Over the past few months Cered: Menter Iaith Ceredigion has been busy travelling across Ceredigion developing music skills whilst creating fun opportunities through the medium of Welsh with a brand new ukulele orchestra and ukulele workshops for children and adult.
Since October, members of the ‘Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl’ Orchestra have met on a weekly basis at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, learning to play the ukulele under the leadership of one of Cered’s officers, Steffan Rees.
The orchestra played their first two gigs in early December at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and at the National Library of Wales. Performing a selection of carols and Christmas songs in a fun, tongue-in-cheek fashion, the orchestra received a very positive response from the audience at both gigs which has led to further offers to play again in the spring.
Steffan Rees, Cered’s Community Development Officer said, “The orchestra is always looking for new members. No previous experience of playing the ukulele is required and there will be instruments available to borrow so that interested individuals can have a go at playing the ukulele before purchasing their own. Although Welsh is the main language of the orchestra a warm welcome is extended to all - whether learning Welsh or wishing to be immersed in a Welsh speaking environment.”
Rehearsals will restart on Monday, 7 January between 6:00 and 7:30pm at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. They will take place every Monday afterwards. If you would like to register for the second term of Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl contact the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Box Office on 01970 632 232.
In addition to Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl, Cered has also held Iwcs a Hwyl workshops across Ceredigion to give children and adults a taste of playing the ukulele whilst learning more about Welsh music.
Over recent months Cered has visited Ysgol Gynradd Llan-non and Adran yr Urdd Bro Sion Cwilt with carol workshops and has also worked with pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Aberporth to help compose a song for the school’s Christmas show. The very first Iwcs a hwyl: Bys a Bawd session was held at Cylch Ti a Fi Rhydypennau which involved teaching parents how to play songs from Cered’s Bys a Bawd app. The session ended with parents and children joining together in a singing and dancing session.
If you would like to organise an Iwcs a Hwyl workshop or Iwcs a Hwyl: Bys a Bawd session in your area please contact Cered on 01545 572 350 or cered@ceredigion.gov.uk.
07/01/2019