What's occuring in the Music Development arm of the Music Service
Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan Music Service are delighted to announce that this year’s Celebration of Achievement for our Rock School will take place at ‘The Music Academy’, at The ATRiuM, University of Glamorgan.
This event marks the launch of a new partnership that aims to increase participation and raise musical aspirations of young people across the City. Bands from City Schools who have been working with tutors throughout the year will present their work, and awards will be made for the best performances.
The winning band will get the chance to record their songs at one of the Academy’s state-of –the-art recording studios. Awards will be presented by Dr Paul Carr – Head of ‘The Music Academy’ and Mr Simon Pitt, Chief Executive of ‘Rock School’ .
Participating are: Michaelston Community College, Glyn Derw High School, Cantonian High School, Llanrumney High School, Rumney High School and Willows High School.
‘I am extremely excited at the prospect of being involved in this new partnership between Cardiff County, the Vale of Glamorgan Music Service and ATRiuM's recently launched Music Academy (part of the faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries).
This initiative intends to offer a range of opportunities to complement and enrich the curriculum for local school children in south Wales. By enabling access to the fabulous physical and human resources the ATRiuM has to offer, this partnership's principle aim is to help assist the 'widening' and 'heightening' of musical standards, and aspirations in local schools. The Music Academy very much looks forward to playing an important role in this process’
Dr Paul Carr
Head of The Music Academy
Contact: Emma Coulthard, Music Development Officer – 02920 640950 ecoulthard@cardiff.gov.uk
MUSIC FOR LIFE! - 10TH JUNE 2008 - CITY HALL CARDIFF
Parents, pupils, teachers and guests were treated to a wonderful afternoon of musical performances by Cardiff's Special Schools plus a guest spot from Highfields Day Service. The variety of items was simply amazing, as was the talent on show.
Meadowbank School kicked off with some really accurate and expressive singing, which included a two-part song plus a medieval piece - "Now is the Month of Maying" in which even the school's staff performed in harmony!
Next up was The Hollies School who have brought the ukelele back to life in a big way! They sang some traditional songs and accompanied themselves on the "ukes" - no mean feat. My favourite was "You are my sunshine".
Third spot was Riverbank School who sang in African, Welsh and English, using "boomwhackers" at the same time. My favourite was "Sing a Rainbow" in Welsh.
Next was Ty Gwyn School who brought a portable Maypole with them and sang and danced around it which was very colouful.
The Court School had a piece about the environment especially composed by one of their pupils. They sang and used boomwhackers to create their effective performance.
Woodlands High School have a wonderful handchimes group who concentrated and listened to each other so well to perform a number of Welsh tunes, including a lovely arrangement of "Hymns and Arias"
Finally our special guests - Highfields Day Centre - performed a rousing version of "We will rock you"
Thanks to all the teachers at the schools who helped to put the performances together, and especially to Emma Coulthard and the Music Development Team.