Latest news with #PendineArtsandCommunityTrust
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Over 600 join music workshop at Llangollen Eisteddfod
The intergenerational session was held at the Eisteddfod and organised by Pendine Park, a major sponsor of the festival. Led by creative practitioner Emyr Gibson and Pendine's musician-in-residence Nia Davies Williams, the workshop brought together residents living with dementia and pupils from schools across North Wales and Cheshire. Sarah Edwards, Pendine's consultant artist-in-residence, said: "These dementia music workshops are inter-generational and involve our residents living with dementia in our care homes and lots of different schools. "They are fun, interactive music sessions and our residents really get involved in them, and the children do too. "It's all about having fun, shaking their maracas and waving their Pendine flags – just having a good old time." The sessions were supported by 16 care staff and 15 residents from Pendine Park care homes. Funding came from the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, set up by Pendine owners Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill to back arts and community projects. Year 5 teacher Gemma Jones, from The Rofft in Marford, said: "It was so nice to see all the residents enjoying themselves, you can see they are so engaged in the music. "The children really enjoyed joining in and having fun." Nia Davies Williams, musician in residence and Emyr Gibson, creative practitioner at Pendine Park's Bryn Seiont Newydd singing along with Ysgol Y Gwernant pupils (Image: Mandy Jones) Pupil Ted, 10, said: "The music workshop was really good. "I enjoyed the singing. "It was really nice to spend time with older people and shaking the maracas." Care home resident Gwen Davies said: "It was lovely to see so many children, they are so nice." READ MORE: Parade of Nations celebrated by hundreds in colourful spectacle at Eisteddfod Emyr Gibson, well known for his long-running role as Meical in the S4C series Rownd a Rownd, called the workshop a privilege. Mr Gibson said: "It's a privilege to do this, to bring generations together, and also to help people with dementia. "I just love the role, and holding sessions to help people with dementia, you get so much from it." Ms Williams said the workshop embodied Pendine's core values, she said: "Music and the arts are the golden thread that runs through everything we do at Pendine."
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Archdruid of Wales Mererid Hopwood to appear at festival
Mererid Hopwood, the Archdruid of Wales, will appear at the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph as part of the event's fringe programme, sponsored by Pendine Park through its Pendine Arts and Community Trust. She will read a poem originally written to uplift people during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mererid Hopwood, archdruid of Wales, said: "Such events often create a quite magical atmosphere and I'm excited at being invited to take part." Her appearance is scheduled for 9.30pm on Thursday, September 18 at Jacob's Ladder café, following the evening concert at St Asaph Cathedral. Mererid Hopwood, who became the first woman to be awarded the chair at the National Eisteddfod in 2001 when it was held in Denbigh, has fond memories of the Vale of Clwyd. She will read from her new book Mae, a collection written in both Welsh and English. She said: "I'll be reading poems from my new book Mae as well as some others. "Most of them are in Welsh but I have written poems in English and several more have been translated." Mae includes poems about peace, injustice, the environment, and family. The title comes from a piece commissioned during the first Covid lockdown in March 2020. She said: "Someone from S4C phoned up and said they wanted a poem to cheer people up who were stuck at home." Paul Mealor, artistic director of the festival, said: "It's the second time we've staged these fringe events and they were so successful last year we've decided they'll return again this year." Other fringe highlights include pianist Cyrill Ibrahim performing Harmonie du Soir at St Asaph Cathedral, jazz guitarist Joshua Lascar at the New Inn on Saturday, September 13, and a cabaret night with Jillian Bain Christie and John Frederick Hudson on Friday, September 19. Mr Mealor said: "Our first comedy evening was hugely successful and Manon James will again be appearing at the New Inn along with Katie Gill and it'll be an evening of laughs and more laughs." Ms Hopwood has previously collaborated with Mr Mealor. She said: "During Covid I wrote the words for a piece composed by Paul called Gweddi Cymru (Wales' Prayer). "It was for the BBC's annual St David's Day concert and my words were read over the music." The festival opens on Thursday, September 11, with Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, who Mr Mealor describes as "the world's finest lyric tenor." Other headliners include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, vocal ensemble Apollo5, and the Black Dyke Band. Film and TV composer Debbie Wiseman OBE will make her festival debut this year with performances of her well-known themes by the NEW Sinfonia orchestra. The festival will also host the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition. This year's closing concert will feature the North Wales Choral Union and Orchestra conducted by Trystan Lewis. Community events include a Tots & Children's concert, a dementia-friendly concert, and Mindfulness through Music workshops. Tickets and more information are available online.
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Opera star to perform at North Wales International Festival
Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, described as "probably the world's greatest tenor," will perform at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, September 11. Mr Calleja, whose voice has drawn comparisons to the late Luciano Pavarotti, is a regular at the world's top opera houses, including the New York Met, La Scala in Milan, and Covent Garden in London. Paul Mealor, the festival's artistic director, said: "I would say that Joseph Calleja is probably the world's greatest tenor – he has done everything. "Joseph has performed in all the top venues and all the major opera houses, from the Met in New York and La Scala in Milan – and he is just getting better and better. "To bring him to St Asaph for the very first time is amazing for us. "It's simply the highlight of the festival." Mr Calleja's appearance was secured thanks to his friendship with Mario and Gill Kreft, owners of the Pendine Park care organisation and headline sponsors of the festival. The couple are long-time supporters of the event through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, which funds cultural and community activities across Wales. Joseph Calleja said: "I have very many fond memories of Wales, including Llangollen with Bryn a few years ago. "He is Wales's greatest son and I love him a lot. "I can't wait to come back frankly because I am also good friends with Mario and Gill and I know it is a special year for them because Pendine is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. "At the concert I'll be singing some popular songs, so it'll be an easy going night. "We're not going to go too serious but it's serious enough that opera lovers will enjoy." Mario Kreft said: "Joseph is a generational operatic talent who is right at the top of his game, as is our own homegrown hero, Sir Bryn Terfel. "The acoustic at the cathedral is among the best in the world so it will provide a perfect backdrop to hear Joseph's magnificent tenor voice at its very best." Other headliners at this year's festival include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, choral group Apollo5, and the Black Dyke Band. Film and TV composer Debbie Wiseman OBE will also make her festival debut, with the NEW Sinfonia orchestra performing a selection of her well-known theme tunes. The festival will also feature the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust. More information and tickets are available online.
Rhyl Journal
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire Music Cooperative's gala event dazzles
Denbighshire Music Cooperative's gala event at St Asaph Cathedral featured a dazzling programme of youth ensembles, funk and jazz bands, soloists and guest choirs who brought the house down. The evening was compered by popular tenor and TV presenter Rhys Meirion in one of his first public appearances since undergoing bowel cancer surgery. Cooperative Head of Service Heather Powell told the packed audience she could not be prouder of the 'remarkable team' of tutors and their pupils for all their hard-work. MORE: Rhyl draws music fans from across the North West for popular Northern Soul night The main sponsor of the concert was the arts loving Pendine Park care group through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which was established by owners Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, to support cultural and community initiatives across the region. The cooperative was formed in 2015 in the aftermath of a financial crisis that saw funding for peripatetic music teachers being axed and two years later a sister organisation was set up in Wrexham. MORE: Music legend awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours Together they work with pupils from more than 100 primary schools and 18 high schools in the two counties while providing work for 70 freelance music tutors who are also members of the cooperative. The organisation's official Patron, royal composer Sir Paul Mealor, said: 'One of the joys of my work is travelling the world and listening to great music. I have just returned from the USA and Canada, but I have to tell you the music I have heard tonight is on a par with anything I have heard on my travels. 'The standard of young musicians we have in North Wales is world-beating. That does not just happen by accident. It is thanks to the cooperative teachers, their supporters and sponsors who have given their all to this and encouraged so many youngsters in our community to become music learners. 'A special thank-you must go to Heather Powell, an amazing visionary and a real bundle of energy who had the foresight to realise that this co-operative could work at a time when we needed it most.' Denbighshire Music Cooperative Chair Cllr Mark Young added: 'The cooperative was formed at a time when funding cuts in education hit music faculties hard. 'But Heather rose to that challenge and had the dynamism and the knowledge to turn things round. 'Now 10 years on the Co-operative has delivered a mind-blowing half a million music lessons and is continuing to grow and thrive.' TOP STORIES: Denbighshire: Council slammed for 'shameful' decision on 20mph exceptions Rhyl: Former Blossom & Bloom hub to become café named after late mother Mobile hot food business told it can't trade next to Rhyl bistro café/bar The concert was attended by Denbighshire County Head of Education Geraint Davies and Wrexham Council Chief Education Officer Karen Evans, who were both bowled over by the standard of the performances. Mr Davies said: 'In a world that often moves too fast, where the arts can sometimes be overlooked, the Denbighshire Music Cooperative stands as a shining example of what it means to nurture creativity, inspire young minds and build community through the power of music. 'Their dedication to providing high-quality music education and support across Denbighshire has not only enriched the lives of countless students but has also brought joy and pride to families, schools, and the wider community. 'They don't just teach music, they build confidence, foster discipline, and ignite passion. They help young people find their voice, sometimes quite literally, and give them the tools to express themselves in ways words alone cannot.' Among the stars of the night was blind singer Isabelle Harrison, 19, of Llandegla, a former pupil of the cooperative, who entranced the audience with her rendition of the hymn All Through the Night. Izzy, now a student at the Royal College for the Blind, said: 'It is a great honour for me to be invited back to perform at the 10th anniversary concert. The cooperative has played a big part in my life, funding me for singing lessons from an early age. 'They were invaluable in building confidence and self-esteem. It's hard to fully express how grateful I am for all they have done for me and other young people in Denbighshire.' There was rapturous applause, enthusiastic whistles and at one point a standing ovation mid-concert as the audience cheered special guests Dynamic Signing Sensations, from Wrexham. The charity choir for young people with disabilities performed British Sign Language to hit tunes Country Roads and Living on a Prayer. Other performers included pupils of Ysgol Melyd in Meliden, who melted hearts with their winning song from a Song for Denbighshire competition run by the cooperative. Pupils of Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin, who made up the bands Ambrose Pop and Ambrose Fusion, won rousing applause. Senior and junior percussion ensembles led by DMC tutors Ben Neal and Joe Pearson, also gained plaudits with toe-tapping numbers including Thriller, Friend like Me, and the theme to Mission Impossible. Among the special guests was Côr Nant Clwyd, a mixed choir for the over 30s with more than 100 members drawn from across Denbighshire, Conwy and Flintshire. Rhys Meirion, who also delivered a spine-tingling solo performance, said the evening was a true showcase of the young musical abilities now thriving across North Wales. The evening was rounded off by the Tri County Fusion Band, led by Scott Lloyd and featuring top notch music students from the three counties of Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire. They delivered bumper crowd-pleasers including instrumental versions of Every Little thing She Does is Magic, and Ain't No Mountain Higher.
Rhyl Journal
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Last call for Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition
Entries are now open for the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, taking place during the 2025 North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20. The competition is open to instrumentalists and singers aged under 21 as of January 1 this year, who are either born or living in Wales, or Welsh nationals living abroad. Professor Paul Mealor, royal composer and co-founder of the competition, said: "It's not too late for young musicians to enter the competition – there's still a few weeks left. "We've already had a load of entries but we want to make sure we reach out to rising stars in every corner of Wales. "If there's any young instrumentalists or vocalists who want to have a chance to win thousands of pounds in prize money and to perform live on BBC Radio Cymru, they need to get their skates on." The competition is funded by the festival's headline sponsor, Pendine Park, through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust. The winner will receive the silver Pendine Trophy and a £2,000 cash prize. The judging panel includes Professor Helena Gaunt, principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; internationally acclaimed soprano Rebecca Evans CBE; and Alun Jones, the festival's executive vice-chair and former principal of Chetham's School of Music. Mario Kreft MBE, co-founder of the competition alongside Professor Mealor, said: "After the success of the inaugural competition last year, we're really excited about the prospects for the 2025 contest. "Our aim is to encourage and foster young, emerging talent and the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition has all the makings of a very prestigious event. "I think in years to come it will be one of the premier competitions for young musicians and will hopefully assist them and propel them in their careers. "From our perspective it totally fits in with our ethos as an inclusive, inter-generational care group." To enter, applicants must upload a video or audio performance and complete an application form by the deadline of 5pm on Friday, July 4. If under 18, entrants must have permission from a parent or teacher. Submissions will be judged anonymously, and selected candidates will be invited to perform a 10-minute programme in the semi-final. Four will advance to the final round. More information and entry forms are available on the festival website at Tickets for the North Wales International Music Festival 2025 went on sale today Thursday, June 12.
