Music Service news, performance reports & updates
On 15th June 2010 over 140 Vale primary string players from 26 schools came together to perform in the first ever "Strictly Strings!" concert at Cowbridge Leisure Centre.
The concert was the successful culmination of the ensemble work the pupils had been doing with their tutors in their weekly peripatetic lesson in school and followed on from the "Brassed On!" concert last summer. They were joined by CCVG Youth String Orchestra, which hopefully inspired some the primary pupils to keep on practising and aim to join them! They performed "Palladio" by Karl Jenkins.
The Vale Primary String Orchestra's first piece was "Rumba" and what a good sound they made:
A Youth Orchestra Cello Quartet then played the first movement of a concerto by Telemann:
Next the Vale Primary String Orchestra performed the galop from the "William Tell" overture:
We were then treated to a violin and viola duet in the guise of twos sisters: Meghan and Natalie Evans who performed part of a duo by Mozart:
followed by a harp duet, played by Anwen Fardy and Nia Paddison Rees
The final item involved all the ensembles in a performance of "Migildi Magildi"
Our thanks to our Vale primary string team - Richard Barlow, Gareth Davies, Rebecca Davis, Jenny El-Malali, Angharad Evans, Caroline Greenwood, Alison Howells, Rhianwen Lewis, Charlotte Wood - but especially to Wendy Owen for working so hard to make the project such a great success.
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PRIMARY BRASS PUPILS ARE "BRASSED ON" IN WEST CARDIFF - JUNE 2010
Over 170 primary pupils from 27 schools in the west of Cardiff have lessons with Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Music Service. As part of the "Brassed On!" project the pupils had been learning ensemble pieces since January as part of their brass peripatetic lessons in school.
On 22nd June many of these pupils came together to form a West Cardiff Massed Brass Band at a concert at Western Leisure Centre.
The West Cardiff Massed Brass Band's first piece was a stirring performance of "Sospan Fach", conducted by Brass Peripatetic teacher Shirley Howman:
Also performing at the concert were CCVG Youth Brass Band, conducted by Keith Griffin and Symphonic Brass, conducted by Matthew Thistlewood, who showed the youngsters what they can aspire to with a bit more practice!
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The West Cardiff Massed Brass Band's second piece was "Nightcap" featuring the bottom brass:
The finale - "Friesland Fiesta" featured all three groups playing together - over 180 players!
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Our thanks to our Vale Brass tutor team - Mark Cheeke, Charles Maynard, Sian Davis, Greg Morgan, Rob Johnston and Dewi Griffiths - but especially to Shirley Howman for working so hard to make the whole project a huge success.
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STRING BAND
Sunday 25th April 2010
On Sunday 25th April over 100 young string players met in The Friary Centre to take part in String Band. Some came in the morning and some in the afternoon. Some had been to First-Time String Band before but for many it was a first taste of playing in a group with lots of other string players.
The players throroughly enjoyed themselves. They began the day by learning four pieces of music in small groups, many of them working with their own teacher. These pieces proved to be very popular although the all-time favourite was Cardiff Can Can. Tenby Tango and Rhosilli Rumba were also enjoyed. The children were interested to know that they were the only people in the whole World that had ever played these pieces!
Having worked very hard to learn their music in a small group with their teachers the children played a few musical games for which there were prizes, had squash and biscuits (this proved to be popular), and then gathered together to learn the pieces in a big group with the full range of string instruments.
Soon parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and carers arrived to watch the Concert for which the children had been preparing.
The concert was a great success. Everyone was amazed at the standard the children had reached in such a short space of time.
Many thanks are given to the staff of the Music Service who came to teach the children on a Sunday, and to Mrs Hughes for preparing all the squash and biscuits.
We hope the children will return in the future for similar events.
MAJOR AWARD FOR COUNTY INSTRUMENTALIST
The annual CCVG Music Service recitals for the Richard Fice Memorial Award took place on 14th April 2010 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in memory of Richard Fice, a Royal Marine bandsmen from Cardiff who was killed in the Deal I.R.A. bomb tragedy in September 1989. The award was initiated, by public subscription, as a memorial to Richard, to help young brass instrumentalists fulfil their potential and is open to members of Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan music ensembles up to age 19.
This year’s award of £2500 went to Jennifer Brooksby, a Year 12 pupil at Stanwell Comprehensive School. She hopes to follow a musical career when she has completed her A Levels and would like to use the award to purchase a trumpet to increase her job prospects and have professional lessons in London.
Jennifer Brooksby
Jennifer is the Principal Cornet in the Music Service’s Youth Brass Band and is also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. She was very well prepared for the recital and gave an excellent performance in what was a very strong field again this year. She has a very bright future in music ahead of her.
Head of CCVG Music Service Jeff Davies said: “The standard of performing by all players was very high again this year. I am proud that they are members of our ensembles at the Friary Centre”.
Jennifer will now be the guest soloist at the Service’s “Brassed On!” concert at Western Leisure Centre on Tuesday 22nd June.
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BRASS BANDS PGL HOLIDAY - EASTER 2010
During the second week of the Easter holidays, 2010, twenty children from the junior schools’ brass bands spent five days at the PGL adventure centre at Tregoyd House near Hay-on-Wye, acconmpanied by Mr. C. Sharp (trip organiser and brass bands’ administrator), Miss S. Howman (conductor), Mrs Sarah Dawe and Mrs. Susan Clement.
The stay at Tregoyd house is action-packed from the moment the children arrive until the moment they leave. The instructors for all of the activities are of a very high standard, with safety of the children always uppermost.
When not actively engaged in a sport and adventure, the children are supervised round the clock by PGL and brass band staff.
Each evening there is a short band practice after which there are ‘evening ents’ supper. This year one of our childrens’ groups won the ‘great egg race’, which involves completing a series of tasks to win items of protection for their egg, when they finally have to drop it down the central stairwell. Don’t let them try this at home – hilarious but a bit messy!
On the last evening they present a short concert, before which awards are made for the best-kept bunks, tidiest dorms (a bit of a joke that one!), and also for someone who exemplifies the ‘spirit of PGL’. This year after the first evening meal (a question of ‘spot that vegetable’), we introduced the new ‘fruit and veg ‘award. The children rose to the challenge and tried very hard to have their 5-a-day. We would have to say that the food was exceptionally good!
The children are accommodated in dormitories, and delight in staying up until the early hours of the morning on the first night, and getting up at about 4.00am. This doesn’t last long though! By the second night they are usually much keener to see their sleeping bags. Three cooked meals are provided each day, as well as supper, and the tuck-shop.
The trip is an bi-annual event which provides the children with a range of exciting activities – mostly out-doors. These activities are designed to encourage children to face challenges, overcome their fears, and to work as a team to help each other through those challenges.
This year the week’s activities included rifle shooting, archery, orienteering, quad motor sports, open canoeing, raft-building, ‘Chum’s Challenge Course’, zip-wire, Jacob’s Ladder, and a five-mile mountain trail.
The trip was a huge success – the photos speak for themselves.
For more information about the brass bands’ activities, please contact the CCVGMS office, or speak directly to the administrator, Mr. C. Sharp, on 029 2064 0951 on Monday and Wednesday evenings (6.00 – 8.30) and Saturday mornings (10.00 – 12.00).
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CCVG YOUTH WIND BAND CARNEGIE HALL MARCH 2010
Amid much national press and media interest surrounding the British Airways Industrial Action and their flight being cancelled, the CCVG Youth Wind band finally took off from Heathrow on March 20th, albeit with the band travelling on 3 separate flights, one via Dublin but by midnight all 82 members of the group had safely arrived in New York to begin what was a very hectic schedule of rehearsals and performances in their 6 day trip.
The highlight of the trip was to play in the Gala Concert of the 2010 New York Wind Band Festival in the world’s most famous venue, Carnegie Hall, but before that the young Welsh musicians would perform in a workshop under the expert guidance of the Artistic Director of the Festival, Dr William Johnson, Professor of Music at California Polytechnic State University and also give the first of their public performances in America, in the Atrium of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue.
The weather was glorious on Sunday, their first full day in New York and a trip to the “Top of The Rock” at the Rockefeller Centre gave the players the opportunity of fantastic panoramic views over Central Park and Manhattan with the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings and the Statue of Liberty in clear view.
Next stop was Madison Square Garden, another world famous sporting arena and home to the New York Knicks Basket Ball team who were playing the Houston Rockets. Despite leading for the majority of the game, the Knicks somehow contrived to lose the game and Houston won by some 4 clear points. The atmosphere was electric and the pre-match and interval entertainment shows kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Hot Dogs and Sodas were the order of the day and the souvenir shop nearly sold out on New York Knicks hats and team tops!
A walk up 7th Avenue brought the Group back to Times Square and tea at the Hard Rock Cafe, another definite high point in the trip and who would have believed that the Manager, James had recently spent 6 months working at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cardiff! He was as familiar with Splott as he was with Brooklyn ... small world indeed, needless to say the service was impeccable and the decor fabulous.
Onwards to our first workshop and rehearsal at the Sheraton Tower Hotel Ballroom with William Johnson and despite feeling the jet lag and tiredness kick in from the long journey the previous day, the Band’s collective adrenaline kept them going and the workshop and rehearsal went very well, with World Projects Managers who organise the Festival, really looking forward to our concert performance and ecstatic that we had been able to make the trip, our BA flight problems having even made newspaper headlines on their side of the Pond as well.
Everyone awoke the following morning to damp, grey skies and persistent rain falling, the scheduled performance on the Bandstand in Central Park had to be cancelled, however an alternative indoor venue was announced and none other than the Atrium of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue. For anyone who has not been to New York or visited this building, the Atrium is a huge conservatory structure in one corner of this vast building with an acoustic that was superb to play in but had a reverberation time of 6-10 seconds, very much like a cathedral. There was a very good sized audience who gave the Youth Wind Band a standing ovation for their programme of “Another Openin’, Another Show” by Cole Porter, “Phantom of the Opera” and the march “Men Of Wales” followed by “Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.”
There was even a message came down from Sir Donald Trump asking who was playing such wonderful music.
Everyone was on a high and the many parents, friends and supporters who had independently travelled to New York had time to share the success and excitement of this first public performance.
There was much more excitement to come as the Band celebrated on board the “Spirit of New York” sailing on an evening river boat cruise on the East river with stunning views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. The trip included a dinner dance complete with DJ and waiters and waitresses who also gave a cabaret performance, even the chef came out and joined with the dancing! A great time was thoroughly enjoyed all.
Tuesday, March 23rd and the main event of the trip, Carnegie Hall, the band listened to some of the American wind bands taking part in the adjudicated Festival which was in the afternoon, it was good to hear their choice of music, the standard of performance and get a feel of the grandeur of this magnificent venue. The Band’s own rehearsal time on stage was limited to 45 minutes and joined by their very special guest soloist, International Euphonium Virtuoso, David Childs, the band used every moment of the time soaking up the fantastic acoustic that Carnegie Hall is renowned for.
The Gala Concert was a uniquely British occasion with the first half being given by the Abraham Darby Academy Showband from Telford in Shropshire with their Music Director, Rachel Morton.
Both Cardiff and Abraham Darby have taken part in the Festival before, Cardiff in 2006 and Abraham Darby the following year but this was a unique tribute to British Wind Band music making that both were invited to showcase in the 2010 Gala Concert of this prestigious event.
The packed audience in Carnegie Hall’s, Isaac Stern Auditorium gave the Abraham Darby Showband a rousing ovation for their programme which included Philip Sparke’s “Prelude to a Celebration”, “Beyond the Summit” by Brian Balmages., Elgar’s “Nimrod” arranged by Jay Bocook, “And the Multitude with One Voice Spoke” by James L. Hosay, Stephen Roberts’ “American Carnival” and a Jay Bocook original” As all the Heavens were a Bell”
Nerves were jangling and adrenaline pumping as the young Welsh musicians took to the stage for the second half, touching the handle of the door as they passed through onto that famous platform as so many other great artists have done so before them, making their own moment in musical history. Introduced by Kirk Troen from World Projects, the youth Wind Band launched into their opening work, “Dolbadarn” Millennium Fanfare by Welsh composer Gareth Glyn, commissioned for the opening of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay in 2004 and given here in its first performance in the USA.
Their second work was to be a very special performance, the world premiere of their very first commission, ”Jurassic Coast” by Derek Bourgeois, which Derek dedicated to the Band’s Director, Sean O’Neill and generously funded by Ty Cerdd Music Centre Wales especially for this concert in Carnegie Hall. This is a serious work with many glorious solo lines for horn, cor anglais, oboe, clarinet and flute all of which were played with great musical sensitivity and style. The ensemble passages were rich and sonorous and the quirky humour that defines Bourgeois’ compositional style were all brought off to superb effect and the performance was richly and enthusiastically received, just reward for all the hard work in preparation.
David Childs joined the Youth wind band on stage to perform three movements of the Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto, which had been specially written for David and premiered with the BBC Concert Orchestra in the last night of the Welsh Proms in Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall in 2009. This setting for soloist and wind orchestra was another world premiere performance and so virtuosic was David’s playing that the audience gave him a standing ovation at the end of the first movement! The second movement “Romanza” was beautifully played and sympathetically accompanied before the finale “A Troika. Tidy!” which was performed at breathtaking speed and again drew a standing ovation for Soloist and Band at the end.
The mood of the programme was completely changed by “Sunrise Over Blue Ridge” a work originally written for Wales’ World Champion Brass Band, the Cory Band and rescored especially for the Youth Wind Band’s performance in New York by the young English composer, Dan Price. The work is inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains in West Virginia and is superbly atmospheric in recreating the special effect of a morning sunrise.
A real tour de force followed with American, Eric Whitacre’s “Equus” a work of dynamic minimalism for wind orchestra and regarded by many as one of the finest compositions for this medium, extremely challenging and performed with great style by this virtuosic ensemble.
The Youth Wind Band concluded their programme as they had started with another work by a very eminent Welsh composer, Gareth Wood. On their last visit to Carnegie Hall, they gave the first overseas performance of “Legends of the Bear” an epic work commissioned for the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales also by Gareth, this time they chose to perform his fantastic arrangement of the traditional Welsh folk song “Sospan F ach”, hugely exciting and again drawing the audience to their feet at the culmination of a brilliant performance by these extremely talented young Welsh musicians.
At the end of the Gala Concert, all the directors of all the ensembles taking part in the Festival were brought on stage for the presentation of awards and each was presented with a souvenir plaque and conductors baton from Carnegie Hall to mark their achievement.
After leaving the stage, the musicians made their way back to Times Square, once again to the Hard Rock Cafe, where they were joined by David and Joanne Childs to join in a celebration of their epic performance. No smashing or setting alight of guitars on this occasion just platefuls of New York’s famous cheesecake, apple-pie and chocolate gateaux which went down much better!
Alarm clocks were set early for Wednesday morning as the Band were up and on their way to Long Island to spend the day at Syosset High School as guests of the Syosset High School Wind Ensemble, organized by the Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts, Michael J.Salzman.
This fantastic day came about when Michael and Sean met in 2008 when Michael, a chaperone and member of a touring group, American Music Abroad came and shared a concert platform with the YWB in the Atrium in Cardiff. At that stage plans for the YWB trip to New York were still very much in their infancy but as time went on, the idea of having a joint day exchanging and sharing musical traditions and cultures grew and grew and Wednesday, March 24th was the culmination of that idea.
From the outset, the warmth and hospitality extended by our American hosts was overwhelming, their generosity and welcome knew no bounds and immediately we felt at home. The plan to host a day of musical rehearsals, workshops, lunch, ten pin bowling and a joint concert at the end all came to fruition.
David Childs as we might expect had a full house for his workshop sessions and YWB members, Rowan Hunter and Meirion Davies gained expert advice on how to develop their playing from this internationally acclaimed Virtuoso. David was joined by two other eminent musicians to lead the master class workshops, James Fenichel, who gave the most amazing display of kit drumming techniques and a true Legend of the wood wind world, Stanley Drucker. Stanley has only recently retired from his position as Principal Clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, a musician of outstanding acclaim, 60 years a member of the New York Philharmonic, 48 as Principal Clarinetist, he has played under nine Musical Directors, including Bruno Walter, Dmitri Mitropolous, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez and Zubin Mehta and performed in 60 countries of the World. For two of the YWB players, Livia Frankish and Hugh Dunkerley, performing in this master class with such a legend, was a once in a lifetime experience and richly rewarding for all who witnessed this master at work.
New friendships were made over a Pizza lunch and further cemented as the two ensembles were integrated into teams at the local bowling alley. They do take their bowling seriously in the USA and the YWB staff, although putting up a good show were rather overshadowed by their American counterparts.
After another superb meal provided for by the Syosset Music Honours Society, which even included a surprise cake for 18th Birthday Girl, Isabel Trew, Ellen Brookes offered our hosts a sincere vote of thanks on behalf of all the CCVG Youth Wind Band members for such a wonderful day.
The final concert of the Tour was excellent. The Syosset High School Wind Ensemble performing with great skill and musicianship in accompanying Stanley Drucker superbly in Carl Maria von Webber’s “Fantasia and Rondo”
The Youth Wind Band brought some new music to this concert and showcased David in a range of his most flamboyant Solos, “Brilliante”, “Carnival de Venice”, “Donegal Bay” which was especially arranged for this performance and “Hot Canary” an outrageous encore for soloist and band and which was hugely enjoyed by the entire audience. The YWB’s final item was another work especially scored for them by Dan Price, again a piece originally written for the Cory band and absolutely fitting for this concert entitled “An American Tale”, it is a collection of songs from the American Civil War but arranged in the style of some of America’s most well known and loved composers, Sousa, Bernstein, Ives and Copland, an out and out winner of a piece and guaranteed standing ovation to finish.
Both ensembles joined to perform two pieces, Cole Porter’s “Another Openin’, Another Show” and a well known work by the March King, John Philip Sousa, “Hands Across the Sea”
Many new friendships were made and this opportunity to share a mutual and kindred love of music making made this trip very special indeed and our thanks again to all of the staff at Syosset and especially Michael Salzman for all his work in making this possible.
Our final day in New York was spent with last minute shopping, sightseeing and just one last taste of that famous cheesecake. Too soon it was time to board the coaches and head back to JFK. Fortunately we were all able to fly back together and with much catching up of sleep on the flight we were winging our way back home. Looking out of the aircraft window at 5.45 a.m. we flew over Cardiff, the Bay, Barrage and City extremely clear, our recent adventures almost at an end.
On our return, we received a very special letter from New York Artistic Director, William Johnson who commented.....
” I know I speak for the large crowd in attendance in Carnegie Hall, when I tell you that your performance was nothing short of stunning and inspirational, as evidenced by the ovation you received.”
“The sonorous grandeur with which you played the Whitacre, the majesty and excitement you generated in the Bourgeois and the whirlwind of colour and brilliance you achieved in the Jenkins made your performance something I will always cherish. The Whitacre was conducted with such excitement and terrific energy – it really danced. Your heartfelt interpretation of all of the pieces was incredibly powerful and beautiful and your guest soloist, David Childs was spectacular.”
“Personally I was very moved, not only by the magnificent musical product you created, but also the great love and integrity you demonstrated in its preparation. We all relish those moments when music opens the heart and exposes the soul. As Artistic Director for the Festival, I want to thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us and now it is over, you have some very special memories. I am confident that you and your students will be sharing those memories with your grandchildren. I do hope our paths will cross again!”
“With Admiration” William Johnson
The memories of this fantastic trip will live with all 82 members of the Youth Wind Band forever, without them none of this would have happened. The hard work of preparing, fundraising, rehearsing, coping with the last minute disruptions of the BA strike actions all form part of the folklore, as these young players from CCVG Youth Wind Band made their mark on musical history and will dine out on retelling of this adventure for years to come. Thank you, each and every one of you and very well done.
May I offer a very heartfelt thanks to all the Staff involved for all their wonderful contribution to the safe and smooth running of the trip, Cristyn Patterson, Geraldine Charles, Rebecca Eldridge, Rhys Matthews, Joe O’Connell, Matthew Downes and especially Sian Davies who pulled all the strands together.
Sean O’Neill
Musical Director
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LORD MAYOR'S CHARITY SPRING SHOWCASE - ST.DAVID'S HALL 16TH MARCH 2010 - report
Over 550 children in nine different ensembles performed to an audience of over a thousand at the Lord Mayor's Charity Spring Showcase at St David's Hall. The standard of playing and singing was excellent.
The concert began with the Intermediate Percussion, conducted by Celi Johnston, who performed "Tijuana Samba" and "Peter Gunn Theme Tune":
followed ably by the Senior Guitar Ensemble who were performing on the main stage at St David's Hall for the first time.
Chris Ackland conducted them in performances of "Il est bel et bon bon", "Diablo" and an arrangement by Chris of the Eagles' "Hotel California"
The Junior Schools' Cluster Choir featured 250 pupils from the schools which feed into St Teilo's C.W. and Llanedeyrn High Schools, conducted by Elizabeth Norman from Glyn Coed Junior and Helen Camilleri from Bryn Celyn Primary.
The Choir gave lively performances of "Deffra!", "I wanna sing scat", "As One" and the Abba classic "Thank you for the Music"
The Transitional Wind Band was conducted by Rob Johnston. They performed "Soul Express" and "Rites of Tamburo"
In the interval the audience were serenaded by Oakfield Primary School Steel Pans, led by Wada:
The second half of the concert began with a performance by the High Schools' Brass Band, conducted by Charles Maynard, of "Chanson D'Amour", "When Sunny gets blue" and "Miss Chatterbox" from "Four Little Maids"
and continued with the Youth Choir, conducted by Jeff Davies Liz Roberts who sang "Pastime with good company", "Ar Lan y Mor" and "Climb ev'ry Mountain"
Next was the Youth Wind Band, conducted by Sean O'Neil. This was their final performance before their long-awaited trip to the USA and their concert in the world-famous Carnegie Hall. They played "Dolbadarn", "Sunrise over Blue Ridge" and "An American Tale"
Our final ensemble was the Transitional Orchestra, conducted by Wendy Owen who performed Tara's Theme from "Gone with the Wind", Pomp & Circumstance March No.4, Three British folk songs and a selection from "Oliver"
The final item involved over 400 children playing and singing together "Oom Pah Pah"
The concert was a great success thanks to the talent of the players, singers and the hard work and dedication of the ensemble conductors and tutors.
A retiring collection was made for the Lord Mayor's nominated charity -Bobath Cymru.
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JUNIOR SCHOOLS' MUSIC FESTIVAL - ST.DAVID'S HALL 15TH MARCH 2010 - report
Over 350 children in seven different ensembles performed to almost 1,000 people at our annual Junior Schools' Music Festival at St David's Hall. The standard was consistently high throughout the evening and each ensemble did themeselves and their Counties proud.
Before the concert the Junior Guitar Ensemble entertained on Level 3, conducted by Michelle Preece:
The concert began with the Beginners' Percussion, conducted by Celi Johnston, who played Theme from "The Pink Panther" and "Farmhouse Rock"
followed by the Junior Schools' Harp Ensemble, conducted by Sian Wynn, who performed "Y Ferch O Blwy' Penderyn, "Hallelujah" and "Migildi Magildi"
Hywel Dda Primary School Music Project performed next, led by Emma Coulthard and Christian Sefton. They performed "Shosholoza" which has been used in the film "Invictus" about the life of Nelson Mandella:
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Next up was the Junior Schools' Choir, conducted by Jen Griffin and Jenny Roderick. They sang "Picture a Playground" and "Rock around the Hop", a medley of songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s
Mark Cheeke conducted the Junior Schools' Brass Band in perfomances of "March Montage", "The Elephant" featuring three tubas, "Passing Moment" and "Wallace & Gromit"
Last but by no means least were the huge forces of the Junior Schools' Orchestra, with all the music arranged and conducted by Gary Beauchamp.
One of their pieces - "Autumn" from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi featured soloists Charlie Lovell-Jones and Ioan Petit
The finale was a a performance of "I will follow Him" by the Junior Schools' Orchestra, Choir and Brass Band:
Huge thanks to the performers, conductors and tutors who all worked so hard to make this such an enjoyable evening.
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REPORT - HIGH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR - 6.03.10
On Saturday 6th March the High Schools' Orchestra (HSO) staged their annual "Young Musician of the Year" evening, open to all players within the orchestra. The event took place at the City United Reformed Church.
Nine members of the HSO were selected by audition to perform:
Rhona Graham - Cello
Karthik Kumar - Violin
Bianca Luu - violin
Jasmine Hutter - Trumpet
Sophie Nash - Xylophone
Joshua Pennar - Trombone
Manon Browning - Harp
Catherine Porteus - Violin
Elen Roberts - Double Bass
The adjudicators were Elaine Carlisle, Peter Morgan and Jeff Davies
The standard of performance was very high. The pieces chosen by all the performers showed off their individual talents. Each was full of expression and excellent technique. It was a wonderful and really varied evening of individual performances with little to choose between them.
Most Promising prize went to Elen Roberts
Third place went to Bianca Luu
Second place went to Manon Browning
First Prize went to Joshua Pennar
Many thanks to the adjudicators for giving of their time and to the HSO Parents' Association for organising another successful event.
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CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE ST DAVID'S HALL 9.12.09
Over 500 children in nine ensembles perfomed to a packed St David's Hall audience of 1300. There was a great atmosphere and every ensemble played magnificently. One parent commented:
"My wife and I attended the concert in St David's Hall last evening; two of our young grandchildren were singing in the cluster choir. We didn't know what to expect before we went, but came away exhilarated and absolutely enchanted. It really was a most rewarding experience.
Youngsters these days are frequently and quite unfairly demonised, but not surprisingly they almost all manage to grow into responsible and well-balanced adults. No worries with all those young people last night who repaid your splendid efforts magnificently and were a shining example to their peers".
To begin the concert the Youth Brass Band, conducted by Keith Griffin performed with style and polish:
They were swiftly followed by the Advanced Percussion Ensemble who are so well rehearsed by their tutor, Celi Johnston that they don't need a conductor!
Then came the Cluster Choir consisting of 240 children from the primary schools which feed into St Cyres and Stanwell School in Penarth. They were:
Albert, Cogan, Evenlode, Fairfield, Llandough, St Andrew's Major, Sully and Victoria.
They began with "Midnight", a blues carol, sung with confidence and clarity.
Next was "The Gift", a simple but beautiful carol:
followed by "Nadolig? Pwy a wyr?"
The Cluster Choir then sang in two parts "Christmas is a time":
and finished with a jolly performance of "Noel"
The Intermediate Brass Band, conducted by Tom Griffin have not been playing for very long but showed real musicianship in their performances of "Pavane" and "Instant Christmas"
The first half finished with rousing versions of "Liberty Bell", "Nimrod" and "The Great Escape" by the High Schools' Wind Band, conducted by Kyle Jones:
Junior Jazz, conducted by Mark Cheeke got the second half off to a great start with performances of "Augustus Gloop", "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree":
The Youth Big Band "Jazz News" sounded really together with great solos in "Nasty Cat", "Li'l Darlin'" and "Fables of Faubus"
The High Schools' Choir, conducted by John Wickett, Liz Roberts and Iona Jones really showed what they could do in their performances of "Gonna Rise up Singing", Bendigedig", "The Christmas Song" and "Angel's Carol"
The High Schools' Orchestra gave a premier performance of conductor Charles Maynard's "Minimus", written especially for the orchestra and played with confidence and skill:
The concert ended with everyone performing "O Come, all ye faithful"
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YOUTH WIND BAND GAIN THIRD NATIONAL GOLD - APRIL 2009
Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Wind Band (CCVGYWB) have achieved the extraordinary accolade of a third Gold award at the National Concert Band Festival, held for the first time in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Bands from all over the UK performed at the two-day musical celebration after having been chosen from their regional festival. The CCVGYWB were one of only two Welsh bands who made it through to the nationals.
The band was presented with a special plaque to mark their special three-gold achievement, having previously gained gold at the Sage in Gateshead in 2006 and Warwick University in 2007. Conductor Sean O’Neil has put in a huge amount of work to get CCVGYWB performing consistently at this level for a number of years.
This augurs well for a planned trip to New York in March 2010 where CCVGYWB have been given the honour of performing on the world-famous Carnegie Hall.
Head of CCVG Music Service Jeff Davies said: “I am extremely proud of our Youth Wind Band which consistently performs at virtually professional standard”.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “This is another excellent achievement for all involved in the Youth Wind Band. They have consistently kept an exceptional standard and I am proud of how talented the band is. Congratulations to everyone.”
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Diwrnod Cerddoriaeth Werin Cymru / Welsh Folk Music Day
Sunday February 1st 2009 / Dydd Sul 1 Chwefror 2009.
On Sunday 1st February 50 young musicians met in The Friary Centre for what was to turn out to be an action-packed and energetic day of Welsh Folk Music. The young musicians played the violin, cello, double bass, recorder, harp, fife and recorder.
The day was divided into several sections during which the youngsters were either playing their instruments or dancing.
The first session was spent learning the notes for the Welsh Folk Music tunes. In all, the musicians learnt 5 pieces, working with their tutor in a single-instrument group.
After break, having had a much-needed drink of squash and the opportunity to buy tuck, the youngsters learned to dance the music to fit with what they had been playing and learning in the first session.
This session turned out to be the most popular activity of the day. Even those who were reluctant to dance the first dance soon joined in and thoroughly enjoyed themselves under the expert guidance/calling of Alun Jenkins.
The dancing was accompanied by members of the Folk Band ‘Pluck and Squeeze’ (recently seen in the Christmas episode of ‘Gavin and Stacey!!) and enhanced by the Music Service teachers present.
After a short lunch break the young musicians were divided into two Folk Bands. The individual parts that had been learnt in the morning were put together to make the music ready to provide the accompaniment for the dancing later on. The two Bands had chance to play alone and then ‘Pluck and Squeeze’ joined them to ‘fill out’ the sound.
After a very quick break the audience arrived. The Bands were just about in position ready to perform. While one band played, the other danced. The Folk Tunes learnt included ‘Fiddle Faddle’, ‘Merch Megan’, ‘Pwt ar y Bys’ and ‘Y Gelynnen’. The favourite dances were ‘The Snake Dance’ and Dawns Harlech!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and all are keen to do some more playing and dancing.
Special thanks need to go to Alun, Lorna and Peter from ‘Pluck and Squeeze’ and Mrs Hughes for organising the Tuck Shop and the squash, and also the teachers from the Music Service who made the Day possible by being there to tutor the young musicians.
But most of all, the Music Service would like to thank Mrs Wendy Owen for the enormous amount of work she put into organising the day which included making arrangements for all the music that was performed on the day.
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