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.
by Gwydion Davies | 11 February, 2016 | Uncategorized
Wyn
ap Gwilym from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin, has recently passed his grade 3
harp exam.
Wyn
studies the harp with Morwen Blythin at Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music
Centre in Denbigh. He previously passed his grade 8 piano whilst a student at
Abergele Grammar School, before he went on to study Micropaleontology (the
study of micro-fossils) at Aberystwyth University.
Whilst
studying at Aberystwyth, Wyn happened to visit Carmarthen Eisteddfod where he
saw a stand displaying a brand new harp which was made out of carbon fibre. Wyn
was drawn to the instrument, and decided to buy it.
He
took the harp back with him to the Solomon Islands where he was living at the
time. Wyn found that playing the harp was a rewarding activity and it reminded
him of his Welsh roots, especially being so far from Wales. He recalls:
‘I
played the harp in numerous locations on the Islands, the most interesting
place was on a French research ship called, The Norris. The majority of the
crew came from Brittany, and we had a lot of fun singing Breton lyrics to Welsh
folk melodies!’
It
wasn’t until Wyn returned to Wales in the 70s to study a doctorate degree in
Aberystwyth that he started to have harp lessons. But with the pressure of work
and a new baby, he had to put the harp to one side for a while. Despite this,
the harp travelled with him when he moved back to the Solomon Islands, then on
to Singapore, and even to Saudi Arabia, where he lived and worked until 2013
before finally moving back to Wales.
In
2015, Wyn started his lessons with Morwen Blythin and now a year later he has
passed his grade 3 harp exam with distinction. His tutor said:
‘To
think that Wyn has only been having harp lessons with us here at Canolfan Gerdd
William Mathias Denbigh for a year, he has made significant progress and learns
very quickly. Wyn is incredibly enthusiastic about learning the harp, and I
enjoy teaching him immensely.’
Wyn
is now looking forward to continuing his lessons and preparing for his next
grade.
by Gwydion Davies | 17 December, 2015 | Uncategorized
On
Monday 14th December 2015 the specially designed music room at Bryn
Seiont Newydd – the Dementia Care Centre recently opened by Pendine Park
Company- was used for its first performance. Marie-Claire Howorth and Meinir
Llwyd Roberts from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias hosted an informal
interactive performance involving some of the pupils of the successful project
Camau Nesaf Cerdd (Next Steps in Music) for 4-7 year olds.
The
residents were charmed by the children’s characterful sense of dress and
ability to play and share their music. They participated in the activities by
shaking pom-poms and playing bells. To close the event Marie-Claire’s grade 6
and 8 clarinet pupils (who had also performed in the event) provided the
accompaniment for some festive carol singing. We would like to thank all the
parents and staff at Bryn Seiont Newydd for making this event possible
and enjoyable. The children particularly loved the cakes!
We
look forward to 2016 when we hope to continue this important venture between
the younger and senior members of our community with Nia Davies Williams the
Resident Musician at Bryn Seiont and Resident Visual Artist Nia Lloyd-Roberts.
To find out more about Camau Cerdd please see the Camau Cerdd page on this
website or find us on facebook/camaucerdd
by Gwydion Davies | 10 December, 2015 | Uncategorized
The
first series of Camau Cerdd (Steps in Music) project in Denbigh has come to an
end, and Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias are delighted to announce that the
series has been a huge success.
The
Camau Cerdd project has been developed in partnership between Canolfan Gerdd
William Mathias and musician Marie-Claire Howorth since 2007. The project’s
tutor in Denbigh is Charlotte Green who also tutors in areas of Gwynedd and
Anglesey following the recent expansion of the project.
The
project’s aim is to offer music tuition for children from the very start. An
education in music has the potential to empower the body and brain: develop
literacy and communication; emotional intelligence; numeracy; coordination;
memory and social skills. Camau Cerdd also develops a firm basis for further
musical learning when the children go on to start one-to-one instrumental or
singing lessons.
Support
was received by Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych and Denbighshire Arts Service to
develop the project in Denbigh and two sessions for different age groups were
held:
Camau
Cyntaf Cerdd (First Steps in Music) sessions for children between 15
months and 3 years old were held at the HWB Dinbych. They provided a general
introduction to the world of music and also inspired parents and carers to use
music confidently with their children at home.
Camau
Nesaf (Next Steps in Music) is for children between 4 and 7 years old
and the sessions were held in Theatr Twm o’r Nant where the Music Centre also
provides one to one music tuition for children and adults. The aim of these
music sessions that were held through the medium of Welsh is to develop the
children’s understanding of music in a fun way through games, sol-fa and
musical instruments.
A
special session was held on the last week to celebrate the success of the
series. Menter Iaith arranged for everyone to have a “panad” and cake and the
end of the session, giving everyone the opportunity to socialise and reflect on
the series.
The
children of the Next Steps classes gave their parents an informal concert to
show them the progress they have made over the series. The children were proud
to show them what they had learnt including singing sol-fa, playing the
pentatonic scale on bells, showing their parents the different rhythms and
finishing by dancing as they played a Latin-American rhythm on Clave.
The
parents were very proud to see their children enjoying themselves as they got a
taste of what they had been learning. Elin Jones said:
‘My
child enjoyed the sessions very much. I have been hearing her singing do re mi
often. The activities are fun, colourful and memorable. Thanks to Charlotte for
being so lively and friendly’.
Charlotte
Green, Camau Cerdd tutor explains the importance of the project:
‘By
the time children start their musical education at school or start receiving
instrumental or singing lessons, Steps in Music will have already given them a
firm grasp of the world of music –understanding rhythm, being able to read
music, have a knowledge of different instruments and the sounds that they make,
and being able to listen and express themselves through music’.
The
next series of Camau Cerdd will start in Denbigh on the 11th of
January with many of the children looking forward to continuing in their
musical learning. New members are welcome. To book a space for your child, download the registration form or contact us.
