ”
“A wonderful afternoon !!! Great entertainment. Really enjoyed. Looking forward to the next concert. Thank you very much!”
“Thanks for a feast of Music and for the opportunity for all individuals to show their unique talent in Music either instrumental or vocal.”
“Absolutely Fantastic !! Thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon. I was so impressed, and moved to (happy) tears at times! ”
“It was fantastic!” Grace, 8 years old
“Absolutely fab, had tears in my eyes! Very important to become a main part of our community. Well done all involved!”
“It was great to involve the school in your concert and integrate the community. Excellent indeed! ”
Music tutors from a highly acclaimed music centre in Wales will see the tables turned next month when they perform in front of an audience packed with students as part of a festival fundraiser.
International concert pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones will be joined by a galaxy of talented Welsh musicians from the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre) for a special concert at 3pm on Sunday, November 10, in aid of the Wales International Piano Festival.
The tutors will embark on a musical journey across the globe, from Europe to America and Australia, performing duets and trios from classical, popular and jazz repertoire.
The music centre, which has bases in Caernarfon, Denbigh and Ruthin, was founded two decades ago in Caernarfon with support from the Arts Council of Wales to help instrumentalists and singers of all ages and abilities to reach their potential.
The centre, which has helped to launch the national and international careers of dozens of musicians, now boasts more than 40 freelance tutors including internationally renowned harpist Elinor Bennett, who has taught at the centre from the very beginning.
Next month’s concert, which takes place at Galeri in Caernarfon at 3pm on Sunday, November 10, will showcase the talents of nine of its piano tutors in a fun community event featuring an array of popular classics.
The concert, which has been organised by Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the Artistic Director of the Wales International Piano Festival, will raise money towards the sponsorship of a competition prize at next year’s piano festival.
He said: “This is a community event and everybody is welcome. All the tutors have invited their students along too and so these pupils will have the unique opportunity to see their tutors performing.
“A lot of work goes into preparing pupils for exams and competitions and this is a nice way for the tables to be turned.
“We are all friends and the nice thing about doing something like this is when you get together as an ensemble, it’s so much fun. You don’t have to talk you just play. You let the music do the talking for you.
“We did a similar concert in 2015 to launch the 2016 festival. There was some anticipation and nervousness, of course, as some of the tutors don’t have the time to perform in public a lot but they loved it, it was an exhilarating experience for us all. This is what it’s all about.”
The concert, will feature, Glian Llwyd, Nia Davies-Williams, Steven Evans, Ann Peters Jones, Helen Owen, Hawys Price, Teleri-Siân, Sian Wheway and Iwan.
Among the highlights will be performances of Saint Saens’ popular classic ‘Carnival of the Animals’, Debussy’s ‘En bateau’ and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite performed on two grand pianos.
“This is one of two launch events bringing the music centre and the people who work in it together for an opportunity to showcase their talents,” said Iwan,
“I’ve put a lot of thought into the selection of music and have tried to make it as attractive as possible. The pianists are all giving their time free for this concert and it would be wonderful to have a full-house like we did back in 2015. Everybody is welcome.”
Meinir Llwyd Roberts, Director of the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, added: “It’s a very colourful and interesting programme which will appeal to families and people of any age.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity to hear the tutors themselves performing, especially for their own students. They all teach at different times on different days and evenings and it’s nice to bring them together to perform as a team”
The Wales International Piano Festival, organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, takes place between 1-4 May 2020 and will explore the three key areas of performance, competition and education.
Next year’s festival will pay homage to Ludwig van Beethoven and his pianistic legacy as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of his birth.
A Piano Day is also taking place on November 23 at the School of Music at Bangor University as a further launch event to the festival. www.pianofestival.co.uk.
To book tickets for the Piano Tutors’ Concert visit: www.galericaernarfon.com or call 01286 685222
Internationally renowned soloist Mary Lloyd-Davies from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala, will lead a musical extravaganza to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre.)
Mary has taught at the centre, which was founded in Caernarfon with support from the Arts Council of Wales, since its first day. The centre also has bases in Denbigh and Ruthin.
The concert will be held at the Galeri, in Caernarfon, on Saturday, September 7, when Mary will be joined by a galaxy of Welsh musical stars.
There will be performances by acclaimed harpist Elinor Bennett, who has been instrumental in the centre’s success, and flautist, Rhiannon Mathias, the daughter of the composer, Professor William Mathias, after whom the centre was named.
Despite enjoying a career that has taken her so some of the world’s most famous opera houses, Mary Lloyd-Davies, stayed close to her roots by tutoring vocal students at the centre.
She said: “I’ve been performing since around 1969 and have enjoyed a wonderful career. There have been some fabulous highlights and inevitably a few low points too.
“One particular highlight was performing at Milan’s La Scala Opera House in an opera entitled 1984 which is based on George Orwell’s famous book.
“I have also performed in Hansel and Gretel in San Francisco and Houston and in Strauss’ Elecktra at the Opéra Bastille in Paris.
“I made my Royal Opera House debut as the fortune teller in Arabella. I also spent 22 years with the Wales National Opera (WNO) doing lead roles in Fidelio, Macbeth, Elektra, Tosca, Ballo in Maschera, Tristan and Isolde.”
“My big break came in 1992. I was understudy for the lead role in the Richard Strauss opera Elektra. However, the lead became sick and I had to step in at very, very short notice.
“I was then offered the lead role in Elektra in the same production in 1995 for another WNO production and then stepped in at very short notice for the same role at Opéra Bastille in Paris for a different production. That was also a big career boost.”
She added: “I’ll be performing some William Mathias arranged traditional Welsh folk songs accompanied by harpist Elinor Bennett. I performed these folk songs at the memorial service for Yvonne Mathias, William Mathias’ widow, after being asked by their daughter, Rhiannon.
“The line-up for the concert is very impressive as along with Elinor Bennett we have harpist Glain Dafydd and pianist Glian Llwyd both of whom were Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias students.
“Also performing will be a former student who has become a successful singer songwriter, Casi Wyn ; cellist Gwydion Rhys and sopranos Tesni Jones and Lisa Dafydd, who were both students at the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias’ satellite in Denbigh before going on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.
“It’s going to be a wonderful evening of music and a great way to celebrate 20 years of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias success.”
“It’s really important we have Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias in North Wales. There really is nowhere else in the region offering such a broad range of high quality music activities.. And this concert is really going to be a celebration of something quite special.”
According to the centre’s director, Meinir Llwyd Roberts, it’s a charity that offers a place with a real musical buzz to musicians of all ages.
She said: “We started 20 years ago offering one to one lessons and now have more than 40 freelance tutors. And as well as being based at Galeri Caernarfon we offer a facility at Denbigh and Ruthin with lessons two evenings a week. “But we do so much more than offer one to one tuition.. We have a pre-school music programme,, we work in care homes offering music to people living with dementia, we offer singing groups in rural communities and recently secured a substantial grant to develop our provision for adults who have learning disabilities. .
“We also offer a variety of ensembles and masterclasses and organise an annual Wales Harp Festival as well as both an international Harp Festival and an International Piano Festival every four years.
“The range of activities we are involved in has and continues to grow significantly. And many of our students have gone on to become very successful musicians in their own right.”
“It’s going to be a very special evening of music with something for everyone and I’d encourage music lovers to book their tickets now to save any disappointment.”
To book tickets please ring Galeri on 01286 685222 or go to the website www.galericaernarfon.com
It was a privilege to be invited to perform in the learners’ tent at the Llanrwst National Eisteddfod in August 2019. Both Caernarfon and Pwllheli groups were offered the opportunity to participate.
The tent was packed and everyone was on fire for our very first performance!
There were some surprises … The Welsh Elvis sang with Anne Louise. It was great to see the two singing together and the rest of the audience delighted to join in!
The concert ended, with the audience singing along to the end.
A fun morning was organized for the music community of the William Mathias Music Center, their families, friends, and the wider community. Families attending Steps for Music and Next Steps for children were invited; members of the leisure choir; members of the community orchestra; residents of the Bryn Seiont Newydd Caernarfon home and members of the Caernarfon Dicover the Song got together to enjoy songs and music as part of ‘The Great Get Together’ community events
The Great Get Together was set up by the Jo Cox Foundation as an initiative to bring people together to find out what we have in common. In her first address in the House of Commons, Jo Cox said:
“We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”
Jo Cox
Thanks to the Great Get Together and Spirit of 2012, a grant was received to host an event that brought people together. What’s better than music?
Arfon Wyn led the morning, and had a wonderful morning of singing and playing instruments with the youngest aged 10 months, up to the oldest in his 90s, all enjoying the music and being together. To top it all off, cake and a cup of tea!
A new instrumental ensemble for adults held in Caernarfon, the Caernarfon Community Orchestra held its very first rehearsal on Tuesday the 5th of March.
Under the direction of the cellist, Nicki Pearce from Colwyn Bay and with Steven Evans, originally from Caernarfon as répetiteur the Community Orchestra meets on Tuesday evenings from 8:00pm – 9:15pm at Theatr Seilo in Caernarfon.
Sixteen members attended the first rehearsal with another 3 joining the second week.
It has been a dream for many years for Nicki Pearce, the orchestra leader to establish an orchestra for adults. Nicki said:
“I’m thrilled that I’ve finally been able to establish a community-based orchestra here in Caernarfon for adults.”
“There are so many adult learners who have been receiving one-to-one music tuition and this is a brilliant way for them to come together and have fun through music.”
“Also it is a great way for adults who have maybe not touched their instruments for years to pick it up again and have a go in a friendly and supportive environment.”
This new venture is organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias which is based at Galeri Caernarfon and provides high quality music tuition, as well as organising a variety of community events throughout Wales.
Talking about the new orchestra, the director of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias, Meinir Llwyd recognised the need for such an ensemble in Caernarfon:
“Nicki Pearce and I had been discussing for a while the possibility of establishing an orchestra that would provide opportunities for adults to come together, to socialise and enjoy creating music.
“Steven Evans who has recently started teaching piano at the Centre, also expressed an interest in being involved.”
“It’s interesting to see that the number of adults receiving one-to-one lessons at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias has increased over recent years, which is very good news.”
“However, we also recognised the need to provide more opportunities for the adults receiving one-to-one lessons to also take part in group tuition as well as encouraging those who may have once played an instrument – perhaps whilst they were children to take up their instruments again.”
One member that enjoyed the first rehearsal was Gwyneth M Davies from Benllech that plays Bb Cornet.
“It is only recently that I have started having lessons, though I’ve been playing for around ten years.”
“I love music – I am a keen member of the LSW Band as well as Côr Hamdden Mathias – a women’s choir that meet on a Thursday afternoon in Caernarfon.”
“To be honest I was quite nervous before the first rehearsal – not quite sure what to expect.”
“But we’ve jelled as a Group and I’ve made new friends – we’re all very supportive of each other and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
“The conductor Nicki Pearce is wonderful – she knows our different levels, and takes that into consideration when choosing pieces. It made me feel great that I could play the part I had.”
“I’ve also been encouraging my friends to join – they have an interest and are always asking how the rehearsals are going – I hope they’ll come and give it a go.”
One of the members who enjoyed the first rehearsal was Desmond Burton from Bangor. Desmond is an English language tutor at Bangor University and has previously taught English language overseas for almost 25 years. Desmond said:
“Regardless of your experience and level, if you think you’d enjoy playing music with others, come and join us in the Community Orchestra. Lots of us have never played in an orchestra before, so don’t be put off by the thought that everyone else will be better than you, because they probably won’t be!”
Nicki Pearce and Steven Evans were both very pleased to see such a variety of instruments. According to Steven:
“I did think that we might struggle to find woodwind and brass instrumentalists – but we had no trouble whatsoever – although we could do with some more violinists!”
Since the first rehearsal more members have now joined and a warm welcome awaits any other new members wishing to join the orchestra.
A new series of Caernarfon Community Orchestra will begin on the 9th of April.
To register and for more information members are encouraged to contact Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (01286 685 230 / post@cgwm.org.uk).
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (Music Centre) is pleased to announce that it will be establishing a new community orchestra especially for adults.
The first rehearsal will take place at Theatr Seilo Caernarfon on the 5th of March, starting at 8:00pm.
The orchestra will be led by cellist Nicki Pearce, who has been looking forward to establishing an instrumental music group for adults for some time.
Nicki, who also teaches the cello at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias said: “This will be a community orchestra for adults – and I would like to encourage anyone who perhaps have been receiving lessons for a few years, or perhaps those who have been playing for a while to join in the fun!”
Also joining Nicki will be Steven Evans, as a répétiteur for the orchestra.
Anyone who are interested in joining should contact Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias as soon as possible. You will need to register beforehand.
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.