News
Below can be found news on forthcoming projects and events in which
Craig is currently involved. News is posted as and when it becomes
available. This section of the site is frequently updated.
Previous news items can be found in the News Archive section of this site.
Previous news items can be found in the News Archive section of this site.
Weihnachten in Deutschland
Craig recently enjoyed a superb Christmas visit to Germany, visiting both the city of Ulm and Rhondda Cynon Taf's twin town of Ravensburg in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg.
The visit saw a meeting with Ravensburg Oberbürgermeister Dr. Daniel Rapp, a comprehensive tour of the town of Ravensburg, a climb to the top of the 768 steps of the incredible 469 ft Ulm Munster, and excellent collaborative rehearsals and joint performance with Porth County Community School Choir and the Jugendsinfonieorchester of the Ravensburg Musikschule.
It is now hoped that a reciprocal visit can take place in June 2013, during the 20th anniversary year of the twinning between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Ravensburg. Further information on this will be posted here as and when it becomes available.
The visit saw a meeting with Ravensburg Oberbürgermeister Dr. Daniel Rapp, a comprehensive tour of the town of Ravensburg, a climb to the top of the 768 steps of the incredible 469 ft Ulm Munster, and excellent collaborative rehearsals and joint performance with Porth County Community School Choir and the Jugendsinfonieorchester of the Ravensburg Musikschule.
It is now hoped that a reciprocal visit can take place in June 2013, during the 20th anniversary year of the twinning between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Ravensburg. Further information on this will be posted here as and when it becomes available.
2013 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
Planning for the 2013 edition of the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, has begun with the 2013 production meetings being held earlier this month in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The 2013 Tattoo will feature a host of leading international performers from seven countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Further details on the 2013 RNSIT including further details on content and themes will be revealed periodically at the Tattoo website www.nstattoo.ca DVDs and CDs of the 2012 production are now available and can be purchased from the same
The 2013 Tattoo will feature a host of leading international performers from seven countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Further details on the 2013 RNSIT including further details on content and themes will be revealed periodically at the Tattoo website www.nstattoo.ca DVDs and CDs of the 2012 production are now available and can be purchased from the same
Herzliche Glückwünsche Polizei Show Hamburg!
Hearty congratulations to all involved in the 2012 Hamburg Polizei Show. Performers from Germany, Estonia, Switzerland thrilled the capacity crowds for four performances at the 4 000 seat Hamburg Sporthalle.
Representing Wales and Canada were soloists Brenna Conrad and Peter Karrie. The duo thrilled audiences with their renditions of the Main Theme from Phantom of the Opera and ballad Somewhere Out There from An American Tale.
The polizei show and fabulous city of Hamburg were, as always, a joy to behold and pleasure to visit.
Further information on previous events, plus details of the 2013 show can be found at www.polizeishow-hamburg.de
Representing Wales and Canada were soloists Brenna Conrad and Peter Karrie. The duo thrilled audiences with their renditions of the Main Theme from Phantom of the Opera and ballad Somewhere Out There from An American Tale.
The polizei show and fabulous city of Hamburg were, as always, a joy to behold and pleasure to visit.
Further information on previous events, plus details of the 2013 show can be found at www.polizeishow-hamburg.de
Sound Affairs
Craig is delighted to join the Board of Sound Affairs.
Led by Artistic Director Charlie Barber, Sound Affairs produces recordings, tours, performances and concerts of new music, dance and digital art.
For more than twenty years, Sound Affairs has been staging strikingly innovative concerts and events featuring new music juxtoposed with cinema, theatre, dance and video. Its work has been recognised with a BBC Wales Arts Awards which seek "to encourage and reward progressive, bold and enterprising work".
The aims of Sound Affairs are:
* to make live music accessible to a wide audience, with particular emphasis on new works
* to develop collaborative venures between arts practitioners from different media
* to encourage young people in their appreciation of the arts as expressive media
* to ensure that equlaity of opportunity shall be pursued regardless of colour, creed, disability, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation
Further information on the company can be found at www.soundaffairs.co.uk
Led by Artistic Director Charlie Barber, Sound Affairs produces recordings, tours, performances and concerts of new music, dance and digital art.
For more than twenty years, Sound Affairs has been staging strikingly innovative concerts and events featuring new music juxtoposed with cinema, theatre, dance and video. Its work has been recognised with a BBC Wales Arts Awards which seek "to encourage and reward progressive, bold and enterprising work".
The aims of Sound Affairs are:
* to make live music accessible to a wide audience, with particular emphasis on new works
* to develop collaborative venures between arts practitioners from different media
* to encourage young people in their appreciation of the arts as expressive media
* to ensure that equlaity of opportunity shall be pursued regardless of colour, creed, disability, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation
Further information on the company can be found at www.soundaffairs.co.uk
"Joining In" The Making Music Conference 2012
It was a great pleasure for Craig to be able to bring the 2012 Making Music Conference on Participation to Wales and fantastic new building of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Entitled "Joining In" the conference was a packed weekend of activity, featuring workshops on singing, drumming, brass playing, DJing, and a host of guest speakers and organisations.
Alongside keynote speaker Paul Mealor were representatives of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Community Music Wales, Live Music Now Wales, Music Partnership Forum Wales, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, TRAC Cymru, Welsh National Opera, BABS & LABBS and the Cobweb Orchestra.
The evening concert Jubilate! featured an eclectic mix of music, including four world premiere performances in Paul Mealor's Jubilate! Jubilee!, Evan Dawson's Island Race, Duncan Macleod's Asymptotos and a Tŷ Cerdd and Making Music Wales-commissioned brass band orchestration of Gareth Wood and Francesca Kay's education project Sea Dogs, which was narrated by the lyricist. Featured performers included soloists Colette Boushell (soprano), John Paul Ekins (pianist) and Megan Morris (harp), alongside some of Wales’ finest voluntary music groups, the Cory Band, Richard Williams Singers, Gentlemen Songsters, Abergavenny Borough Band and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, conducted by Craig, Paul Mealor, Owen Farr, Dominic Neville and Robin Osterley. The concert was recorded by BBC Radio 3.
The conference was a great success and huge thanks must be expressed to all the expert speakers, panellists, groups and musicians, exhibitors and sponsors, and of course the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama themselves, whose staff were exemplary; huge thanks also of course to all who attended.
Retrospective information on and from the conference can be found at the Making Music website here while a brochure for the event can also be downloaded here
Entitled "Joining In" the conference was a packed weekend of activity, featuring workshops on singing, drumming, brass playing, DJing, and a host of guest speakers and organisations.
Alongside keynote speaker Paul Mealor were representatives of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Community Music Wales, Live Music Now Wales, Music Partnership Forum Wales, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, TRAC Cymru, Welsh National Opera, BABS & LABBS and the Cobweb Orchestra.
The evening concert Jubilate! featured an eclectic mix of music, including four world premiere performances in Paul Mealor's Jubilate! Jubilee!, Evan Dawson's Island Race, Duncan Macleod's Asymptotos and a Tŷ Cerdd and Making Music Wales-commissioned brass band orchestration of Gareth Wood and Francesca Kay's education project Sea Dogs, which was narrated by the lyricist. Featured performers included soloists Colette Boushell (soprano), John Paul Ekins (pianist) and Megan Morris (harp), alongside some of Wales’ finest voluntary music groups, the Cory Band, Richard Williams Singers, Gentlemen Songsters, Abergavenny Borough Band and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, conducted by Craig, Paul Mealor, Owen Farr, Dominic Neville and Robin Osterley. The concert was recorded by BBC Radio 3.
The conference was a great success and huge thanks must be expressed to all the expert speakers, panellists, groups and musicians, exhibitors and sponsors, and of course the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama themselves, whose staff were exemplary; huge thanks also of course to all who attended.
Retrospective information on and from the conference can be found at the Making Music website here while a brochure for the event can also be downloaded here
London 2012
The London 2012 Olympic Games has been an amazing summer of sport for the whole of the UK, and the London 2012 Festival Cultural Olympiad has also resulted in some incredible cultural events. Craig has been fortunate to be at the heart of some of those incredible undertakings.
March 3 /4 saw Music Nation, an incredible UK wide celebration of music, supported by BBC Radio 3. In Wales this led to the Music Nation Cymru project, a full weekend of music making which saw collaboration across the nation, between the nation's leading musical partners, including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Welsh National Opera, Making Music Wales and more. Key events included the National Flash Mash, National Cymanfa Ganu and the BBC Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall, further information on all of which can be found at the Making Music Wales website here. Such was the success of Music Nation Cymru that the partnership has been retained, and it is very much the desire of all partners to repeat the event on the St David's Day weekend in 2013, and annually thereafter
March 3 /4 saw Music Nation, an incredible UK wide celebration of music, supported by BBC Radio 3. In Wales this led to the Music Nation Cymru project, a full weekend of music making which saw collaboration across the nation, between the nation's leading musical partners, including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Welsh National Opera, Making Music Wales and more. Key events included the National Flash Mash, National Cymanfa Ganu and the BBC Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall, further information on all of which can be found at the Making Music Wales website here. Such was the success of Music Nation Cymru that the partnership has been retained, and it is very much the desire of all partners to repeat the event on the St David's Day weekend in 2013, and annually thereafter
In May the Olympic Torch then made it's way across the country, entering Wales on Friday May 25. To mark the occasion Craig organised a duo of grand scale celebratory concerts, the first at Abergavenny Castle, featuring the excellent Jugendsinfonieorchester and Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass Ravensburg of Baden-Württemberg, Germany and Abergavenny Borough Band; and the second at Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf, featuring west end musical theatre star Peter Karrie, the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass Ravensburg, the Richard Williams Singers, Cor Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymer and Porth County Community School Choir. Both events were an incredible success and again will be repeated in 2013.
Finally in September 2012 Abergavenny Borough Band were successful in winning the UK wide Last Bandstanding competition to perform in the final performance of Festival 2012 at the Olympic Park, London. Competition adjudicator and leading orchestral conductor Charles Hazlewood said of the band, "Abergavenny Borough are a brass band as they should be - big sound, big heart, big round of applause". The band gave a tremendous performance at the Park, leading the nation in Craig and Thomas Hamill's arrangement of Coldplay's Viva La Vida, just hours before the performance by the group themselves. As a result of the success of the Olympic Park performance, just one week later Abergavenny were invited to perform for the homecoming ceremony of the Welsh Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Welsh Assembly Government Building, the Senedd, in the presence of First Minister Carwyn Jones, Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler and an assembled audience of more than 3000 people, national radio, press and television.
Viva La Vida! at the Olympic Park London, the final performance of the London 2012 Festival featuring Peter Karrie and Abergavenny Borough Band. Conductor: Craig Roberts
The Making Music Conference
This year the Making Music conference, the annual national conference for UK voluntary music, will be hosted in Wales, at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, on the weekend of September 15 & 16.
The theme of the conference is participation, and will see two days packed with a wide variety of music making and participatory theory and activities. Guest speakers include Prof. Paul Mealor, Rhian Hutchings (WNO), Zoe Smith (RWCMD), Suzanne Hay (BBC NOW) and many more.
The Saturday evening will also feature a grand scale concert in the splendid surroundings of the Dora Stouzker Hall. Featured artists include an ensemble from World and Welsh Brass Band Champions The Cory Band, the Richard Williams Singers and Gentlemen Songsters, Welsh League Brass Band Champions Abergavenny Borough Band and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society. The concert programme will include major works by Edward Gregson and Gareth Wood, and will also feature the premiere performances of works by Paul Mealor, Duncan MacLeod and Evan Dawson.
Booking is available now and full details of the conference and conference concert can be found at www.makingmusic.org.uk
The theme of the conference is participation, and will see two days packed with a wide variety of music making and participatory theory and activities. Guest speakers include Prof. Paul Mealor, Rhian Hutchings (WNO), Zoe Smith (RWCMD), Suzanne Hay (BBC NOW) and many more.
The Saturday evening will also feature a grand scale concert in the splendid surroundings of the Dora Stouzker Hall. Featured artists include an ensemble from World and Welsh Brass Band Champions The Cory Band, the Richard Williams Singers and Gentlemen Songsters, Welsh League Brass Band Champions Abergavenny Borough Band and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society. The concert programme will include major works by Edward Gregson and Gareth Wood, and will also feature the premiere performances of works by Paul Mealor, Duncan MacLeod and Evan Dawson.
Booking is available now and full details of the conference and conference concert can be found at www.makingmusic.org.uk
Making Music at the Eisteddfod
Making Music will be at the National Eisteddfod of Wales all week between August 4 and 11, together with Concert Masters International of Hungary on the Beirdd Cymru / Bards of Wales stand (#1027/1028) located opposite Door 1 of the main Eisteddfod Pavilion!
Pop in to visit us and learn more about Karl Jenkins' new work, the Hungarian connection and pick up a recording of the premiere performance. You can also learn more about Making Music and our support of the Beirdd Cymru project, our wider work across Wales and the rest of the UK, including our current projects and volunteering opportunities, and our forthcoming conference at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, September 15 / 16 www.makingmusic.org.uk/our-work/conference-2012
Pop in to visit us and learn more about Karl Jenkins' new work, the Hungarian connection and pick up a recording of the premiere performance. You can also learn more about Making Music and our support of the Beirdd Cymru project, our wider work across Wales and the rest of the UK, including our current projects and volunteering opportunities, and our forthcoming conference at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, September 15 / 16 www.makingmusic.org.uk/our-work/conference-2012
New Making Music Wales website!
The new Making Music Wales website is now live at www.makingmusic.org.uk/wales
Fully linked into the main UK website, the new Wales site boasts a host of new features and up to the minute information on all things music related in and around Wales
Take a tour now by clicking on the link to www.makingmusic.org.uk/wales
Fully linked into the main UK website, the new Wales site boasts a host of new features and up to the minute information on all things music related in and around Wales
Take a tour now by clicking on the link to www.makingmusic.org.uk/wales
A Summer of Major Events
Summer 2012 has literally started with a bang! Friday May 25 saw the first of Making Music Wales' Passing the Torch concerts which saw Craig lead current Joint Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band and the Jugendsinfonieorchester & Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass Ravensburg, together with their director Harald Hepner, through a grand scale open air concert in the superb setting of Abergavenny Castle.
The concert featured a varied selection of classical music, the first performance in Wales of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's Brass the Baton work "Going the Distance", and all culminated in a massed performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture accompanied by firework display.
Flaming Brass! was followed with a second grand scale event in Rhondda Cynon Taf, again featuring the Jugendsinfonieorchester & Symphonic Brass, but this time alongside the Richard Williams Singers, Cor Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymer, Porth County Community School Choir and musical theatre star Peter Karrie, in a gala concert attended by the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf Cllr Doug Williams at the Hawthorn Centre, Pontypridd.
The concert featured a varied selection of classical music, the first performance in Wales of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's Brass the Baton work "Going the Distance", and all culminated in a massed performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture accompanied by firework display.
Flaming Brass! was followed with a second grand scale event in Rhondda Cynon Taf, again featuring the Jugendsinfonieorchester & Symphonic Brass, but this time alongside the Richard Williams Singers, Cor Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymer, Porth County Community School Choir and musical theatre star Peter Karrie, in a gala concert attended by the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf Cllr Doug Williams at the Hawthorn Centre, Pontypridd.
Saturday June 2 then saw Symphonic Brass Wales take to the hallowed stage of the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff performing together with the 1000 voice WRU Massed Male Choir under the baton of Dr Haydn James, to a crowd of 57 022 for Wales vs The Barbarians.
This trio of events will now be followed with the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, for which Craig will again soon be heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 2012 Tattoo will feature some of the finest international performers from Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and United States of America. The full cast line-up, along with a promotional video for the show can be found here
After the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Craig will then head to Nurtingen, Germany where Symphonic Brass Wales will be performing alongside the Stadtkapelle Nurtingen in their annual Tattoo, which this year will also culminate in a massed 1812 overture with fireworks.
The summer will then come to a close with two more major events, the Bandstand Marathon on September 9 and the Making Music Conference at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama on September 15 / 16.
Further events in which Craig will be participating during the remainder of 2012 can be found in the Diary section of this site here
This trio of events will now be followed with the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, for which Craig will again soon be heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 2012 Tattoo will feature some of the finest international performers from Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and United States of America. The full cast line-up, along with a promotional video for the show can be found here
After the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Craig will then head to Nurtingen, Germany where Symphonic Brass Wales will be performing alongside the Stadtkapelle Nurtingen in their annual Tattoo, which this year will also culminate in a massed 1812 overture with fireworks.
The summer will then come to a close with two more major events, the Bandstand Marathon on September 9 and the Making Music Conference at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama on September 15 / 16.
Further events in which Craig will be participating during the remainder of 2012 can be found in the Diary section of this site here
Passing the Torch
Saturday May 26 will see the London 2012 Olympic Torch pass through Rhondda Cynon Taf. To mark the occasion a special gala concert will be presented at the Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Pontypridd. Featuring Symphonic Brass Wales, Cor Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymer, Porth County Community School Choir, The Richard Williams Singers the concert will star musical theatre legend, the world's longest serving Phantom, Peter Karrie.
Also performing will be guests from overseas the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass from Rhondda Cynon Taf's twin town of Ravensburg, Germany.
The concert promises to be a very special evening and will also feature the launch of Peter Karrie's fantastic new album Standing Alone
Tickets are available now from the Hawthorn Leisure Centre on 01443 843 406
For further information visit www.peterkarriestandingalone.com and download the flyer below
Also performing will be guests from overseas the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass from Rhondda Cynon Taf's twin town of Ravensburg, Germany.
The concert promises to be a very special evening and will also feature the launch of Peter Karrie's fantastic new album Standing Alone
Tickets are available now from the Hawthorn Leisure Centre on 01443 843 406
For further information visit www.peterkarriestandingalone.com and download the flyer below
| passing_the_torch_gala_concert.pdf |
Flaming Brass!
On Friday May 25 Welsh League Brass Band Champions Abergavenny Borough Band will play host to the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass of Ravensburg, Germany, performing with the two groups in a large scale outdoor concert held in the splendid grounds of Abergavenny Castle.
This special performance has been arranged to mark the passing of the London 2012 Olympic Torch through Abergavenny, following its arrival in Wales earlier that day.
The evening will feature a host of popular classical repertoire including Mozart's Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, Rossini's La Gazza Ladra, the March from Respighi's Pines of Rome and much more! The concert will then culminate in a massed performance - with fireworks - of Tchaikovsky's epic 1812 overture, also acknowledging the 1812 / 2012 bicentenary.
In an additional element Flaming Brass! will also feature one of the premiere performances of the BFBB Paul Lovatt-Cooper commission "Going the Distance", making the performance once of the concerts featured in the official cultural olympiad UK wide "Brass the Baton" relay.
Tickets for the performance are available from the Box Office of the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny on 01873 850805 Tickets are priced at £10 each (£8 concessions). A PDF of the poster / flyer for the event can be downloaded below
This special performance has been arranged to mark the passing of the London 2012 Olympic Torch through Abergavenny, following its arrival in Wales earlier that day.
The evening will feature a host of popular classical repertoire including Mozart's Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, Rossini's La Gazza Ladra, the March from Respighi's Pines of Rome and much more! The concert will then culminate in a massed performance - with fireworks - of Tchaikovsky's epic 1812 overture, also acknowledging the 1812 / 2012 bicentenary.
In an additional element Flaming Brass! will also feature one of the premiere performances of the BFBB Paul Lovatt-Cooper commission "Going the Distance", making the performance once of the concerts featured in the official cultural olympiad UK wide "Brass the Baton" relay.
Tickets for the performance are available from the Box Office of the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny on 01873 850805 Tickets are priced at £10 each (£8 concessions). A PDF of the poster / flyer for the event can be downloaded below
| flaming_brass.pdf |
SBW to feature at Wales v the Barbarians!
On Saturday June 2nd Symphonic Brass Wales will take to the hallowed ground of the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to provide the pre-match entertainment, accompanying the 500 voice male choir under the direction of Dr Haydn James, and performing the Welsh National Anthem to start the Wales versus the Barbarians match.
SBW is delighted to be involved in the event and support the national rugby team in their Grand Slam winning year.
Tickets for the match, along with further information, are available at www.millenniumstadium.com
SBW is delighted to be involved in the event and support the national rugby team in their Grand Slam winning year.
Tickets for the match, along with further information, are available at www.millenniumstadium.com
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2012
Following the music production meetings for the 2012 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, the list of countries participating in the 2012 Tattoo has been revealed with performers from Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America all featuring in the world's largest annual indoor show this summer, held between July 1 and 8 at the Halifax Metro Centre.
A full and details cast list wll be revealed at the forthcoming Tattoo media launch, which will be streamed live on the internet via the show's own website www.nstattoo.ca
Promotional videos for the 2012 RNSIT can now be found on the Tattoo's official youtube channel here
A full and details cast list wll be revealed at the forthcoming Tattoo media launch, which will be streamed live on the internet via the show's own website www.nstattoo.ca
Promotional videos for the 2012 RNSIT can now be found on the Tattoo's official youtube channel here
Llongyfarchiadau Band Pres Treherbert
Congratulations to all members of Treherbert & District Band following their victory in the second division of the recent SEWBBA championships held at Ebbw Vale on Saturday April 28.
Adjudicator Melvin White praised the band's performance of James Curnow's Brass Metamorphosis, placing them ahead of worthy rivals Goodwick Band from West Wales, and English entrants City of Bristol Band, who took second and third prizes respectively.
Further information on the band and its activities can be found at its own website www.treherbertband.weebly.com
Adjudicator Melvin White praised the band's performance of James Curnow's Brass Metamorphosis, placing them ahead of worthy rivals Goodwick Band from West Wales, and English entrants City of Bristol Band, who took second and third prizes respectively.
Further information on the band and its activities can be found at its own website www.treherbertband.weebly.com
IAML Conference
This Saturday Craig will be a guest speaker at the annual International Association of Music Libraries conference, held at Cardiff University.
An opportunity for IAML members to come together to share experiences, solutions and to develop professional strategies for the future, the conference is designed as a learning experience, helping IAML members to offer the best possible service to users in a world of diminishing resources.
Formal sessions will take place in the recently refurbished School of Music. A full programme of events for the weekend can be found here
An opportunity for IAML members to come together to share experiences, solutions and to develop professional strategies for the future, the conference is designed as a learning experience, helping IAML members to offer the best possible service to users in a world of diminishing resources.
Formal sessions will take place in the recently refurbished School of Music. A full programme of events for the weekend can be found here
Standing Alone
The Phantom is back! Following high profile international touring throughout 2011, musical theatre star Peter Karrie is now back and touring with his new show and album for 2012 "Standing Alone"
Twice voted "the world's favourite phantom" by the Worldwide Phantom Appreciation Society, Peter was recently acknowledged by The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh Organisation as the longest serving ‘Phantom’ of all time with over 2750 credited performances, as announced at the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Standing Alone features 16 newly recorded tracks, including five exciting new songs penned by Peter himself. An eclectic mix, Standing Alone is a reflection of Peter and his singular career, featuring musical theatre favourites, rock ballads, pop themes, traditional Welsh music and more.
Further information on the album plus soundbytes and details of Peter's touring performances can be found at www.peterkarriestandingalone.com
Twice voted "the world's favourite phantom" by the Worldwide Phantom Appreciation Society, Peter was recently acknowledged by The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh Organisation as the longest serving ‘Phantom’ of all time with over 2750 credited performances, as announced at the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Standing Alone features 16 newly recorded tracks, including five exciting new songs penned by Peter himself. An eclectic mix, Standing Alone is a reflection of Peter and his singular career, featuring musical theatre favourites, rock ballads, pop themes, traditional Welsh music and more.
Further information on the album plus soundbytes and details of Peter's touring performances can be found at www.peterkarriestandingalone.com
Rhondda Fach Gala Concert 2012
Craig will again be the compere / host the 2012 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert at the Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown on Friday April 27. The soloist for the 2012 event will be celebrated star soprano Shan Cothi.
Inaugurated in 2005 by promoter Cyril Jones and the Pontygwaith Regeneration Partnership & Stanleytown Action Group, the concert has raised over £8000 per annum for charitable causes, the recipients of which in 2012 will be pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf's charities for 2012, Viva Wales; RCT Crossroads; Rhondda Powerhouse Trust, Llwynypia; Mid Rhondda Operatic Society; GTFM Community Radio, Taff Ely; and Colstars Youth Theatre, Cynon Valley.
Further information on past on past and present Rhondda Fach Gala Concerts, along with details of how to obtain tickets for this year's event, can be found in the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert section of this site.
Inaugurated in 2005 by promoter Cyril Jones and the Pontygwaith Regeneration Partnership & Stanleytown Action Group, the concert has raised over £8000 per annum for charitable causes, the recipients of which in 2012 will be pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf's charities for 2012, Viva Wales; RCT Crossroads; Rhondda Powerhouse Trust, Llwynypia; Mid Rhondda Operatic Society; GTFM Community Radio, Taff Ely; and Colstars Youth Theatre, Cynon Valley.
Further information on past on past and present Rhondda Fach Gala Concerts, along with details of how to obtain tickets for this year's event, can be found in the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert section of this site.
The National Flash Mash!
As part of the Music Nation celebrations and Music Nation Cymru events, Saturday March 3 saw the National Flash Mash take place across Wales. Brainchild of WNO Max Director Rhian Hutchings, and led by Welsh National Opera the Flash Mash brought a medley of Welsh music, both traditional & modern - plus themes from The Marriage of Figaro - to town and city centres across the principality.
Singers and instrumentalists from across Wales gathered at Galeri, Caernarfon; Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham; Wales Millennium Centre & The Hayes, Cardiff; and numerous other sites, all striking up and surprising passers-by with flash mob style performances.
The material, expertly arranged by Welsh composers John Hardy and Benjamin Frank Vaughan, was made available via the WNO, Making Music Wales and Ty Cerdd websites and video of one of the resultant performances, at the Wales Millennium Centre, can be viewed below.
For further information on the National Flash Mash visit www.makingmusicwales.org.uk/national-flash-mash
Singers and instrumentalists from across Wales gathered at Galeri, Caernarfon; Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham; Wales Millennium Centre & The Hayes, Cardiff; and numerous other sites, all striking up and surprising passers-by with flash mob style performances.
The material, expertly arranged by Welsh composers John Hardy and Benjamin Frank Vaughan, was made available via the WNO, Making Music Wales and Ty Cerdd websites and video of one of the resultant performances, at the Wales Millennium Centre, can be viewed below.
For further information on the National Flash Mash visit www.makingmusicwales.org.uk/national-flash-mash
Get Involved in Music Nation Cymru!
The weekend of March 3/4 2012 will see events taking place across the whole of the UK under the banner of Music Nation.
Music Nation Cymru is a celebration of live music across Wales, and will bring together musicians of all levels, featuring music for and by young and old, with opportunities for everyone to join in. The weekend is built around two key participatory events held at noon each day.
Saturday March 3 sees the National Flash Mash, led by Welsh National Opera, bringing a medley of Welsh music, traditional and modern, plus themes from The Marriage of Figaro to a centre near you! BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also be hosting the Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall, where ensembles from across Wales will take over the home of BBC NOW for a day of FREE concert performances
Sunday March 4 features the National Cymanfa Ganu, led by Making Music Wales and Ty Cerdd, where musicians from across Wales can join our massed performance at the Wales Millennium Centre, or open your own doors to your local community and invite them to join you in music and song. Bring your instrument, music and stand to a participating venue - or start one of your own! - and be part of a pan-Wales simultaneous performance.
Additional events include free performances and more formal performances at a range of venues across Cardiff and further afield in Wales, including Cardigan, Newport, Wrexham, Mold, Llandudno and Caernarfon. Visit the Music Nation Cymru area of the Festival 2012 website for further details.
For further information and to get involved in the BBC's Music Nation, uniting orchestras, musical groups, choirs and concert halls all across the UK, visit www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
Music Nation Cymru is a celebration of live music across Wales, and will bring together musicians of all levels, featuring music for and by young and old, with opportunities for everyone to join in. The weekend is built around two key participatory events held at noon each day.
Saturday March 3 sees the National Flash Mash, led by Welsh National Opera, bringing a medley of Welsh music, traditional and modern, plus themes from The Marriage of Figaro to a centre near you! BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also be hosting the Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall, where ensembles from across Wales will take over the home of BBC NOW for a day of FREE concert performances
Sunday March 4 features the National Cymanfa Ganu, led by Making Music Wales and Ty Cerdd, where musicians from across Wales can join our massed performance at the Wales Millennium Centre, or open your own doors to your local community and invite them to join you in music and song. Bring your instrument, music and stand to a participating venue - or start one of your own! - and be part of a pan-Wales simultaneous performance.
Additional events include free performances and more formal performances at a range of venues across Cardiff and further afield in Wales, including Cardigan, Newport, Wrexham, Mold, Llandudno and Caernarfon. Visit the Music Nation Cymru area of the Festival 2012 website for further details.
For further information and to get involved in the BBC's Music Nation, uniting orchestras, musical groups, choirs and concert halls all across the UK, visit www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall
Saturday March 3
BBC Hoddinott Hall
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5AL
part of the BBC Hoddinott Hall 2011-12 series
On Saturday March 3, ensembles from across Wales will take over BBC Hoddinott Hall, the home of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, for a day of FREE concerts, as part of Music Nation – the UK-wide weekend of music-making, counting down to the London 2012 Festival.
One of those ensembles will be the joint Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band. Appearign together with Just Harrie, under the batons of Craig and former BBC NOW principal tuba Nigel Seaman, Abergavenny will present "Brass Tracks", an hour's insight into modern brass band repertoire, featuring the music of Wales, music from film, and a major work for band in the form of Bertrand Moren's "Mountain Views".
Abergavenny's performance at Hoddinott Hall will take place between 15:00 and 16:00. The full schedule of performances is as follows:
11:00 - 11.45 - Ensemble Cymru
13:00 - 14:00 - Welsh Sinfonia / National Youth Orchestra of Wales String Ensemble
15:00 - 16:00 - Brass Tracks with Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band & Just Harrie
16.30 - 17.15 - Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Brass Band
Entry to all events is FREE, and prior booking is not required.
For further information please call 0800 052 1812 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/983
Further information on Music Marathon and all Music Nation events can also be found at www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
Download the eflyer for Music Marathon here
BBC Hoddinott Hall
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5AL
part of the BBC Hoddinott Hall 2011-12 series
On Saturday March 3, ensembles from across Wales will take over BBC Hoddinott Hall, the home of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, for a day of FREE concerts, as part of Music Nation – the UK-wide weekend of music-making, counting down to the London 2012 Festival.
One of those ensembles will be the joint Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band. Appearign together with Just Harrie, under the batons of Craig and former BBC NOW principal tuba Nigel Seaman, Abergavenny will present "Brass Tracks", an hour's insight into modern brass band repertoire, featuring the music of Wales, music from film, and a major work for band in the form of Bertrand Moren's "Mountain Views".
Abergavenny's performance at Hoddinott Hall will take place between 15:00 and 16:00. The full schedule of performances is as follows:
11:00 - 11.45 - Ensemble Cymru
13:00 - 14:00 - Welsh Sinfonia / National Youth Orchestra of Wales String Ensemble
15:00 - 16:00 - Brass Tracks with Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band & Just Harrie
16.30 - 17.15 - Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Brass Band
Entry to all events is FREE, and prior booking is not required.
For further information please call 0800 052 1812 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/983
Further information on Music Marathon and all Music Nation events can also be found at www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
Download the eflyer for Music Marathon here
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Welsh League Champions feature in Gala Charity Concert
The Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough recently featured in a special gala charity concert alongside West End musical theatre star Katy Treharne and additional artists in February.
The concert was organised to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Hospice of the Valleys providing care in Blaenau Gwent, and played to a sell out capacity crowd at the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre, on Saturday February 11.
The concert was organised to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Hospice of the Valleys providing care in Blaenau Gwent, and played to a sell out capacity crowd at the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre, on Saturday February 11.
Katy Treharne
The concert, which also featured the superb massed male choirs of Abertillery, Beaufort, Cwm and Ebbw Vale and star young concert pianist Isata Kannah-Mason, was a great success and it is hoped that it will be repeated in the future.
The concert was the third occasion on which Craig has worked with Katy, having previously performed with her at the Burry Port Town Band Summer Concert and the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert, along with Katy's fellow West End star John Owen Jones, in 2009.
Further details of the performance can be accessed via the Abergavenny Borough Band website here
The concert was the third occasion on which Craig has worked with Katy, having previously performed with her at the Burry Port Town Band Summer Concert and the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert, along with Katy's fellow West End star John Owen Jones, in 2009.
Further details of the performance can be accessed via the Abergavenny Borough Band website here
Hwiangerdd recorded by Philharmonia Orchestra
In December, composer Andrew Powell visited the famous Abbey Road Studios, together with the
Philharmonia Orchestra and Welsh soprano Elin
Manahan Thomas, to record some of his recent compositions, which included the beautiful Hwiangerdd from Y Dyn Unig, the work commissioned from Andrew by Craig and the Burry Port Town Band in 2010.
Y Dyn Unig was written by Andrew together with the Welsh poet Menna Elfyn, and was the central element and inspiration for the exciting 2010/11 arts project The Red Lady of Paviland, which was premiered at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, in the presence of the composer and librettist, in April 2010.
The recording by the Philharmonia is due to be released in June. Additionally, there are plans for a concert, or series of concerts, in London next year with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew, featuring several of the works on the album, together with some classics by Mozart, Debussy and Prokofiev.
Further information on Andrew Powell and the Philharmonia album can be found at his website www.andrewpowell.com while further information on The Red Lady of Paviland and Y Dyn Unig can be found in their own section of this website here
Y Dyn Unig was written by Andrew together with the Welsh poet Menna Elfyn, and was the central element and inspiration for the exciting 2010/11 arts project The Red Lady of Paviland, which was premiered at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, in the presence of the composer and librettist, in April 2010.
The recording by the Philharmonia is due to be released in June. Additionally, there are plans for a concert, or series of concerts, in London next year with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew, featuring several of the works on the album, together with some classics by Mozart, Debussy and Prokofiev.
Further information on Andrew Powell and the Philharmonia album can be found at his website www.andrewpowell.com while further information on The Red Lady of Paviland and Y Dyn Unig can be found in their own section of this website here
Happy New Year!
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - a very Happy New Year to all!
2011 was a busy year for Craig, which had many highlights that included visits to Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland. Among these, particularly of note were the incredibly successful 2011 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the Mediterranean International Festival of Arts in Crete, Greece, and visiting and working with the incredible young musicians of the Kreisverbandsjugendblasorchester Ravensburg on their 2011 Jahreskonzert.
On the brass band front, 2011 saw the return of the Treherbert & District Band to contesting, and that was in fine fashion with the band claiming Runner Up spots at both the Welsh Regional Championships and South Wales Miner's Eisteddfod, and winning the third division of the National Eisteddfod of Wales in August. 2011 also saw Craig become Musical Director of the Abergavenny Borough Band who were also in fine form, winning the SEWBBA Championships in May and the overall Welsh League Championship in November (the third occasion Craig has won the title). Both bands now long forward to another successful year in 2012.
Craig's work with Making Music Wales also continues to go from strength to strength with their exciting new volunteering initiative, Music Nation Cymru, Bards of Wales, Bandstand Marathon and National Conference in Cardiff all launching in 2012. Further information on all of these can be found at the Making Music Wales website www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
2011 will also be remembered for Welsh bagpiping (who knew!), success with schools at both the Urdd National Eisteddfod and Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician of the year, plus the twinning visits of the Jugendblasorchester Ravensburg to Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the infamous visit to Disneyland Paris with Porth County Community School (#banmickey).
Craig now looks forward to 2012 and the various exciting projects that has in store which include Music Nation Cymru, the Making Music conference coming to Cardiff, the 2012 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the 1812 bicentennial performances, the launch of the Rasputin project and much more.
Further information on all of these, and additional projects for 2012 can be found in the projects section of this site. Here's to a happy and successful year in 2012 for all.
2011 was a busy year for Craig, which had many highlights that included visits to Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland. Among these, particularly of note were the incredibly successful 2011 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the Mediterranean International Festival of Arts in Crete, Greece, and visiting and working with the incredible young musicians of the Kreisverbandsjugendblasorchester Ravensburg on their 2011 Jahreskonzert.
On the brass band front, 2011 saw the return of the Treherbert & District Band to contesting, and that was in fine fashion with the band claiming Runner Up spots at both the Welsh Regional Championships and South Wales Miner's Eisteddfod, and winning the third division of the National Eisteddfod of Wales in August. 2011 also saw Craig become Musical Director of the Abergavenny Borough Band who were also in fine form, winning the SEWBBA Championships in May and the overall Welsh League Championship in November (the third occasion Craig has won the title). Both bands now long forward to another successful year in 2012.
Craig's work with Making Music Wales also continues to go from strength to strength with their exciting new volunteering initiative, Music Nation Cymru, Bards of Wales, Bandstand Marathon and National Conference in Cardiff all launching in 2012. Further information on all of these can be found at the Making Music Wales website www.makingmusicwales.org.uk
2011 will also be remembered for Welsh bagpiping (who knew!), success with schools at both the Urdd National Eisteddfod and Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician of the year, plus the twinning visits of the Jugendblasorchester Ravensburg to Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the infamous visit to Disneyland Paris with Porth County Community School (#banmickey).
Craig now looks forward to 2012 and the various exciting projects that has in store which include Music Nation Cymru, the Making Music conference coming to Cardiff, the 2012 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the 1812 bicentennial performances, the launch of the Rasputin project and much more.
Further information on all of these, and additional projects for 2012 can be found in the projects section of this site. Here's to a happy and successful year in 2012 for all.
Llongyfarchiadau / Congratulations Derek Holvey MBE!
2012 is of to a great start with hearty congratulations to cornetist, trumpeter, conductor and tutor
extraordinaire Derek Holvey on the award of his richly deserved MBE in
Her Majesty The Queen's 2012 New Year's Honours List.
Derek has been a leading musician and much admired musical director and educator in Rhondda Cynon Taf and South Wales for many years. A fine trumpet and cornet player, and longstanding member and Bandmaster of firstly the Parc & Dare and then Treherbert & District bands, Derek has also been tutor and inspiration to innumerable brass students across South Wales.
In his capacity as Principal Conductor of the Four Counties Orchestra, Rhondda Cynon Taf Youth Orchestra and Bridgend Wind Band, as well as longstanding adjudicator of the Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician and Singer of the Year, Derek has further been - and continues to be - a leading light to many more. An incredibly well deserved award - congratulations "Mr Holvey - MBE!"
Derek has been a leading musician and much admired musical director and educator in Rhondda Cynon Taf and South Wales for many years. A fine trumpet and cornet player, and longstanding member and Bandmaster of firstly the Parc & Dare and then Treherbert & District bands, Derek has also been tutor and inspiration to innumerable brass students across South Wales.
In his capacity as Principal Conductor of the Four Counties Orchestra, Rhondda Cynon Taf Youth Orchestra and Bridgend Wind Band, as well as longstanding adjudicator of the Treorchy Male Choir Young Musician and Singer of the Year, Derek has further been - and continues to be - a leading light to many more. An incredibly well deserved award - congratulations "Mr Holvey - MBE!"
Christmas No 1 for Mealor!
Llongyfarchiadau / congratulations to composer Dr. Paul Mealor, the composer behind the Military Wives' hit Christmas No 1 single Wherever You Are. The No 1 single caps a remarkable year for Paul, whose Ubi Caritas was specially selected by the HRH The Duchess of Cambridge for her wedding to HRH Prince William in April.
The Military Wives single was part of a dual success for Paul who also topped the classical chart with his album A Tender Light, the Christmas number one in the specialist album chart.
Speaking to the BBC, Paul said "It's been an unbelievable year. Last year if I'd have talked about some of the things I could have hoped for, even I could not have dreamed of this. It has been absolutely unbelievable".
Wherever You Are was originally written in the summer for the Military Wives choir to perform at the 2011 Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. The piece was based on the letters written by choristers who gave Paul access after Gareth Malone asked him to help when 100 wives and girlfriends of servicemen in Afghanistan were brought together for the BBC Two TV series, The Choir.
Further information on Paul and all of his music mentioned above, can be found at his website www.paulmealor.com and also in the composers / collaborators section of this site. The official youtube video for the Military Wives 'Wherever You Are' can be viewed below
The Military Wives single was part of a dual success for Paul who also topped the classical chart with his album A Tender Light, the Christmas number one in the specialist album chart.
Speaking to the BBC, Paul said "It's been an unbelievable year. Last year if I'd have talked about some of the things I could have hoped for, even I could not have dreamed of this. It has been absolutely unbelievable".
Wherever You Are was originally written in the summer for the Military Wives choir to perform at the 2011 Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. The piece was based on the letters written by choristers who gave Paul access after Gareth Malone asked him to help when 100 wives and girlfriends of servicemen in Afghanistan were brought together for the BBC Two TV series, The Choir.
Further information on Paul and all of his music mentioned above, can be found at his website www.paulmealor.com and also in the composers / collaborators section of this site. The official youtube video for the Military Wives 'Wherever You Are' can be viewed below