Over the next few weeks there will be an opportunity for musicians in the Cardigan area to come together to form a brand new community band. Whether they are experienced musicians or someone who used to play in a school band or orchestra years ago, there is a warm welcome to everyone in ‘Band y Fari’.

Whilst Cardigan is the second largest town in Ceredigion, the town has a lack of opportunities for musicians to come together in an inclusive and intergenerational way. Cardigan is an exceptionally lively town with a busy calendar of events – events that the community band would be able to contribute towards and add to the wealth of culture that exists in the town.

The first milestone for the project is to have a band together to perform a set of Welsh folksongs ready for a Fari Lwyd event in the town in January. Then, in March the aim is to perform once again at the Cardigan St. David’s Day Parade and hopefully perform at more of the town’s big events.

Over the last few years, Cered has found success with a number of projects that promote the Welsh Language through music. These projects have seen the organisation launch a ukulele orchestra called ‘Iwcadwli’ in Aberystwyth and have seen them hold popular ukulele workshops across Ceredigion as well as mentoring young rock bands to perform at Gŵyl Aber and Gŵyl Nôl a Mlân.

Steffan Rees, Cered’s Community Development Officer has been responsible for these projects and Steffan will be leading Band y Fari. He said, “From experience, music pulls people together like nothing else and I hope that all kinds of people will come to be a part of Band y Fari as there seems to be a gap in the area for a band or orchestra to perform at local events. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of instrumentalists are in the area and to have a lot of fun over the next few months preparing a set full of Welsh favourites.”

Band y Fari’s first practice will take place on Tuesday 17 December between 6.00 and 8.00 p.m. at Y Man a’r Lle at Coleg Ceredigion Campus in Cardigan. So, bring your instrument and any folky sheet music that might be useful. The practices will be bilingual and light-hearted so there is a warm welcome to everyone.

For further information, contact Cered on cered@ceredigion.gov.uk or 01545 572 350.

06/12/2019