Sophie’s blog
“On the 22nd of July Ensemble Cymru visited Ysgol Glancegin in Bangor where Milli and I caught the action on camera. We arrived at around 9am and set up the camera before the workshop started; I had the lovely job of sound assistant which involved holding up a boom mike behind the camera to record the sound.
We were able to capture the performances of Ensemble Cymru musicians, Cai Isfryn and Gwyn Owen on brass, Sioned Roberts on clarinet, Katka Marešová playing violin and Glian Llwyd on piano. It was lovely to see the interaction between the musicians and the children asking funny questions and learning about the different types of sounds each instrument makes.
To see our handy work and more importantly, to listen to the brilliant music, take a look at Milli’s video below.
The Codi’r To team, led by Carys Bowen and Bari Gwilliam, do amazing work with the children at Ysgol Glancegin. The project only started earlier this year, with the Codi’r To teachers visiting the whole year group for weekly music lessons and workshops, but you can already see how much they are benefiting from the experience. The whole group were so engaged in the music and it was clear to see how much they enjoy these sessions when they came to perform, but more about that now…
Later that morning after the musicians had played, we were delighted we had the chance to see the children perform some of their own songs. They were very excited to show us what they had practised and it was great seeing how much they enjoyed playing for us. I was very impressed at how enthusiastic they were and not to mention the talent! By the end of the morning they had everyone singing and clapping along to their songs.
I had a lovely day at the workshop and I think Codi’r To are creating wonderful opportunities for children to learn and experience music. I think it was especially exciting that the pupils had the chance to meet the Ensemble Cymru musicians, listen to them talk about music, watch them perform, and best of all, play along with them! Let’s hope the experience will inspire these youngsters to become the Ensemble Cymru musicians of the future!”
About Codi’r To
Inspired by the world famous El Sistema, In Harmony and Big Noise approach, the Codi’r To project works with primary schools and communities to deliver regular musical experiences and instrumental tuition, working with whole year groups of children. Two schools, one in Bangor and one in Caernarfon, are currently involved.
The project aims to use music as a means of improving the lives of individuals and communities. The whole experience aims to be inspirational and transformational. Through high quality musical engagement, Codi’r To aims to address disadvantage and educational under-achievement by raising the expectations and improving the life chances of children.
