There is new hope for freelance musicians and singers in Wales whose livelihoods have been decimated by the current pandemic.
Two Welsh music charities have joined forces to raise funds to support performers, composers and music practitioners to work with their local communities through music. With funds raised Ensemble Cymru and Mid Wales Opera hope with the help of local singers and musicians to put music back into the heart of Wales’ communities.
Music at your place
The Music at your Place programme promises a brighter future for Wales’ musicians and communities in 2021. Covid 19 has had a devastating impact on performers with theatres closed since March and concerts cancelled into Spring 2021. Many musicians and singers have had no work for the past nine months and face a tough winter with little hope for improvement for the performing arts.
Ensemble Cymru’s Artistic Director, Peryn Clement-Evans said,
“The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for Wales’ musicians many of whom have been without work for over 9 months due to restrictions on live performances. Both Ensemble Cymru and Mid Wales Opera realised that it was time to step up and support performers, composers and music practitioners and through supporting them, make a difference for people in their local community.
“Since we launched the programme, we have been flooded with inspirational ideas from musicians across Wales to support people of all ages and their families in villages, residential homes, primary schools and hospices through music.
“The more we raise the more performers we can support, and the more music projects will take place across Wales. We making this appeal to the public, if they are able, to please help us help singers, musicians and composers by donating to the Big Give between 1st and 8 December
Lydia Bassett, Executive Director of Mid Wales Opera added:
“With so many performances cancelled, it feels incredibly positive to be talking to performers about work which is both achievable in the current conditions and making a positive contribution to communities by bringing people together through music. We’re excited to see what amazing ideas our performers will come up with and we can’t wait to get started in the New Year.”
Members of the public can help and double their donations by giving through the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge between 12pm, 1 December 2020 and 12pm, 8 December 2020.
