News
News on forthcoming projects and events in which Craig is currently involved can be found by scrolling down below. Additional news on artists and organisations Craig is currently working with can also be found at:
Camerata Wales www.cameratawales.com
Cory Academy www.tycory.com
David Childs www.davechilds.com
Grimethorpe Band www.grimethorpeband.com
Lewis-Merthyr Band www.lewismerthyrband.co.uk
North American Brass Band Summer School www.nabbss.com
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo www.nstattoo.ca
Symphonic Brass Wales www.symphonicbrasswales.com
Treherbert & District Band www.treherbertband.weebly.com
Welsh Proms Cymru www.welshproms.com
Previous news items can be found in the News Archive section of this site.
Camerata Wales www.cameratawales.com
Cory Academy www.tycory.com
David Childs www.davechilds.com
Grimethorpe Band www.grimethorpeband.com
Lewis-Merthyr Band www.lewismerthyrband.co.uk
North American Brass Band Summer School www.nabbss.com
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo www.nstattoo.ca
Symphonic Brass Wales www.symphonicbrasswales.com
Treherbert & District Band www.treherbertband.weebly.com
Welsh Proms Cymru www.welshproms.com
Previous news items can be found in the News Archive section of this site.
Success at WWBBA Championships
Craig was delighted to direct both Markham & District and Lewis-Merthyr Bands to success in the recent West Wales Brass Band Association Championships at the Memorial Hall, Burry Port. The bands were awarded First and Second Prize respectively in the First Division of the contest, which also saw Markham take its first contest win since 2008.
Full results of the championships were as folows:
Full results of the championships were as folows:
- Markham & District Band - Craig Roberts (Diadem of Gold)
- Lewis-Merthyr Band - Craig Roberts (Purcell Variations)
- Parc & Dare Band - Andrew Jones (Pageantry)
- City of Cardiff M2 - Robin Hackett (Oceans)
- Ammanford Silver - Glyn Davies (Fire In the Blood)
- RAF St. Athan - Alan Bourne (Les Preludes)
Playing For Wales
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On Saturday September 5th, Craig directed the Lewis-Merthyr Band in playing to their largest ever audience at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
Performing together with the 130 piece mixed WRU massed choir, under the baton of Dr Haydn James, the band performed a selection of popular favourites, including Sanctus, Rachie (i bob un sydd ffyddlon), We’ll Keep A Welcome, Calon Lan, Sospan Fach, Hey Jude, Speed Your Journey (Va Pensiero), Yma o Hyd, and - of course - Cwm Rhondda.
The band also performed the Italian and Welsh national anthems, to the accompaniment of flamethrowers, and the delight of the 52 981 fans in attendance.
Lewis-Merthyr thoroughly enjoyed its first appearance at the national stadium and hope to return again sometime soon. Some images of the band in performance at the stadium can be found at the Lewis-Merthyr website www.lewismerthyrband.weebly.com with some additional amateur footage of the match available on YouTube, via the below links.
To engage Lewis-Merthyr Band for your function, concert or event, please contact the band here
Performing together with the 130 piece mixed WRU massed choir, under the baton of Dr Haydn James, the band performed a selection of popular favourites, including Sanctus, Rachie (i bob un sydd ffyddlon), We’ll Keep A Welcome, Calon Lan, Sospan Fach, Hey Jude, Speed Your Journey (Va Pensiero), Yma o Hyd, and - of course - Cwm Rhondda.
The band also performed the Italian and Welsh national anthems, to the accompaniment of flamethrowers, and the delight of the 52 981 fans in attendance.
Lewis-Merthyr thoroughly enjoyed its first appearance at the national stadium and hope to return again sometime soon. Some images of the band in performance at the stadium can be found at the Lewis-Merthyr website www.lewismerthyrband.weebly.com with some additional amateur footage of the match available on YouTube, via the below links.
To engage Lewis-Merthyr Band for your function, concert or event, please contact the band here
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Return to Rhondda
From mid-August Craig will make a welcome return to Rhondda Cynon Taf where he will take up the position of Musical Director with the Lewis-Merthyr Band with immediate effect.
Speaking of the appointment, Craig stated:
"Lewis-Merthyr was the first band I competed with as a player, a period I enjoyed very much, and it's a delight to now return to the band, 20 years on, as conductor.
The band has a rich & illustrious history, and I look forward, together with the band members and management, to building the band's profile on both the concert & contest stage, within the local community and beyond".
Craig's tenure at Lewis-Merthyr will begin immediately following his return from Australia where he will be touring for the next two weeks with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Speaking of Craig's appointment, Lewis-Merthyr Chairman, Paul Williams stated: "It's a delight for the band to able to secure the services of a conductor of Craig's stature. We already have some very exciting plans in the pipeline which we look forward to seeing realised over the coming months".
Further information on the Lewis-Merthyr Band and its activities can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.co.uk
Speaking of the appointment, Craig stated:
"Lewis-Merthyr was the first band I competed with as a player, a period I enjoyed very much, and it's a delight to now return to the band, 20 years on, as conductor.
The band has a rich & illustrious history, and I look forward, together with the band members and management, to building the band's profile on both the concert & contest stage, within the local community and beyond".
Craig's tenure at Lewis-Merthyr will begin immediately following his return from Australia where he will be touring for the next two weeks with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Speaking of Craig's appointment, Lewis-Merthyr Chairman, Paul Williams stated: "It's a delight for the band to able to secure the services of a conductor of Craig's stature. We already have some very exciting plans in the pipeline which we look forward to seeing realised over the coming months".
Further information on the Lewis-Merthyr Band and its activities can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.co.uk
Welsh Proms 30th anniversary season announced
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2015 sees the 30th anniversary season of the Welsh Proms Cymru, Wales' national classical music festival.
The 2015 Welsh Proms will take place 18 to 25 July, and feature five grand scale concerts led by Artistic Director Owain Arwel Hughes CBE. Featured artists include the Philharmonia Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Cory Band & Massed Male Choir, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the inestimable, incomparable Last Night of the Welsh Proms. Soloists John Lill CBE, David Childs and Angharad Morgan & David Fortey will all feature together with the world premiere performances of new works by composers Paul Mealor and Johan De Meij. Full information on the 30th anniversary season of Welsh Proms Cymru can be found at the Proms' new website www.welshproms.com while tickets for all events are now on sale from Welsh Proms venue St David's Hall, Cardiff on 02920 878 444 and online via www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk CLASSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA! Saturday July 18th, 7:30pm The Philharmonia Orchestra MASTERPIECES Tuesday July 21st, 7:30pm Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Soloist: John Lill CBE, piano BRASS & VOICES Wednesday July 22nd, 7:30pm The Cory Band & Massed Male Choir A NIGHT IN VIENNA Friday July 24, 7:30pm Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists: Angharad Morgan, soprano & David Fortey, tenor LAST NIGHT OF THE WELSH PROMS Saturday July 25th, 7:30pm Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra David Childs, euphonium |
Bond of Friendship: Musikkapelle Thanheim
On the weekend of Thursday May 28th to Monday June 1, Craig was delighted to welcome the Musikkapelle Thanheim of Germany to South Wales. The 60 piece wind orchestra is one of the longest established in Germany and will celebrate their 255th anniversary next year.
The orchestra arrived on Thursday afternoon, taking in first a brief tour of Cardiff Bay before then travelling to a rehearsal of the famous Cory Band in nearby Rhondda Cynon Taf. On Friday the Musikkapelle then visited Cardiff Castle and the Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagan's, before then undertaking a joint rehearsal and social evening with the Abergavenny Borough Band.
Saturday saw the Musikappelle visit Big Pit national mining museum before then undertaking an outdoor performance at the Library Square, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in conjunction with Rhondda Cynon Taf Twinning Association. The weekend culminated in a visit to Mumbles, Swansea on Sunday May 31st, before then combining in concert with Abergavenny Borough at Bedwellty Park, Tredegar. The concert featured over 90 musicians with the two ensembles each performed a selection of solo items before combining in a set of massed British and German music that included Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra", Major Denis Burton's "On Parade", "Nimrod" from Elgar's Enigma Variations, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and John Mackenzie-Rogan's "Bond of Friendship".
Craig now looks forward to welcoming further German guests to Wales this autumn when the Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg and Harald Hepner return to South Wales in November. Further information on the visit can be found in the diary section of this website here. Additional information on the Musikkapelle Thanheim can be found below.
The orchestra arrived on Thursday afternoon, taking in first a brief tour of Cardiff Bay before then travelling to a rehearsal of the famous Cory Band in nearby Rhondda Cynon Taf. On Friday the Musikkapelle then visited Cardiff Castle and the Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagan's, before then undertaking a joint rehearsal and social evening with the Abergavenny Borough Band.
Saturday saw the Musikappelle visit Big Pit national mining museum before then undertaking an outdoor performance at the Library Square, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in conjunction with Rhondda Cynon Taf Twinning Association. The weekend culminated in a visit to Mumbles, Swansea on Sunday May 31st, before then combining in concert with Abergavenny Borough at Bedwellty Park, Tredegar. The concert featured over 90 musicians with the two ensembles each performed a selection of solo items before combining in a set of massed British and German music that included Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra", Major Denis Burton's "On Parade", "Nimrod" from Elgar's Enigma Variations, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and John Mackenzie-Rogan's "Bond of Friendship".
Craig now looks forward to welcoming further German guests to Wales this autumn when the Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg and Harald Hepner return to South Wales in November. Further information on the visit can be found in the diary section of this website here. Additional information on the Musikkapelle Thanheim can be found below.
Musikkapelle Thanheim
Thanheim is one of the oldest and well known traditional wind orchestras in Southern Germany. In this small village, at the foot of the magnificent Castle Hohenzollern, people have made music since 1791.
Fidel Dehner is listed in the records as the first conductor of the orchestra. He first founded the string quartet, which then later expanded to include a harp, which was played by his daughter Ava, and his sons, Johann and Friedrich, and other musicians then also joined the band.
The musicians toured throughout the south of Germany to earn a living. The Catholic Church would not support the tours at all, deeming the musicians who took part in them as "godless".
In 1830, the first wind band music ensemble was founded by Karl Buckenmaier. Their musical tours were recorded in a book between 1845 and 1853. The band played in guest houses across the south of Germany as well as in Switzerland.
In 1855 court musician Sebastian Dehner, son of Fidel Dehner, established brass music. After his death in 1867, his son Felix Dehner took over successfully, and the band gave concerts to King Ludwig II at Hohenschwangau, to Joseph Strauss - the younger brother of Johann Strauss - in Vienna, and to Richard Wagner in Lucerne, Switzerland.
In 1927 the wind band was classified as ‘entry level’ by competition judges and competed in the intermediate level in the same year. Then, in 1968, they competed in the upper level for first time, before being promoted to the master level, the highest rank, where they have remained successfully until present day.
Even in the present day, the symphonic wind band is still touring, however these days those tours aren’t undertaken any longer with the intention of providing a living for those who participate, instead their new goal is to connect with different nations and cultures.
Between 1966 and 1981 they toured Wolf/Mosel, Brie-Comte-Robert/Frankreich, Burgsteinfurt/Westfalen and Eersel/Netherlands (twice). They reached their biggest international success in 1983 at the "Prager Frühling" in Brünn/Czech Republic, when they won first prize at the 3rd International Folk Music Competition in the master level, with Dr. Paul Münch as their conductor. Following this they toured Israel (1984), "Military Tattoo" Reading/England (1986), Calella/Spain (1988 and 1996), Budapest/Hungary (1993), Semeljci/Croatia (2010) and Vienna/Austria (2013). Their most recent tour to Wales is another milestone in the history of the concert band.
Besides the many events the band attends and performs in, the Musikkapelle Thanheim has also produced several recordings and regularly performs on radio and television broadcasts.
Thanheim is one of the oldest and well known traditional wind orchestras in Southern Germany. In this small village, at the foot of the magnificent Castle Hohenzollern, people have made music since 1791.
Fidel Dehner is listed in the records as the first conductor of the orchestra. He first founded the string quartet, which then later expanded to include a harp, which was played by his daughter Ava, and his sons, Johann and Friedrich, and other musicians then also joined the band.
The musicians toured throughout the south of Germany to earn a living. The Catholic Church would not support the tours at all, deeming the musicians who took part in them as "godless".
In 1830, the first wind band music ensemble was founded by Karl Buckenmaier. Their musical tours were recorded in a book between 1845 and 1853. The band played in guest houses across the south of Germany as well as in Switzerland.
In 1855 court musician Sebastian Dehner, son of Fidel Dehner, established brass music. After his death in 1867, his son Felix Dehner took over successfully, and the band gave concerts to King Ludwig II at Hohenschwangau, to Joseph Strauss - the younger brother of Johann Strauss - in Vienna, and to Richard Wagner in Lucerne, Switzerland.
In 1927 the wind band was classified as ‘entry level’ by competition judges and competed in the intermediate level in the same year. Then, in 1968, they competed in the upper level for first time, before being promoted to the master level, the highest rank, where they have remained successfully until present day.
Even in the present day, the symphonic wind band is still touring, however these days those tours aren’t undertaken any longer with the intention of providing a living for those who participate, instead their new goal is to connect with different nations and cultures.
Between 1966 and 1981 they toured Wolf/Mosel, Brie-Comte-Robert/Frankreich, Burgsteinfurt/Westfalen and Eersel/Netherlands (twice). They reached their biggest international success in 1983 at the "Prager Frühling" in Brünn/Czech Republic, when they won first prize at the 3rd International Folk Music Competition in the master level, with Dr. Paul Münch as their conductor. Following this they toured Israel (1984), "Military Tattoo" Reading/England (1986), Calella/Spain (1988 and 1996), Budapest/Hungary (1993), Semeljci/Croatia (2010) and Vienna/Austria (2013). Their most recent tour to Wales is another milestone in the history of the concert band.
Besides the many events the band attends and performs in, the Musikkapelle Thanheim has also produced several recordings and regularly performs on radio and television broadcasts.
Grimethorpe Colliery to go Down Under again!
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In August Craig will be heading to Australia with the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band visiting 9 cities on a 10 concert tour departing the UK on August 3rd and returning on August 17th.
Speaking about the tour, Grimethorpe Colliery Principal Conductor and Director of Music Dr Robert Childs said, "I’m really looking forward to this tour. I played euphonium on Grimethorpe’s first tour way back in 1980; returning to Australia as the band’s conductor this summer is a dream come true. We will be performing to approximately 16,000 people in concert halls the length and breadth of country". Through the tour Grimethorpe will feature their winning "Brass In Concert" programme as well as classical favourites, film soundtracks and original music for band. Dan Price and Paul Lovatt Cooper are both writing brand new works especially for the tour. |
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Grimethorpe have been invited to Australia by Andrew Kay & Associates Pty Ltd. Andrew Kay is an international theatrical producer and concert promoter whose offices are based in Melbourne. Andrew has over 30 years’ experience touring attractions and theatre groups which have included Dr Who, Mnozil Brass, Wynton Marsalis, Yehudi Menuhin and more.
Speaking about the tour, Andrew stated, "Grimethorpe Colliery Band are the most famous Brass Band in the World! I’m delighted that Bob Childs and the Band have accepted my invitation to tour our wonderful country. The Band were a sell out when they came to Australia in 2011 and we are hoping for the same success this year. Bob’s programme for the tour looks great!"
During their 2 week whistle-stop tour Grimethorpe will perform in Concert Hall QPAC Brisbane, State Theatre Sydney, Llewellyn Hall Canberra, Newcastle Town Hall Newcastle, Hamer Hall Melbourne, Frankston Arts Centre Frankston, Wrest Point Hobart, Robert Blackwood Hall Monash, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide and Perth Concert Hall Perth. Tickets for these events are now on sale.
Further information on the band and the tour - including full ticketing information - can be found at the Grimethorpe Colliery Band website www.grimethorpeband.com
Craig is delighted to again be working with Dr Childs and Grimethorpe, and in association with Andrew Kay & Associates Pty Ltd, on the tour.
Speaking about the tour, Andrew stated, "Grimethorpe Colliery Band are the most famous Brass Band in the World! I’m delighted that Bob Childs and the Band have accepted my invitation to tour our wonderful country. The Band were a sell out when they came to Australia in 2011 and we are hoping for the same success this year. Bob’s programme for the tour looks great!"
During their 2 week whistle-stop tour Grimethorpe will perform in Concert Hall QPAC Brisbane, State Theatre Sydney, Llewellyn Hall Canberra, Newcastle Town Hall Newcastle, Hamer Hall Melbourne, Frankston Arts Centre Frankston, Wrest Point Hobart, Robert Blackwood Hall Monash, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide and Perth Concert Hall Perth. Tickets for these events are now on sale.
Further information on the band and the tour - including full ticketing information - can be found at the Grimethorpe Colliery Band website www.grimethorpeband.com
Craig is delighted to again be working with Dr Childs and Grimethorpe, and in association with Andrew Kay & Associates Pty Ltd, on the tour.
Internationales Ravensburger Classic Camp
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April 5 to 12 Craig was again in Baden-Wuttemberg, Germany working with the second "Internationales Classic Camp" hosted in the town of Ravensburg.
A frequent visiting conductor of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg, on this occasion Craig worked with youth music groups from the UK, Croatia, Spain, Italy and Germany itself together with longstanding friend and colleague Harald Hepner, Director of the Musikschule Ravensburg. Following a full week of rehearsals and social activities, the massed international choir and orchestra of more than 200 young people presented a grand scale performance of Frigyes Hidas' "Requiem". The work was presented as a tribute to the fallen of all nations in this end of WWII 70th anniversary year. Regions and nations represented at the Classic Camp were Varazdin, Croatia; Ravesnburg, Germany; Rivoli, Italy; El Paso, La Palma, Spain; and Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, UK. |
An article on Craig's participation in the Classic Camp can be found at the brass new website 4barsrest.com here
U.S. Bands on fine form at Mid Atlantic Festival
Craig recently enjoyed an incredibly successful weekend as a guest clinician of the Mid Atlantic Brass Festival at Rowan University in the United States. Working together with Ron Waiksnoris and Gordon Ward of the incredible New York Staff Band, the three acted as adjudicators, coaches and lectured to the delegates present throughout a packed weekend of rehearsals, workshops and performances. Further information on MABBF can be found at the Festival website www.midatlanticbrassbandfestival.com with additional images and commentary available via the MABBF Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Huge thanks to all at Atlantic Brass Band for their incredibly warm welcome and the tremendous work they undertake annually in developing the brass band as a medium in North America via this event
Huge thanks to all at Atlantic Brass Band for their incredibly warm welcome and the tremendous work they undertake annually in developing the brass band as a medium in North America via this event
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NABBSS 2015 Registration
Registration for the 2015 North American Brass Band Summer School is filling up fast! To ensure your place at this summer's all star summer school with Grimethorpe Colliery Band Principal Conductor Dr Robert Childs, international star soloist David Childs, Cory Principal Cornet Tom Hutchinson and more, visit www.nabbss.com
Grimethorpe Colliery Band Concert in Wales!
Brassed Off stars and "kings of entertainment" Grimethorpe Colliery Band will be appearing in concert on Saturday June 13th at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre in a concert promoted by Abergavenny Borough Band
The world's most famous brass band will be appearing under the baton of their principal conductor and musical director Dr Robert Childs in their sole South Wales date for 2015
Tickets for the performance are £15 and available via Ticketsource at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/grimethorpeinwales
Tickets and additional information are also available from Abergavenny Band direct by telephone on 07716 916 020 or via email at [email protected]
Further information on the event can be found at www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
For further information on Grimethorpe Colliery Band itself, visit the band's new website at www.grimethorpecollieryband.weebly.com
The world's most famous brass band will be appearing under the baton of their principal conductor and musical director Dr Robert Childs in their sole South Wales date for 2015
Tickets for the performance are £15 and available via Ticketsource at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/grimethorpeinwales
Tickets and additional information are also available from Abergavenny Band direct by telephone on 07716 916 020 or via email at [email protected]
Further information on the event can be found at www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
For further information on Grimethorpe Colliery Band itself, visit the band's new website at www.grimethorpecollieryband.weebly.com
Mid Atlantic Brass Band Festival
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February 19 to 24, Craig will be heading to the United States to adjudicate, coach and lecture at the Mid Atlantic Brass Band Festival at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey.
At the Festival Craig will be working together with New York Staff Band conductor Ron Waiksnoris and other visiting professionals, as well as leading an open massed rehearsal of new repertoire by publisher Prima Vista Musikk. |
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The Mid Atlantic Festival will see numerous performances of the forthcoming NABBA Championships set test, ‘Spiriti’ by Thomas Doss, plus additional own choice works, together with a youth element and concert performance by the New York Staff Band.
Further information on the Mid Atlantic Festival can be found at the event website
www.midatlanticbrassbandfestival.com while information on this summer's North American Brass Band Summer School can be found at: www.nabbss.com
An article on the appearance can be found at popular brass news website 4barsrest.com here
Further information on the Mid Atlantic Festival can be found at the event website
www.midatlanticbrassbandfestival.com while information on this summer's North American Brass Band Summer School can be found at: www.nabbss.com
An article on the appearance can be found at popular brass news website 4barsrest.com here
Passion Sunday at Llandaff Cathedral
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On Sunday March 22, renowned Welsh conductor Owain Arwel Hughes CBE will direct Camerata Wales, together with Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society and soloists of the Wales International Academy of Voice, in a performance of the glorious J.S. Bach St Passion.
The concert is part of a series of performances by the Welsh maestro in support of the churches & chapels of Wales, and takes place with the full support of The Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Llandaff, The Most Revd Dr. Barry Cennydd Morgan and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Wales International Academy of Voice The performance of St John Passion will take place at 6:00pm. Tickets are available via ticketsource and from Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society direct Further information on the event and additional activities of Camerata Wales be found at www.cameratawales.com Further information on Owain Arwel Hughes can be found at www.owainarwelhughes.co.uk |
Camerata Wales celebrate 10th anniversary at Bangor Cathedral
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Friday January 16
Penblwyddi / Anniversaries Bangor Cathedral Conductor: Owain Arwel Hughes Soloist: David Childs, euphonium Narrator: Will Thomas |
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In the final performance of their "Penblwyddi / Anniversaries" series, Owain Arwel Hughes and Camerata Wales again celebrated the music of Wales in a programme featuring works by Karl Jenkins, Paul Mealor and two major new orchestral pieces dedicated to Wales' best-loved bard, Dylan Thomas.
Featuring some of Wales' finest orchestral instrumentalists, under the baton of the legendary Owain Arwel Hughes, the performance also featured international euphonium soloist David Childs and narrator, Will Thomas.
The performance saw the premiere performance of Christopher Painter's new orchestration of Alun Hoddinott's "Sonata for Euphonium" written for and dedicated to David Childs, and the premiere of Camerata Composer-In-Residence Gareth Wood's "Fanfare For Owain". The full programme can be found below.
Programme:
Gareth Wood: Fanfare For Owain
world premiere performance
William Mathias: Prelude, Aria & Finale
Karl Jenkins: "Romanza" from Concerto for Euphonium
Soloist: David Childs
Mark Thomas - What Has Become Of Him Now?
Narrator: Will Thomas
Interval
Paul Mealor: A Welsh Prayer
Alun Hoddinott (orch. Christopher Painter): Sonata
Soloist: David Childs
world premiere performance
Gareth Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite: "Rum & Laverbread"
Narrator: Will Thomas
Further information on the performance and the wider Anniversaries project is available from the Camerata Wales website here
Featuring some of Wales' finest orchestral instrumentalists, under the baton of the legendary Owain Arwel Hughes, the performance also featured international euphonium soloist David Childs and narrator, Will Thomas.
The performance saw the premiere performance of Christopher Painter's new orchestration of Alun Hoddinott's "Sonata for Euphonium" written for and dedicated to David Childs, and the premiere of Camerata Composer-In-Residence Gareth Wood's "Fanfare For Owain". The full programme can be found below.
Programme:
Gareth Wood: Fanfare For Owain
world premiere performance
William Mathias: Prelude, Aria & Finale
Karl Jenkins: "Romanza" from Concerto for Euphonium
Soloist: David Childs
Mark Thomas - What Has Become Of Him Now?
Narrator: Will Thomas
Interval
Paul Mealor: A Welsh Prayer
Alun Hoddinott (orch. Christopher Painter): Sonata
Soloist: David Childs
world premiere performance
Gareth Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite: "Rum & Laverbread"
Narrator: Will Thomas
Further information on the performance and the wider Anniversaries project is available from the Camerata Wales website here
Concert Review: Festliche Konzert 2014
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Below can be found a review of the Festliche Konzert 2014, held at the magnificent Ravensburg Konzerthaus on Sunday 14 December 2014.
The performance featured the 70 strong Stadtorchester Ravensburg together with international euphonium soloist David Childs, conductor Harald Hepner and guest conductor Craig Roberts. The review, by Dorothy L. Schafer, was originally published, in German, in the Swabische Zeitung on Tuesday 16 December. |
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"The concert of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg with its 69 musicians offered a great variety of music in the completely sold out Konzerthaus Festliche Konzert.
Craig Roberts began with the Egmont Overture by Ludwig Van Beethoven. The invited conductor from Wales guided the orchestra precisely and confidently throughout. The following Konzertstück by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy then, with the excellent soloists Gabriele Widmann and Hannah Lea Ahlbrecht, also impressed greatly. Craig Roberts once again exhibited very structured and confident direction to the orchestra and expert guidance to the two clarinet players. Both clarinets have equal parts in the piece. First one takes the leading part, then the other, they are in a constant dialogue and this sounded so round and complete that it’s only after a few minutes from the opening that the audience realise the accompanying orchestra is reduced to just the clarinets, two flutes and bassoons. The third piece in the concert was conducted by Harald Hepner who was also the man responsible for the evening: The Rosenkavalier-Suite by Richard Strauss. Now all the instruments on stage came in use plus four percussionists, xylophone and harp. A tremendous piece of music, very well played, and especially the waltz turned out perfectly: in the reprise ironically broken. A wonderful oboe solo, and in spite of all the big sounds - and tremendous tam tam in the final part - the music stayed always clearly structured. The second part began with the also-Welsh David Childs and his euphonium. Childs conquered the audience immediately: warm, full, soft, vibrating, singing sounds, bubbling tones. Amazing how well and sensibly the orchestra followed the soloist through the four very different movements of the Euphonium concerto by Karl Jenkins, even more so knowing that there was only one day of rehearsal with David prior. He has an incredible sound, sometimes like coloratura of an opera singer, with a breathtaking capacity to modulate. This young and charming virtuoso could probably play anything and make it sound perfect, but this wonderful composition just showed the euphonium at its best. The following “Shakespeare Pictures” by Nigel Hess finished the programme, again directed by Craig Roberts with a light, easy and very vivid touch throughout. Every movement describes a Shakespearen theme and almost all instruments were featured. And of course the audience got its “encore”: The listeners celebrated again David Childs who performed once more the second movement of the Euphonium Concerto after which the Stadtorchester played a festive medley to close. A fully packed house, the audience enthusiastic, with enormous applause: this was as good as it gets, better is not possible." Further information on the Stadtorchester Ravensburg and their activities can be found at their own website www.stadtorchester-ravensburg.de |
Stadtorchester Ravensburg: Festliche Konzert 2014
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On December 12-15 Craig will once again travel to Ravensburg in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany to guest conduct the Stadtorchester Ravensburg.
Craig will direct the orchestra in an eclectic selection of works by German composers Ludwig Van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and British composer Nigel Hess. A feature of the concert will be the appearance of guest soloist, international euphonium virtuoso, David Childs. David will perform the Karl Jenkins' Concerto For Euphonium, as well as undertake a workshop with musicians from throughout the region. Further information on the concert can be found at the website of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg here Discussions are already taking place for additional events in both Germany and the United Kingdom in 2015, further information on which will be posted here in due course. Craig's full diary for 2015 can be found here |
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Kings of Entertainment
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Grimethorpe Colliery Band are the newly crowned Brass In Concert Champions! For a record breaking 16th time, Grimethorpe once again took top honours at the premier annual entertainment championships,fending off rivals from across the UK and beyond, under the direction of Dr Robert Childs.
Craig was delighted to collaborate with Dr Childs and Grimethorpe on the technical side of their First World War centenary themed programme "Lest We Forget". The victory saw Grimethorpe secure an eleven point win over their nearest rivals, plus additional awards for Best Programme Content, Quality of Performance, Winning MD and the John Fletcher Award for Best Bass section. A detailed report on the event can be found at popular brass band news site 4barsrest.com here Further information on Grimethorpe can be found at their official website www.grimethorpeband.com |
Camerata Wales to feature in major London DT 100 event
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Throughout 2014, Wales is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of our most famous poet, Dylan Marlais Thomas.
On Sunday October 26, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE and Camerata Wales will be featured in a star studded celebration at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. |
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A celebration in music and poetry marking 100 years since the birth of Wales' preeminent poet, "Dylan Thomas In Fitzrovia" will be presented on the eve of Dylan's centennial birthday, Sunday October 26. The performance will feature Camerata Wales in world premiere performances of three new works dedicated to Wales' best loved bard, together with readings by a host of stars of stage and screen, to include Griff Rhys Jones, Robert Bathurst, Tom Hollander, Lesley Manville, John Owen Jones, Sian Phillips CBE, Jonathan Pryce CBE and Owen Teale.
Tickets are available from the QEH Box Office on 0844 875 0073 or purchase tickets online here |
Sunday October 26
Dylan Thomas In Fitzrovia
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Programme to include:
Kane - Fanfare for Fitzrovia (world premiere)
Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite (world premiere)
Thomas - What Has Become Of Him Now (world premiere)
Dylan Thomas In Fitzrovia
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Programme to include:
Kane - Fanfare for Fitzrovia (world premiere)
Wood - Under Milk Wood Suite (world premiere)
Thomas - What Has Become Of Him Now (world premiere)
Festliche Konzert Ravensburg 2014
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In December of this year Craig will feature as guest conductor in the annual Festliche Konzert of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg at the magnificent Konzert Haus, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Repertoire Craig will conduct includes Overture: Egmont (Beethoven); Konzertstück No. 2 for 2 Clarinets (Mendelssohn) and Shakespeare Pictures (Hess). The concert will also feature international euphonium soloist David Childs, who will perform the Concerto for Euphonium by Welsh Composer Karl Jenkins |
Further information on the performance and programme can be found at the website of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg here
Success for NABBSS
The inaugural North American Brass Band Summer School took place this summer in Halifax, Canada in conjunction with the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Led by Dr. Robert Childs, the first NABBSS course was an incredible success with c.50 delegates receiving top flight tuition from Dr Childs, Dr. Roger Webster, Helen Harrelson, David Childs, David Martin, Dan Perantoni & James Foster.
The NABBSS delegates also performed to over 60 000 people as part of the cast of the world's largest annual indoor show, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, together with the rest of the cast of c.2000 performers from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Further information on the course, including images and delegate testimonials from NABBSS 2014, plus registration information for NABBSS 2015 can be found at www.nabbss.com
The NABBSS delegates also performed to over 60 000 people as part of the cast of the world's largest annual indoor show, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, together with the rest of the cast of c.2000 performers from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Further information on the course, including images and delegate testimonials from NABBSS 2014, plus registration information for NABBSS 2015 can be found at www.nabbss.com
The 2014 North American Brass Band Summer School Band with the National Ceremonial Troop of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the 2014 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
NYOGB Mark Last Post
At the invitation of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Superact's First World War Centenary initiative The Last Post project joined forces with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYOGB) to represent the UK at an international event marking the last day of peace in 1914, 27 July.
On July 27th, 100 years on, remembrance music was performed around the world as a symbolic act of commemoration, beginning in Italy with a lone trumpeter playing ‘Silenzio’ (Last Post equivalent). Other countries taking part included the USA, South Africa, France, Albania, Hungary, Portugal and Greece.
In the UK, the NYOGB’s brass ensemble performed the ‘Last Post’ in a special arrangement combining the poignant music of this final salute with the moving hymn ‘Abide with Me’ at the Library of Birmingham on Sunday 27 July at 3pm. You can watch the performance below:
On July 27th, 100 years on, remembrance music was performed around the world as a symbolic act of commemoration, beginning in Italy with a lone trumpeter playing ‘Silenzio’ (Last Post equivalent). Other countries taking part included the USA, South Africa, France, Albania, Hungary, Portugal and Greece.
In the UK, the NYOGB’s brass ensemble performed the ‘Last Post’ in a special arrangement combining the poignant music of this final salute with the moving hymn ‘Abide with Me’ at the Library of Birmingham on Sunday 27 July at 3pm. You can watch the performance below:
The five-strong ensemble of trumpet, horns, tuba and cornet is drawn from the 165 members of NYOGB – one of the world’s foremost youth orchestras –and included the BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist and BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner, Matilda Lloyd.
Organised by arts not-for-profit Superact, The Last Post project invites communities to research and discover their own First World War stories. The stories are then shared and marked at commemorative events during the Last Post fortnight, 4-18 November and at each event, the Last Post will be played in tribute on a variety of instruments as selected by the community.
Virginia Crompton, Executive Producer, The Last Post project, said:
“The Last Post project will help local communities explore and understand their First World War stories through music, a powerful and accessible vehicle for Remembrance. It was an honour for The Last Post project to have represented the UK with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and all of us at Superact feel privileged that one of the project’s first live performances was part of this international commemoration.”
The performance by the NYOGB was one of the first Last Post performances as most will take place during the Last Post fortnight. It is also the first public event of NYOGB’s summer residency in Birmingham.
Sarah Alexander, Director of National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, said:
“As Britain’s only truly national orchestra it was wonderful to represent the UK in this international commemoration of the last day of peace 100 years on and a great privilege to be invited. We were proud too to be helping launch The Last Post project and hope many other musicians - regardless of backgrounds, instruments or level, will have the chance to remember WW1 with this touching music.”
The NYOGB elected to play The Last Post for those who gave their lives for their countries during WW1, and also David Railton, the father of the Orchestra’s founder Dame Ruth Railton and the originator of the Tomb to the Unknown Warrior.
Communities can register and download The Last Post toolkit at www.thelastpostproject.org.uk
Organised by arts not-for-profit Superact, The Last Post project invites communities to research and discover their own First World War stories. The stories are then shared and marked at commemorative events during the Last Post fortnight, 4-18 November and at each event, the Last Post will be played in tribute on a variety of instruments as selected by the community.
Virginia Crompton, Executive Producer, The Last Post project, said:
“The Last Post project will help local communities explore and understand their First World War stories through music, a powerful and accessible vehicle for Remembrance. It was an honour for The Last Post project to have represented the UK with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and all of us at Superact feel privileged that one of the project’s first live performances was part of this international commemoration.”
The performance by the NYOGB was one of the first Last Post performances as most will take place during the Last Post fortnight. It is also the first public event of NYOGB’s summer residency in Birmingham.
Sarah Alexander, Director of National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, said:
“As Britain’s only truly national orchestra it was wonderful to represent the UK in this international commemoration of the last day of peace 100 years on and a great privilege to be invited. We were proud too to be helping launch The Last Post project and hope many other musicians - regardless of backgrounds, instruments or level, will have the chance to remember WW1 with this touching music.”
The NYOGB elected to play The Last Post for those who gave their lives for their countries during WW1, and also David Railton, the father of the Orchestra’s founder Dame Ruth Railton and the originator of the Tomb to the Unknown Warrior.
Communities can register and download The Last Post toolkit at www.thelastpostproject.org.uk
Craig Joins Superact!
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Craig is to join the team at Superact! A not-for-profit Community Interest Company, Superact uses music and the arts to develop and deliver a wide range of social impact projects.
Based in the UK but with an international reach, Superact delivers creative interventions that make a positive difference in key areas of community development, skills development, employability and health and wellbeing. |
Through its work, Superact uses participatory arts based projects to improve lives by empowering individuals and strengthening communities. As an organisation, Superact promotes social inclusion, boosts employability and increases wellbeing by building the self esteem and confidence of the people it works with.
Combining creative flexibility, experienced arts management staff and an extensive roster of professional artists, Superact has a proven track record of delivering projects that have significant social impact at home and abroad.
Superact was founded in Wellington, Somerset in 2006 and now has an an office in Exeter with its Headquarters in Bristol. Craig joins the team as their Project Manger, Wales for their WWI centenary project, The Last Post. The Last Post is a mass participation project which is taking place in cities, towns and villages across the UK in November 2014.
Hundreds of people will unite in communities around the nation to remember the impact that the First World War had on their local community and play music from the era as a mark of commemoration. At every event, the Last Post bugle call will be played to remember someone in their community, not just on bugles but on any instrument from piano to bagpipes, guitar to steel drums. It is a powerful ceremonial call which Last Post participants can make their own as part of a shared community experience.
To support participants in the Last Post project, Superact is providing free resources including:
Combining creative flexibility, experienced arts management staff and an extensive roster of professional artists, Superact has a proven track record of delivering projects that have significant social impact at home and abroad.
Superact was founded in Wellington, Somerset in 2006 and now has an an office in Exeter with its Headquarters in Bristol. Craig joins the team as their Project Manger, Wales for their WWI centenary project, The Last Post. The Last Post is a mass participation project which is taking place in cities, towns and villages across the UK in November 2014.
Hundreds of people will unite in communities around the nation to remember the impact that the First World War had on their local community and play music from the era as a mark of commemoration. At every event, the Last Post bugle call will be played to remember someone in their community, not just on bugles but on any instrument from piano to bagpipes, guitar to steel drums. It is a powerful ceremonial call which Last Post participants can make their own as part of a shared community experience.
To support participants in the Last Post project, Superact is providing free resources including:
- a song book of songs from 1914
- resources to help you research your local history
- tools to help you organise a free community event
- a Last Post Plaque to display in your community to mark your involvement in the project
- expenses will available to a limited number of events
All community groups are welcome to be part of The Last Post project this November including schools and scout groups, history associations and hospitals, community groups and churches… families and friends.
How to get involved
- Join in now to gain access to The Last Post Tool kit which will provide you with more information on The Last Post project and ways in which you can get involved
- Once you have read the tool kit and are ready to register your event – please then complete the full Last Post Fortnight Registration Form which you will be sent a link for.
- Then start planning your Last Post event! The steps are as follows:
- Get together with others in your community
- Research local First World War heritage
- Hold an event to share your heritage during Last Post fortnight
- Play the Last Post yourselves using traditional, or our new arrangements at the event
The Last Post project is delivered by not for profit organisation Superact and supported by The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Visit www.thelastpostproject.org.uk for full information. The deadline for funding applications is September 30
Visit www.thelastpostproject.org.uk for full information. The deadline for funding applications is September 30
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Cory Academy Scoops Top Award
The Cory Academy has seen further accolades in being presented with the prestigious WS Gwynn Williams Award at the Senedd (Welsh Assembly Government).
The initiative was one of four organisations shortlisted for the prestigious WS Gwynn award, in recognition of the work undertaken through the Cory Academy in enhancing opportunities and promoting music making with young people within their community.
The Cory Academy shared the £1,000 prize with Caerphilly Community Chorus, which encourages singers of all abilities to enjoy choral music making. The short list also featured the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Band, who has helped promote an explosion of community brass banding in their area with the formation of four new ensembles in the past few years, and Cor y Gors, a unique musical ensemble from the coastal village called Borth in mid Wales.
The 2014 award was presented by Welsh Assembly Culture Minister John Griffiths AM to Cory Band Manager Austin Davies at the opening of the Ty Cerdd Conference held at the Welsh Assembly Senedd in Cardiff Bay. In congratulating the band, the Minister spoke of the ‘outstanding work’ the Cory Academy had undertaken in reaching out into their community.
Speaking on behalf of the Cory Academy, Austin Davies stated:
"The success of the Cory Academy is down to the passion we have to help create generations of young players with a love of playing in a brass band, and the award will be invested in that ongoing work.
We also have exciting plans for the expansion of the Academy in the years to come so that we can play our part in securing the long term future of brass banding in South Wales and beyond."
Further information on the Cory Academy can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
The initiative was one of four organisations shortlisted for the prestigious WS Gwynn award, in recognition of the work undertaken through the Cory Academy in enhancing opportunities and promoting music making with young people within their community.
The Cory Academy shared the £1,000 prize with Caerphilly Community Chorus, which encourages singers of all abilities to enjoy choral music making. The short list also featured the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Band, who has helped promote an explosion of community brass banding in their area with the formation of four new ensembles in the past few years, and Cor y Gors, a unique musical ensemble from the coastal village called Borth in mid Wales.
The 2014 award was presented by Welsh Assembly Culture Minister John Griffiths AM to Cory Band Manager Austin Davies at the opening of the Ty Cerdd Conference held at the Welsh Assembly Senedd in Cardiff Bay. In congratulating the band, the Minister spoke of the ‘outstanding work’ the Cory Academy had undertaken in reaching out into their community.
Speaking on behalf of the Cory Academy, Austin Davies stated:
"The success of the Cory Academy is down to the passion we have to help create generations of young players with a love of playing in a brass band, and the award will be invested in that ongoing work.
We also have exciting plans for the expansion of the Academy in the years to come so that we can play our part in securing the long term future of brass banding in South Wales and beyond."
Further information on the Cory Academy can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
The North American Brass Band Summer School
As part of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo’s 35th anniversary celebrations in 2014, the RNSIT Society and leading instrument manufacturer Buffet Wind Group, have teamed up to offer brass players the world over the opportunity to be a part of the 35th Tattoo by participating in the all-new North American Brass Band Summer School.
The school’s concept is based on the very successful models, well established in the United Kingdom, but with one very special additional element... In addition to receiving expert tuition from a team of Besson soloists, led by the renowned duo of euphonium soloists Dr Robert Childs & David Childs, participants will also feature in the cast of the world's largest annual indoor show, performing to over 60 000 people alongside c.2 000 international artists of the RNSIT cast.
Participation in the Tattoo will involve no marching. Attendees will instead perform from a static position on the Tattoo stage, together with the massed bands; will feature in their own short scene, performing together with soloists from the Besson tuition staff; and will also perform a number of solo concerts across the city of Halifax, exploring some of the newest and most vibrant British style brass band repertoire, prepared via a series of workshops and rehearsals taking place during the performance week.
Full information on the proposed North American Brass Band Summer School - including information on the RNSIT, Summer School tutors, and how to register - can be found at the school’s own website www.nabbss.com or via the links at www.buffet-group.com and www.nstattoo.ca
The school’s concept is based on the very successful models, well established in the United Kingdom, but with one very special additional element... In addition to receiving expert tuition from a team of Besson soloists, led by the renowned duo of euphonium soloists Dr Robert Childs & David Childs, participants will also feature in the cast of the world's largest annual indoor show, performing to over 60 000 people alongside c.2 000 international artists of the RNSIT cast.
Participation in the Tattoo will involve no marching. Attendees will instead perform from a static position on the Tattoo stage, together with the massed bands; will feature in their own short scene, performing together with soloists from the Besson tuition staff; and will also perform a number of solo concerts across the city of Halifax, exploring some of the newest and most vibrant British style brass band repertoire, prepared via a series of workshops and rehearsals taking place during the performance week.
Full information on the proposed North American Brass Band Summer School - including information on the RNSIT, Summer School tutors, and how to register - can be found at the school’s own website www.nabbss.com or via the links at www.buffet-group.com and www.nstattoo.ca
Creative Wales Award for Childs
"A wonderful musician of the highest quality. A joy to write for both him and an instrument of such beauty and agility."
This is the quote from composer Karl Jenkins OBE that adorns the press release of the Arts Council of Wales as they announce that, hot on the heels of his solo prizes at both Butlins Mineworkers and Yeovil Entertainments championships, euphonium soloist David Childs is to be the recipient of one of their prestigious 2014 Creative Wales Awards.
14 professional artists from across the arts disciplines received a Creative Wales Award from Arts Council of Wales at a reception held at Clwyd Theatr Cymru last Thursday.
Creative Wales Awards recognise the very best talent and potential of individual Welsh artists and recognise significant individual achievement in the arts along with the aim to raise the profile of Welsh culture outside of Wales.
Professor Dai Smith, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, congratulated this year's award winners: "We are pleased to have been able to augment these awards in difficult times. The Creative Wales Awards are one of the high points of the arts calendar in Wales. Arts Council of Wales believes in risk taking and nothing is more exciting than to invest in the creativity of those individuals who make the art that delights and challenges us as a dynamic society."
David Alston, Arts Director, Arts Council of Wales stated: "This is Arts Council of Wales’ opportunity to recognise some of the incredible talents in Wales. We are able to support the work of artists who are at a significant juncture in their career. They are taking exploratory routes to develop the art they make in Wales in future years. Over the years artists have warmly responded to such opportunities and Wales has reaped the artistic dividend downstream from the awards. Strengthening Wales’s artistic base is a key plank in our future strategy, aimed at making the arts central to the life of the nation."
As a soloist David has of course constantly striven to further the profile and development of the euphonium, and the repertoire and opportunities available to himself and other artists. He has personally commissioned a wealth of new works for instrument, and secured the instrument’s inclusion in many of the world's highest profile venues, festivals and events. Together with colleagues, David has now founded, Euphonium Foundation UK, a not for profit organisation aimed to further and perpetuate the development of the euphonium and associated repertoire, further information on which can be found at www.euphoniumfoundationuk.org To date David has very much focused on developing the euphonium as a classical solo recital instrument, and in an orchestral & large ensemble (symphonic wind orchestra / brass band) setting. He now proposes to use the support of his Creative Wales Award to pursue the development of the instrument in a new and very different manner, experimenting with non-traditional / Western-classical settings, and particularly working with electronics and new technology. This is something he believes could lead to considerable additional performance opportunities for the instrument, vital for what remains - despite the instrument's popularity and all very valuable work undertaken by all to date - a still marginalised solo instrument developing in an ever-increasingly digitally-based era.
With the focus on electronics at present, David is keen to hear from brass players and composers who have worked in the medium previously. Interested parties can contact David via the link at the Euphonium Foundation UK website here. Craig is pleased to be working with and representing David Childs.
Enquiries regarding engagaing David can be made via www.davechilds.com or by email at [email protected]
This is the quote from composer Karl Jenkins OBE that adorns the press release of the Arts Council of Wales as they announce that, hot on the heels of his solo prizes at both Butlins Mineworkers and Yeovil Entertainments championships, euphonium soloist David Childs is to be the recipient of one of their prestigious 2014 Creative Wales Awards.
14 professional artists from across the arts disciplines received a Creative Wales Award from Arts Council of Wales at a reception held at Clwyd Theatr Cymru last Thursday.
Creative Wales Awards recognise the very best talent and potential of individual Welsh artists and recognise significant individual achievement in the arts along with the aim to raise the profile of Welsh culture outside of Wales.
Professor Dai Smith, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, congratulated this year's award winners: "We are pleased to have been able to augment these awards in difficult times. The Creative Wales Awards are one of the high points of the arts calendar in Wales. Arts Council of Wales believes in risk taking and nothing is more exciting than to invest in the creativity of those individuals who make the art that delights and challenges us as a dynamic society."
David Alston, Arts Director, Arts Council of Wales stated: "This is Arts Council of Wales’ opportunity to recognise some of the incredible talents in Wales. We are able to support the work of artists who are at a significant juncture in their career. They are taking exploratory routes to develop the art they make in Wales in future years. Over the years artists have warmly responded to such opportunities and Wales has reaped the artistic dividend downstream from the awards. Strengthening Wales’s artistic base is a key plank in our future strategy, aimed at making the arts central to the life of the nation."
As a soloist David has of course constantly striven to further the profile and development of the euphonium, and the repertoire and opportunities available to himself and other artists. He has personally commissioned a wealth of new works for instrument, and secured the instrument’s inclusion in many of the world's highest profile venues, festivals and events. Together with colleagues, David has now founded, Euphonium Foundation UK, a not for profit organisation aimed to further and perpetuate the development of the euphonium and associated repertoire, further information on which can be found at www.euphoniumfoundationuk.org To date David has very much focused on developing the euphonium as a classical solo recital instrument, and in an orchestral & large ensemble (symphonic wind orchestra / brass band) setting. He now proposes to use the support of his Creative Wales Award to pursue the development of the instrument in a new and very different manner, experimenting with non-traditional / Western-classical settings, and particularly working with electronics and new technology. This is something he believes could lead to considerable additional performance opportunities for the instrument, vital for what remains - despite the instrument's popularity and all very valuable work undertaken by all to date - a still marginalised solo instrument developing in an ever-increasingly digitally-based era.
With the focus on electronics at present, David is keen to hear from brass players and composers who have worked in the medium previously. Interested parties can contact David via the link at the Euphonium Foundation UK website here. Craig is pleased to be working with and representing David Childs.
Enquiries regarding engagaing David can be made via www.davechilds.com or by email at [email protected]
Camerata Wales Awarded Anniversaries Funding
Camerata Wales has been awarded £30 000 funding by the Arts Council of Wales for its "Penblwyddi / Anniversaries project.
Based around the significant anniversaries of five prominent Welsh cultural figures, the orchestra's flagship project for 2014 will be undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Welsh Music, Ty Cerdd, the University of Wales Trinity St David and Bangor University.
The project will feature works by Alun Hoddinott (b.1929), Karl Jenkins (b.1944), William Mathias (b.1934) and additional music written about or for Dylan Thomas (b.1914) and HRH The Prince of Wales (b.1948 / i.1969). A variety of works will be recorded in conjunction with the University of Wales Trinity St. David and placed online, together with introduction remarks by Camerata Artistic Director Owain Arwel Hughes, as a 'living archive' of Welsh orchestral music. Two live performances will also be hosted at the University of Wales Trinity St David and Bangor University.
Full information can be found at www.cameratawales.com/anniversaries.html
Based around the significant anniversaries of five prominent Welsh cultural figures, the orchestra's flagship project for 2014 will be undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Welsh Music, Ty Cerdd, the University of Wales Trinity St David and Bangor University.
The project will feature works by Alun Hoddinott (b.1929), Karl Jenkins (b.1944), William Mathias (b.1934) and additional music written about or for Dylan Thomas (b.1914) and HRH The Prince of Wales (b.1948 / i.1969). A variety of works will be recorded in conjunction with the University of Wales Trinity St. David and placed online, together with introduction remarks by Camerata Artistic Director Owain Arwel Hughes, as a 'living archive' of Welsh orchestral music. Two live performances will also be hosted at the University of Wales Trinity St David and Bangor University.
Full information can be found at www.cameratawales.com/anniversaries.html
2014 - The Year Ahead
2014 will be a busy year for Craig. Over the coming twelve months he will be working on a series of high profile projects with a variety of leading collaborators and clients.
Firstly Craig is delighted to have taken up the position of Director of Development with leading independent orchestra Camerata Wales. Formed in 2005 by renowned conductor Owain Arwel Hughes, throughout 2014 Camerata Wales will be working on a series of initiatives, notably their "Penblwyddi / Anniversaries" project, which celebrates the significant anniversaries of a number of leading Welsh figures. These include composers Alun Hoddinott, William Mathias & Karl Jenkins, literary icon Dylan Thomas and HRH The Prince of Wales. Further information on the project and orchestra can be found at the Camerata Wales website here
In 2014 Craig will also be working closely with international euphonium soloist David Childs and Euphonium Foundation UK. A leading exponent and ambassador for his instrument, David has recently been made a recipient of a Creative Wales award from the Arts Council of Wales. David proposes to use his award to pursue and explore new musical pathways for the euphonium through his project "From Ophicleide to...?". In addition the star performer will also be featured in a recording of four major concerti with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Bramwell Tovey, and a series of events in conjunction with the 70th Birthday of composer Karl Jenkins. Further information on David can be found at his website www.davechilds.com and www.euphoniumfoundationuk.org
Together with David and his father Dr Robert Childs, Craig will also launch the North American Brass Band Summer School, in conjunction with Besson Musical Instruments and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Society. The school will be hosted at the 2014 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in June / July and feature a host of leading Besson instructors. Further information on NABBSS can be found here
Craig will also continue his ongoing education work throughout 2014, including an extension and expansion of the 2013 founded Cory Academy, which it is hoped will take place in Spring of this year. Further information on the Cory Academy can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
Craig has also been successful in securing funding for a new educational initiative in the Greater Gwent area on behalf of Ty Cerdd, the Centre for Welsh Music. Launched at the famous Brit Awards in February, further information on The BIG Music Project can be found here
In addition to all of the above Craig will continue his work with Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Come Prima Entertainment and as a member of the Board of Sound Affairs, Community Music Wales and Ty Cerdd. Craig also continues to pursue his position as Musical Director of the Abergavenny Borough Band and Symphonic Brass Wales.
Further detailed information on the various projects and partners above plus additional stand alone events will be placed here as it becomes available throughout the course of the year. If you would like to contact Craig with regard to a project of your own, contact information can be found here
Firstly Craig is delighted to have taken up the position of Director of Development with leading independent orchestra Camerata Wales. Formed in 2005 by renowned conductor Owain Arwel Hughes, throughout 2014 Camerata Wales will be working on a series of initiatives, notably their "Penblwyddi / Anniversaries" project, which celebrates the significant anniversaries of a number of leading Welsh figures. These include composers Alun Hoddinott, William Mathias & Karl Jenkins, literary icon Dylan Thomas and HRH The Prince of Wales. Further information on the project and orchestra can be found at the Camerata Wales website here
In 2014 Craig will also be working closely with international euphonium soloist David Childs and Euphonium Foundation UK. A leading exponent and ambassador for his instrument, David has recently been made a recipient of a Creative Wales award from the Arts Council of Wales. David proposes to use his award to pursue and explore new musical pathways for the euphonium through his project "From Ophicleide to...?". In addition the star performer will also be featured in a recording of four major concerti with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Bramwell Tovey, and a series of events in conjunction with the 70th Birthday of composer Karl Jenkins. Further information on David can be found at his website www.davechilds.com and www.euphoniumfoundationuk.org
Together with David and his father Dr Robert Childs, Craig will also launch the North American Brass Band Summer School, in conjunction with Besson Musical Instruments and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Society. The school will be hosted at the 2014 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in June / July and feature a host of leading Besson instructors. Further information on NABBSS can be found here
Craig will also continue his ongoing education work throughout 2014, including an extension and expansion of the 2013 founded Cory Academy, which it is hoped will take place in Spring of this year. Further information on the Cory Academy can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
Craig has also been successful in securing funding for a new educational initiative in the Greater Gwent area on behalf of Ty Cerdd, the Centre for Welsh Music. Launched at the famous Brit Awards in February, further information on The BIG Music Project can be found here
In addition to all of the above Craig will continue his work with Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Come Prima Entertainment and as a member of the Board of Sound Affairs, Community Music Wales and Ty Cerdd. Craig also continues to pursue his position as Musical Director of the Abergavenny Borough Band and Symphonic Brass Wales.
Further detailed information on the various projects and partners above plus additional stand alone events will be placed here as it becomes available throughout the course of the year. If you would like to contact Craig with regard to a project of your own, contact information can be found here
2013 News
The Wonder of Christmas
On Tuesday December 10 Abergavenny Borough Band will feature in a grand scale Christmas concert at Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral together with international euphonium soloist David Childs and Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan Youth Wind Orchestra.
The Wonder of Christmas will commence at 7:30pm and tickets are available at the door, with advance reservations also available via Sian Jones on 07974 791 090
Further information on soloist David Childs can be found at his official website www.davechilds.com
The Wonder of Christmas will commence at 7:30pm and tickets are available at the door, with advance reservations also available via Sian Jones on 07974 791 090
Further information on soloist David Childs can be found at his official website www.davechilds.com
Liberation Day 70 in Kharkiv
Craig has recently returned from an incredible visit to Kharkiv, Ukraine with Symphonic Brass Wales. The ensemble visited the city as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of the Kharkiv in 1943.
SBW were fortunate enough to perform in a grand scale ceremony for the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych together with bands from across the Ukraine and other nations, including Russia, Moldova and Turkey.
SBW were fortunate enough to perform in a grand scale ceremony for the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych together with bands from across the Ukraine and other nations, including Russia, Moldova and Turkey.
The 24 piece band also performed in an massed open event for the general public in Freedom Square, and gave a stand alone concert performance for people of the Chervonozavodsky region.
A video of the band in performance for the people of Kharkiv can be found on youtube here
The group enjoyed a wonderful visit and look forward to return to Kharkiv again in the very near future.
Further information on Symphonic Brass Wales and its activities can be found at their own website www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com
A video of the band in performance for the people of Kharkiv can be found on youtube here
The group enjoyed a wonderful visit and look forward to return to Kharkiv again in the very near future.
Further information on Symphonic Brass Wales and its activities can be found at their own website www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com
Developing the NYBB
Craig is delighted to take up the position of Director of Development with the incredible National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Working together with administrator Philip Biggs, Chairman Robert Childs and the exceptional NYBB Staff and Council, Craig is to delighted to be crafting and leading on some exciting new initiatives for this fantastic organisation.
Established in 1952, The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain (NCBBGB) are the UK’s leading brass bands for children and teenagers. The two bands exist to provide talented youngsters with opportunities to play brass music to the highest standard and are aimed not only at helping to develop their playing, but also in improving their musicianship and musical horizons.
The two bands hold intensive rehearsals during residential courses which each culminate in a series of prestigious concerts, including the BBC Proms, the Snape Proms, the Great Northern Brass Festival and the gala concert for Brass in Concert.
The Artistic Director for the NYBBGB is Bramwell Tovey and the Musical Director of the NCBBGB is Dr Nicholas Childs. Both bands are also regularly led by leading guest conductors and tutored by some of Britain’s finest brass and percussion players.
Entry to the NYBBGB and the NCBBGB are by audition only. NYBBGB applicants should be grade 8 standard and NCBBGB applicants should be grade 5 standard. The NYBBGB also holds a free of charge open day during each course which is open to additional talented youngsters.
Alumni include Paul Duffy, Katrina Marzella, David Childs, 2008 BBC Young Musician of the Year Peter Moore, current London Symphony Orchestra Principal Trumpet Philip Cobb, and the former principal trumpet of the same orchestra, Maurice Murphy.
Further information on the band and its activities can be found at the NYBB website www.nybbgb.com while up to the minute updates can also be accessed by following the organisation on twitter and facebook
Established in 1952, The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain (NCBBGB) are the UK’s leading brass bands for children and teenagers. The two bands exist to provide talented youngsters with opportunities to play brass music to the highest standard and are aimed not only at helping to develop their playing, but also in improving their musicianship and musical horizons.
The two bands hold intensive rehearsals during residential courses which each culminate in a series of prestigious concerts, including the BBC Proms, the Snape Proms, the Great Northern Brass Festival and the gala concert for Brass in Concert.
The Artistic Director for the NYBBGB is Bramwell Tovey and the Musical Director of the NCBBGB is Dr Nicholas Childs. Both bands are also regularly led by leading guest conductors and tutored by some of Britain’s finest brass and percussion players.
Entry to the NYBBGB and the NCBBGB are by audition only. NYBBGB applicants should be grade 8 standard and NCBBGB applicants should be grade 5 standard. The NYBBGB also holds a free of charge open day during each course which is open to additional talented youngsters.
Alumni include Paul Duffy, Katrina Marzella, David Childs, 2008 BBC Young Musician of the Year Peter Moore, current London Symphony Orchestra Principal Trumpet Philip Cobb, and the former principal trumpet of the same orchestra, Maurice Murphy.
Further information on the band and its activities can be found at the NYBB website www.nybbgb.com while up to the minute updates can also be accessed by following the organisation on twitter and facebook
SBW to visit Ukraine
Symphonic Brass Wales has been invited to perform in the Ukraine, representing Wales and the UK at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Kharkiv, the country's second largest city, between 20 and 26 August 2013.
The group will appear as guests of the Department of Culture, Kharkiv City Council of the Kharkiv Region, and appear in a parade and ancillary events alongside groups of musicians from the Ukraine and other nations.
The ensemble will be comprised of a 25 piece band, a double symphonic brass ensemble / reduced brass band with additional percussion. Full details of the visit can be found in the On Tour section of the Symphonic Brass Wales website here
The group will appear as guests of the Department of Culture, Kharkiv City Council of the Kharkiv Region, and appear in a parade and ancillary events alongside groups of musicians from the Ukraine and other nations.
The ensemble will be comprised of a 25 piece band, a double symphonic brass ensemble / reduced brass band with additional percussion. Full details of the visit can be found in the On Tour section of the Symphonic Brass Wales website here
Symphonic Brass Wales at Nurtingen Tattoo
In July 2013 an ensemble from Symphonic Brass Wales, led by Craig participated in the 2013 Nurtingen Tattoo, alongside our good friends of the Stadtkapelle Nurtingen.
The 17th Nurtingen Tattoo took the form of a large scale outdoor concert, taking place in the centre of Nurtingen on Saturday 20 July. The performance featured three ensembles performing both individually and combined, and culminated in a spectacular performance of the Grand March from Verdi's epic opera Aida, together with the ever-popular Highland Cathedral.
SBW travelled to Nurtingen on Friday July 19 and remained in the city until Sunday July 21. The musicians in the ensemble were drawn from members of Rhondda Cynon Taf's Treherbert & District Band and Monmouthshire's Abergavenny Borough Band.
Further information on Symphonic Brass Wales can be found at the group's own site www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com while information on the Nurtingen Tattoo can be found at the website of the Stadtkapelle Nurtingen here
The 17th Nurtingen Tattoo took the form of a large scale outdoor concert, taking place in the centre of Nurtingen on Saturday 20 July. The performance featured three ensembles performing both individually and combined, and culminated in a spectacular performance of the Grand March from Verdi's epic opera Aida, together with the ever-popular Highland Cathedral.
SBW travelled to Nurtingen on Friday July 19 and remained in the city until Sunday July 21. The musicians in the ensemble were drawn from members of Rhondda Cynon Taf's Treherbert & District Band and Monmouthshire's Abergavenny Borough Band.
Further information on Symphonic Brass Wales can be found at the group's own site www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com while information on the Nurtingen Tattoo can be found at the website of the Stadtkapelle Nurtingen here
Rasputin Ripples to Revolution #weektwo
From July 15 to 19 Craig will again be at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff for the second week of workshops for Making Music Wales' musical theatre project Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution.
The week will see the creative team of writer Peter Karrie, director Angharad Lee, dramaturg Sian Summers, choreographer Phil Williams and musical director Llyr Simon, come together with a second team of creatives comprised of a number of acting professionals and masters degree students of the RWCMD MA Musical Theatre course, under the leadership of Vivien Care.
Regular updates on the workshops' progress will be made via the Rasputin project blog, which can be found at www.rasputinripplestorevolution.com/project-blog.html
Up to the minute news and updates will also be uploaded via twitter at www.twitter.com/rasputinr2r
The hashtags for the workshops are #rasputin #weektwo
The week will see the creative team of writer Peter Karrie, director Angharad Lee, dramaturg Sian Summers, choreographer Phil Williams and musical director Llyr Simon, come together with a second team of creatives comprised of a number of acting professionals and masters degree students of the RWCMD MA Musical Theatre course, under the leadership of Vivien Care.
Regular updates on the workshops' progress will be made via the Rasputin project blog, which can be found at www.rasputinripplestorevolution.com/project-blog.html
Up to the minute news and updates will also be uploaded via twitter at www.twitter.com/rasputinr2r
The hashtags for the workshops are #rasputin #weektwo
Michelangelo Shines In Cheltenham
Wednesday July 11 saw the final performance of the latest Charlie Barber Sound Affairs project Michelangelo: Drawing Blood at the Cheltenham Festival.
A superb collaboration of live and pre-recorded music, choreography, costume, set, light design and film, the production focuses on Michelangelo: painter, sculptor, architect, engineer and poet – the original, and perhaps ultimate, Renaissance man.
Michelangelo Drawing Blood delves into the forces that drove his genius – an obsession with human anatomy, a passionate response to the male body and an equally intense Christian faith. Two male performers bring to life the fluid twists and turns of Michelangelo’s drawings accompanied by music composed by Charlie Barber and performed live on Renaissance instruments.
Full information on the project can be found at the Michelangelo website soundaffairs.wordpress.com
An example of Charlie Barber's music from Michelangelo can be found on youtube via links at the above website, where reviews of the project can also be found. An excerpt of the music is also included below
A superb collaboration of live and pre-recorded music, choreography, costume, set, light design and film, the production focuses on Michelangelo: painter, sculptor, architect, engineer and poet – the original, and perhaps ultimate, Renaissance man.
Michelangelo Drawing Blood delves into the forces that drove his genius – an obsession with human anatomy, a passionate response to the male body and an equally intense Christian faith. Two male performers bring to life the fluid twists and turns of Michelangelo’s drawings accompanied by music composed by Charlie Barber and performed live on Renaissance instruments.
Full information on the project can be found at the Michelangelo website soundaffairs.wordpress.com
An example of Charlie Barber's music from Michelangelo can be found on youtube via links at the above website, where reviews of the project can also be found. An excerpt of the music is also included below
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2013 A Tremendous Success
The 2013 edition of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo was a triumph, with the stellar team of performers from Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the United States of America entertaining increased audiences at the 6000 plus seat Halifax Metro Centre from June 30 to July 7.
The 2013 Tattoo themes of the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in 1943, and the continued commemoration of the Wars of 1812 to 1814, and the capture of the USS Chesapeake by the HMS Shannon in the Battle of Boston Harbor on June 1, 1813, were all marked in trademark spectacular fashion.
Featured performers in the 2013 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo were as follows:
The 2013 Tattoo themes of the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in 1943, and the continued commemoration of the Wars of 1812 to 1814, and the capture of the USS Chesapeake by the HMS Shannon in the Battle of Boston Harbor on June 1, 1813, were all marked in trademark spectacular fashion.
Featured performers in the 2013 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo were as follows:
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Canada
Stadacona Band of Maritime Force Atlantic National Band of the Naval Reserve Atlantic Area Army Band National Band of the Naval Reserve Army and RCAF Pipes & Drums Royal Canadian Mounted Police National Ceremonial Troop Royal Canadian Regiment Drill Team Tri-Service Obstacle Race The Naval Gun Race Tattoo Highland Dancers Diaga Irish Dancers Tattoo Choir Tattoo Children's Chorus Fanfare Trumpet Team Tri-Service Guard The American Rogues Langley Ukulele Ensemble Brenna Conrad Marcel d'Entremont Derrick Paul Miller Liz Rigney |
Australia
OzScot Dancers Germany Luftwaffenmusikkorps 1 Hamburg Police Motorcycle Display Team The Flying Saxons German Bicycle Team New Zealand Christchurch City Pipes & Drums The United States of America The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes from South Carolina |
Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg Enjoy Another Successful Visit
The superb Jugendsinfonieorchester of Ravensburg, Germany once again enjoyed a very succesful visit to South Wales, and specifically their twin town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, in mid June of this year.
Friday June 14 saw the magnificent 70 piece symphony orchestra perform together with longstanding friends Porth County Community School Choir, and the new Cory Academy Band, in concert at Porth County School, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the twinning with Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Saturday June 15 then saw the group head east to Monmouthshire, to perform alongside the Abergavenny Borough Band in the magnificent setting of St Mary's Church, Abergavenny, inclement weather unfortunately prohibiting the planned open air performance at Abergavenny Castle.
The orchestra then concluded their weekend tour on Sunday June 16 in meeting euphonium virtuoso David Childs and touring the iconic Wales Millennium Centre before returning to Germany.
This was the ninth consecutive year that Craig has worked with groups from Ravensburg, and looks forward to further collaborative projects in 2014, including a production of the Phantom of the Opera at the magnificent Ravensburg Konzerthaus, and concerts making the 70th anniversary of composer Karl Jenkins and the centenary of the First World War.
Further information on the Jugendsinfonieorchester and their Director Harald Hepner can be found at www.jso.musikschule-rv.de
Friday June 14 saw the magnificent 70 piece symphony orchestra perform together with longstanding friends Porth County Community School Choir, and the new Cory Academy Band, in concert at Porth County School, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the twinning with Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Saturday June 15 then saw the group head east to Monmouthshire, to perform alongside the Abergavenny Borough Band in the magnificent setting of St Mary's Church, Abergavenny, inclement weather unfortunately prohibiting the planned open air performance at Abergavenny Castle.
The orchestra then concluded their weekend tour on Sunday June 16 in meeting euphonium virtuoso David Childs and touring the iconic Wales Millennium Centre before returning to Germany.
This was the ninth consecutive year that Craig has worked with groups from Ravensburg, and looks forward to further collaborative projects in 2014, including a production of the Phantom of the Opera at the magnificent Ravensburg Konzerthaus, and concerts making the 70th anniversary of composer Karl Jenkins and the centenary of the First World War.
Further information on the Jugendsinfonieorchester and their Director Harald Hepner can be found at www.jso.musikschule-rv.de
Cory Academy Exceeds All Expectations
European brass band champions the Cory Band are delighted with the success of their Cory Academy initiative, which now boasts over 100 children accessing expert tuition from the band’s stable of star players on a weekly basis throughout the Rhondda Cynon Taf area of South Wales.
Seven bands currently benefit from the scheme, and the total number of children involved is nearing 140.
In June, students from all seven bands came together for the first time in the first of a series of three non-residential weekend courses held at Porth County Community School and the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy. The course was spread over two weekends, the first seeing a full days tuition with a team of Cory tutors, followed by a performance together with the world's number one brass band at the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.
The following weekend then saw the Cory Academy students return to Porth County for a second performance together with the 80 piece Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg of Germany, and the 90 piece Porth County Community School Choir.
Cory Academy activity will continue to grow in autumn 2013. Further information on the project can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
Seven bands currently benefit from the scheme, and the total number of children involved is nearing 140.
In June, students from all seven bands came together for the first time in the first of a series of three non-residential weekend courses held at Porth County Community School and the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy. The course was spread over two weekends, the first seeing a full days tuition with a team of Cory tutors, followed by a performance together with the world's number one brass band at the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.
The following weekend then saw the Cory Academy students return to Porth County for a second performance together with the 80 piece Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg of Germany, and the 90 piece Porth County Community School Choir.
Cory Academy activity will continue to grow in autumn 2013. Further information on the project can be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
RNSIT Live Webcam
Watch live as the stage is set and rehearsals commence for the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
With the support of Nova Scotia Webcams, a live webcam has now been installed at the Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia via which interested parties can follow the building of the stage, rehearsals and all preparations for the 2013 RNSIT from now until June 29.
The webcam can be found at www.novascotiawebcams.com while tickets for the 2013 Tattoo can be purchased via the Tattoo website www.nstattoo.ca
With the support of Nova Scotia Webcams, a live webcam has now been installed at the Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia via which interested parties can follow the building of the stage, rehearsals and all preparations for the 2013 RNSIT from now until June 29.
The webcam can be found at www.novascotiawebcams.com while tickets for the 2013 Tattoo can be purchased via the Tattoo website www.nstattoo.ca
Cory Academy, Jugendsinfonieorchester and Porth County to unite
On Friday June 14 Rhondda Cynon Taf's Cory Academy Band and Porth County Community School Choir will come together with the Jugendsinfonieorchester of Ravensburg, Germany in concert to celebrate 20 years of twinning between Ravensburg and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The concert will take place at Porth County Community School and will be attended by the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cllr Doug Williams
Further information on the twinning relationships of Rhondda Cynon Taf can be found at the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council website here
The concert will take place at Porth County Community School and will be attended by the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cllr Doug Williams
Further information on the twinning relationships of Rhondda Cynon Taf can be found at the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council website here
SBW to visit Baden-Württemberg
In July, Craig will once again to travel to Germany, together with an ensemble from Symphonic Brass Wales.
SBW will feature, alongside the Stadtkapelle Nürtingen, in the 17th annual Nürtingen Tattoo, which takes place on the evening of Saturday July 20.
The Tattoo takes the form of a large scale, open air concert performance with massed bands and fireworks. The finale will include a special arrangement of Giuseppe Verdi's Grand March from Aida.
Further information on the visit and the activities of Symphonic Brass Wales can be found at www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com
SBW will feature, alongside the Stadtkapelle Nürtingen, in the 17th annual Nürtingen Tattoo, which takes place on the evening of Saturday July 20.
The Tattoo takes the form of a large scale, open air concert performance with massed bands and fireworks. The finale will include a special arrangement of Giuseppe Verdi's Grand March from Aida.
Further information on the visit and the activities of Symphonic Brass Wales can be found at www.symphonicbrasswales.weebly.com
CSW Excel at RWCMD
Under the baton of Artistic Director David Childs, Cardiff Symphonic Winds excelled in their first public performance at the prestigious Dora Stouzker Hall of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. The programme featured an eclectic mix of popular classical and contemporary music by Alexander Arutiunian, Mark Camphouse, Johann De Meij, Gustav Holst, Paul Sharman, Andrew Pierce, Dmitry Shostakovich, Eric Whitacre and John Williams.
The performance was expertly compered by BBC Wales' Beverley Humphreys and featured outstanding London Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet, and London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games opening ceremonies' soloist Philip Cobb in tremendous form.
The concert proved a great success, playing to a large and very appreciative audience.
Formal concert reviews by 4barsrest' Iwan Fox and former Winds editor Bruce Perkins can be found here while the ongoing progress of this exciting new ensemble can be followed via their website www.cardiffsymphonicwinds.com
The performance was expertly compered by BBC Wales' Beverley Humphreys and featured outstanding London Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet, and London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games opening ceremonies' soloist Philip Cobb in tremendous form.
The concert proved a great success, playing to a large and very appreciative audience.
Formal concert reviews by 4barsrest' Iwan Fox and former Winds editor Bruce Perkins can be found here while the ongoing progress of this exciting new ensemble can be followed via their website www.cardiffsymphonicwinds.com
Cardiff Symphonic Winds
Saturday May 18 will see the inaugural public performance by Cardiff's exciting new ensemble, Cardiff Symphonic Winds.
The performance will feature an innovative and adventurous programme, including music by Alexander Arutiunian, Eric Whitacre, Mark Camphouse, Paul Sharman, Andrew Pierce and Johann De Meij, as well as classic favourites from Dmitri Shostakovich, Gustav Holst, John Williams and more.
Led by Artistic Director, euphonium virtuoso David Childs, the performance will take place at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's prestigious Dora Stouzker Hall, and feature London Symphony Orchestra principal and London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games opening ceremonies' soloist Philip Cobb.
Further information on Cardiff Symphonic Winds can be found at their website www.cardiffsymphonicwinds.com Tickets for the event can be purchased at here
The performance will feature an innovative and adventurous programme, including music by Alexander Arutiunian, Eric Whitacre, Mark Camphouse, Paul Sharman, Andrew Pierce and Johann De Meij, as well as classic favourites from Dmitri Shostakovich, Gustav Holst, John Williams and more.
Led by Artistic Director, euphonium virtuoso David Childs, the performance will take place at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's prestigious Dora Stouzker Hall, and feature London Symphony Orchestra principal and London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games opening ceremonies' soloist Philip Cobb.
Further information on Cardiff Symphonic Winds can be found at their website www.cardiffsymphonicwinds.com Tickets for the event can be purchased at here
Excellence Again at Rhondda Fach 2013
The 2013 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert proved to be another truly outstanding occasion. The event, now in it's ninth consecutive year, has previously featured such world renowned artists as Katherine Jenkins, Rebecca Evans, Shan Cothi and John Owen Jones. This year the event played host to "the world's favourite soprano" Lesley Garrett.
Lesley's performance was superb, as was that of the excellent Pendyrus Male Choir and local young performers, notably Pontygwaith's own 15 year old Megan Phelan and a number of young soloists drawn from the Pendyrus choir itself. Craig was delighted to support the concert as compere / host for the 5th occasion.
The gala concert is now firmly established a highlight of the cultural calendar of South Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf, and will surely remain so; a lasting testament to the incredible hard work and vision of concert founder and producer Cyril Jones MBE and his team.
After nine years of producing events of the very highest quality, Cyril has now decided that 2013 will be his last as producer. He leaves behind him however an incredible legacy of success and achievement which his successors will strive hard to emulate and reproduce. Congratulations of the highest order have been widely received and are most certainly deserved and due.
The Rhondda Fach Gala Concert will return in 2014, when on Friday April 25 it will feature classical crossover sensation and double platinum album selling artist Rhydian Roberts. Tickets will be available for sale direct from the Pendyrus Male Choir at and following their Christmas Celebration concert with Wales' leading tenor Rhys Meirion on Friday December 5.
Further information on the 2014 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert will be made available presently at the Pendyrus Male Choir website www.pendyrus.org while information on Rhydian himself can be found at www.rhydian-roberts.co.uk
Lesley's performance was superb, as was that of the excellent Pendyrus Male Choir and local young performers, notably Pontygwaith's own 15 year old Megan Phelan and a number of young soloists drawn from the Pendyrus choir itself. Craig was delighted to support the concert as compere / host for the 5th occasion.
The gala concert is now firmly established a highlight of the cultural calendar of South Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf, and will surely remain so; a lasting testament to the incredible hard work and vision of concert founder and producer Cyril Jones MBE and his team.
After nine years of producing events of the very highest quality, Cyril has now decided that 2013 will be his last as producer. He leaves behind him however an incredible legacy of success and achievement which his successors will strive hard to emulate and reproduce. Congratulations of the highest order have been widely received and are most certainly deserved and due.
The Rhondda Fach Gala Concert will return in 2014, when on Friday April 25 it will feature classical crossover sensation and double platinum album selling artist Rhydian Roberts. Tickets will be available for sale direct from the Pendyrus Male Choir at and following their Christmas Celebration concert with Wales' leading tenor Rhys Meirion on Friday December 5.
Further information on the 2014 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert will be made available presently at the Pendyrus Male Choir website www.pendyrus.org while information on Rhydian himself can be found at www.rhydian-roberts.co.uk
Rhondda Fach Gala Concert 2013
On Friday May 10 Craig will again compere the annual Rhondda Fach Gala Concert at the Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown, which this year will feature the Pendyrus Male Choir with star soprano Lesley Garrett CBE.
Britain’s most popular soprano, Lesley regular appears in both opera and in concert, on television and CD; she has won both critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers.
Limited tickets for the event remain available - please contact concert promoter Cyril Jenkins via email at [email protected]
The 2012 Gala Concert, featuring Welsh soprano Shan Cothi, raised over £8000 for charitable causes, the recipients of which for 2012 were pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf's charities 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 concerts can be found here while further information on the 2013 concert can be downloaded below
Britain’s most popular soprano, Lesley regular appears in both opera and in concert, on television and CD; she has won both critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers.
Limited tickets for the event remain available - please contact concert promoter Cyril Jenkins via email at [email protected]
The 2012 Gala Concert, featuring Welsh soprano Shan Cothi, raised over £8000 for charitable causes, the recipients of which for 2012 were pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf's charities 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 concerts can be found here while further information on the 2013 concert can be downloaded below
| lesley_garrett_poster.doc |
Rasputin at RWCMD
From April 22 to 26 Craig will be at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff together with writer Peter Karrie and director Angharad Lee, for the first week of workshops of Making Music Wales' musical theatre project Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution.
Joining them will be dramaturg Sian Summers, choreographer Phil Williams and musical director Llyr Simon, together with a full team of creatives comprised of a number of acting professionals and masters degree students of the RWCMD MA Musical Theatre course, under the leadership of Vivien Care.
Regular updates on the workshops' progress will be made via the Rasputin project blog, which can be found at www.rasputinripplestorevolution.com/project-blog.html
Up to the minute news and updates will also be uploaded via twitter at www.twitter.com/rasputinr2r
The hashtags for the workshops are #rasputin #weekone
Joining them will be dramaturg Sian Summers, choreographer Phil Williams and musical director Llyr Simon, together with a full team of creatives comprised of a number of acting professionals and masters degree students of the RWCMD MA Musical Theatre course, under the leadership of Vivien Care.
Regular updates on the workshops' progress will be made via the Rasputin project blog, which can be found at www.rasputinripplestorevolution.com/project-blog.html
Up to the minute news and updates will also be uploaded via twitter at www.twitter.com/rasputinr2r
The hashtags for the workshops are #rasputin #weekone
RNSIT 2013 Promotional Video Now Online
The promotional video for the 2013 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is now available on online. The video can be found at the Tattoo website www.nstattoo.ca, live on youtube and is also included below. Additional videos from the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo can be found in the video gallery section of this site
Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg to return to Wales
The superb Jugendsinfonieorchester of Ravensburg, Germany are to visit South Wales, and specifically their twin town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, in mid June of this year.
In an event supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Friday June 14 will see the magnificent 58 piece orchestra perform in the splendid setting of the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the twinning in Rhondda Cynon Taf, as well as the centenary of the theatre itself.
On Saturday June 15 the group will then head east to Monmouthshire, where they will perform alongside the Abergavenny Borough Band in the magnificent grounds of Abergavenny Castle. The orchestra will then conclude their weekend tour of Wales on Sunday June 16 with a matinee performance, in association with Music Centre Wales - Ty Cerdd, on the Glanfa stage of the Wales Millennium Centre.
This will be the ninth consecutive year that Craig has worked with groups from Ravensburg. Further information on the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Director Harald Hepner can be found at www.jso.musikschule-rv.de
In an event supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Friday June 14 will see the magnificent 58 piece orchestra perform in the splendid setting of the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the twinning in Rhondda Cynon Taf, as well as the centenary of the theatre itself.
On Saturday June 15 the group will then head east to Monmouthshire, where they will perform alongside the Abergavenny Borough Band in the magnificent grounds of Abergavenny Castle. The orchestra will then conclude their weekend tour of Wales on Sunday June 16 with a matinee performance, in association with Music Centre Wales - Ty Cerdd, on the Glanfa stage of the Wales Millennium Centre.
This will be the ninth consecutive year that Craig has worked with groups from Ravensburg. Further information on the Jugendsinfonieorchester and Director Harald Hepner can be found at www.jso.musikschule-rv.de
Abergavenny Receive W.S. Gwynn Williams Award
Abergavenny Borough Band have been awarded the prestigious W.S. Gwynn Williams Award by Music Centre Wales - Ty Cerdd, for their achievements throughout 2011/12.
The award is each year presented to the musical organisation which has, in the view of the Tŷ Cerdd Executive, displayed both a strong commitment to Welsh music and made an outstanding contribution to its community.
Candidates for the award are nominated by members of the public and the winning citation this year paid tribute to the exciting programming that is a feature of the band’s concerts, where much emphasis has been given to new Welsh music. This, combined with the splendid community work which the band does, together with its strong commitment to its youth band of 40 members, were the deciding factors in Tŷ Cerdd’s decision to make the award.
During 2011 Abergavenny were named SEWBBA and overall joint Welsh Brass Band League Champions. 2012 then saw them perform in concert at Abergavenny Castle, BBC Hoddinott Hall, the Wales Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium, the Dora Stouzker Hall of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the Brangwyn Hall, St David's Hall, the Senedd and the Olympic Park, London. During this period the band has also worked with leading artists including Paul Mealor, David Childs, Peter Karrie, Mike Doyle, Sarah Lark, Katy Treharne, the Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg and a number of leading male & mixed choirs.
The announcement of the award to Abergavenny was made by Tŷ Cerdd Director Gwyn L. Williams at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea in March. The official presentation, together with a cheque for £1000, will be made to Musical Director Craig and Abergavenny Chair Andrew Richards at the Wales Millennium Centre on Monday April 8.
An article on the award can be found at the Ty Cerdd website here Further information on Abergavenny Borough Band and their activities can be found at their website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
The award is each year presented to the musical organisation which has, in the view of the Tŷ Cerdd Executive, displayed both a strong commitment to Welsh music and made an outstanding contribution to its community.
Candidates for the award are nominated by members of the public and the winning citation this year paid tribute to the exciting programming that is a feature of the band’s concerts, where much emphasis has been given to new Welsh music. This, combined with the splendid community work which the band does, together with its strong commitment to its youth band of 40 members, were the deciding factors in Tŷ Cerdd’s decision to make the award.
During 2011 Abergavenny were named SEWBBA and overall joint Welsh Brass Band League Champions. 2012 then saw them perform in concert at Abergavenny Castle, BBC Hoddinott Hall, the Wales Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium, the Dora Stouzker Hall of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the Brangwyn Hall, St David's Hall, the Senedd and the Olympic Park, London. During this period the band has also worked with leading artists including Paul Mealor, David Childs, Peter Karrie, Mike Doyle, Sarah Lark, Katy Treharne, the Jugendsinfonieorchester Ravensburg and a number of leading male & mixed choirs.
The announcement of the award to Abergavenny was made by Tŷ Cerdd Director Gwyn L. Williams at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea in March. The official presentation, together with a cheque for £1000, will be made to Musical Director Craig and Abergavenny Chair Andrew Richards at the Wales Millennium Centre on Monday April 8.
An article on the award can be found at the Ty Cerdd website here Further information on Abergavenny Borough Band and their activities can be found at their website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
RNSIT 2013 Line Up Revealed
The list of countries that will be participating in the 2013 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo has been revealed. This year's edition of the world's largest annual indoor show will feature performers from a huge cross section of the globe, including groups and individuals from Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the United States of America. Discussions are also ongoing with additional performers from China and France.
The full line up of acts can be found at the Tattoo's own website www.nstattoo.ca plus a promotional video for the 2013 show can also be found on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e1GIsSwzIA
Making a particularly welcome return to the Tattoo this year are the incredible Flying Saxons of Germany, video footage of which can be found here, while ticketing information for the 2013 Tattoo can be found here
The full line up of acts can be found at the Tattoo's own website www.nstattoo.ca plus a promotional video for the 2013 show can also be found on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e1GIsSwzIA
Making a particularly welcome return to the Tattoo this year are the incredible Flying Saxons of Germany, video footage of which can be found here, while ticketing information for the 2013 Tattoo can be found here
Cory Academy Launched!
The Cory Academy, youth outreach arm of the world’s number one ranked brass band, the Cory Band, was launched on March 21st at Ty Cory.
Cory recognise the issues facing all brass bands in the twenty-first century – the need to be relevant and forward thinking, to engage with new and wider audiences, and to recruit into the brass band movement additional new players, both young and old alike. Cory aim to tackle these issues both locally, in their home county of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and wider, through the Cory Academy, encouraging greater engagement with youth, increased participation in brass band music making, and greater collaboration between brass players and bands across the whole of Wales.
Developed in consultation with Making Music Wales, and supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Wales, the Cory Academy is now operating in connection with 10 bands throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Full information on the scheme and how to become involved can now be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
Cory recognise the issues facing all brass bands in the twenty-first century – the need to be relevant and forward thinking, to engage with new and wider audiences, and to recruit into the brass band movement additional new players, both young and old alike. Cory aim to tackle these issues both locally, in their home county of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and wider, through the Cory Academy, encouraging greater engagement with youth, increased participation in brass band music making, and greater collaboration between brass players and bands across the whole of Wales.
Developed in consultation with Making Music Wales, and supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Wales, the Cory Academy is now operating in connection with 10 bands throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Full information on the scheme and how to become involved can now be found at www.coryacademy.co.uk
What a Celebration! Bobath 21 at St David's Hall
On Sunday March 17 Craig appeared at St David's Hall, Cardiff together with a host of Wales based star performers in a tremendous gala concert celebrating the 21st anniversary of Bobath Children's Therapy Centre.
Guest performers included comperes Roy Noble, Lucy & Rhodri Owen and Connie Fisher; musical theatre stars Peter Karrie, Katy Treharne and Sarah Lark; comedian Mike Doyle, classical baritone Lukasz Biela, Californian folk duo Zervas & Pepper, the Abergavenny Borough Band & Massed Male Choir (Cor Meibion Bridgend, Cardiff Arms Park & Llantrisant), Liberty Big Band, Dawnswyr Nant Garw, the Debbie Chapman Dancers, and youth groups Pukka Productions and Côr Casnewydd.
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales provides specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to over 450 children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy. Each year they need to raise over £900,000 to run the Centre. Money raised from this special concert went directly toward that cause, helping to make a difference to children from across Wales with cerebral palsy.
Further information on Bobath and the excellent work they undertake can be found their website www.bobathwales.org plus a selection of photographs from the event at St David's Hall can be found in the gallery section of this site here
Guest performers included comperes Roy Noble, Lucy & Rhodri Owen and Connie Fisher; musical theatre stars Peter Karrie, Katy Treharne and Sarah Lark; comedian Mike Doyle, classical baritone Lukasz Biela, Californian folk duo Zervas & Pepper, the Abergavenny Borough Band & Massed Male Choir (Cor Meibion Bridgend, Cardiff Arms Park & Llantrisant), Liberty Big Band, Dawnswyr Nant Garw, the Debbie Chapman Dancers, and youth groups Pukka Productions and Côr Casnewydd.
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales provides specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to over 450 children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy. Each year they need to raise over £900,000 to run the Centre. Money raised from this special concert went directly toward that cause, helping to make a difference to children from across Wales with cerebral palsy.
Further information on Bobath and the excellent work they undertake can be found their website www.bobathwales.org plus a selection of photographs from the event at St David's Hall can be found in the gallery section of this site here
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus am Amgueddfa Genedlaethol
On Friday and Saturday March 1 & 2, the National Museum of Wales Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru played host to a vibrant St David's Day Festival right in the heart of the Welsh capital, in honour of Wales' patron saint.
A host of musical talent featured in the celebrations, including musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the Welsh National Opera Company and the Abergavenny Borough Band and Junior Band, conducted respectively by Craig and Lana Tingay.
The museum was an excellent performance venue which regularly hosts a wide variety of musical performances.
Further information on the national museum, key exhibits and their full events programme can be found at the national museum's own website www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff
A host of musical talent featured in the celebrations, including musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the Welsh National Opera Company and the Abergavenny Borough Band and Junior Band, conducted respectively by Craig and Lana Tingay.
The museum was an excellent performance venue which regularly hosts a wide variety of musical performances.
Further information on the national museum, key exhibits and their full events programme can be found at the national museum's own website www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff
Rasputin On Radio
On Sunday March 3, Rasputin Ripples to Revolution writer Peter Karrie will be interviewed on BBC Radio Wales about the Rasputin project by ever popular Radio Wales presenter Roy Noble.
The interview will be broadcast as part of Roy's weekly Sunday morning show, on air from 10:30am onwards. Further information can be found at the BBC Radio Wales website here
Further information on the Rasputin project can be found at the official project website here while regular updates on the project's progress can be found and subscribed to at the official project blog here
The interview will be broadcast as part of Roy's weekly Sunday morning show, on air from 10:30am onwards. Further information can be found at the BBC Radio Wales website here
Further information on the Rasputin project can be found at the official project website here while regular updates on the project's progress can be found and subscribed to at the official project blog here
Abergavenny to perform at National Museum of Wales
On Saturday March 2 Abergavenny Borough Band will perform at the National Museum of Wales, as part of the venue's celebrations of the patron saint of Wales, St David.
The band will be performing between 2:00 and 3:00pm, in a programme which will include a selection of favourite items, including And the Band Played On, MacArthur Park and the Coronation Scene from Boris Godunov.
Abergavenny will also be performing a major work in Gareth Wood's Brass Triumphant. Composed in celebration of the 125th anniversary of The Cory Band in 2009, Brass Triumphant is the set test for the 2012 Welsh Regional Championships, which Abergavenny will be competing in at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Saturday March 16.
Further information on this event and additional activities of Abergavenny Borough Band can be found at the band's own website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
The band will be performing between 2:00 and 3:00pm, in a programme which will include a selection of favourite items, including And the Band Played On, MacArthur Park and the Coronation Scene from Boris Godunov.
Abergavenny will also be performing a major work in Gareth Wood's Brass Triumphant. Composed in celebration of the 125th anniversary of The Cory Band in 2009, Brass Triumphant is the set test for the 2012 Welsh Regional Championships, which Abergavenny will be competing in at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Saturday March 16.
Further information on this event and additional activities of Abergavenny Borough Band can be found at the band's own website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
Rasputin blog goes live
Throughout 2013 Craig will be working together with writer Peter Karrie and Director Angharad Lee plus a host of theatre professionals and the MA musical theatre department of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, on the first stage of a major new musical - Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution. The project is funded by a theatre development grant from the Arts Council of Wales.
Full information, along with a timeline for the project, can be found at the Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution, website www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com and specifically www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com/rasputin-a-chymru
Regular updates on progress will be published via the project blog which can now be found live at www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com/project-blog
Full information, along with a timeline for the project, can be found at the Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution, website www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com and specifically www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com/rasputin-a-chymru
Regular updates on progress will be published via the project blog which can now be found live at www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com/project-blog
GBBA Entertainments Champions 2013
Abergavenny Borough Band have secured the title of GBBA Entertainments Champions 2013 following their winning performance at the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Championships held at Ross-On-Wye on Sunday February 3rd.
The band, conducted by Craig, were commended by adjudicator Dr Graham Jones MBE (former Director of Music of the Band of the Coldstream Guards and Principal Director of Music of the Household Division of the British Army) on "an excellent performance by a very good band" as he presented the trophy for the best overall band on the day to Abergavenny Borough Chairman, Andrew Richards.
The band also took home to Wales the prizes for Best First Section Band, Winning Conductor, and Best Soloist for principal cornet player, Diane Mogford, who gave a superb performance of Dr Peter Graham's "Glorious Ventures" to take the award.
Both Junior and Senior band made the journey to Ross-on-Wye for the annual entertainments contest, with the Junior Band conducted by Lana Tingay also bringing home to Wales a Silver Award for the day.
Abergavenny now look forward to their appearances at the Welsh Open Entertainments Championships at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl; the Welsh Regional Championships at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; and their participation in the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St. David's Hall, Cardiff.
Further information on Abergavenny Band and their activities can be found at their website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
The band, conducted by Craig, were commended by adjudicator Dr Graham Jones MBE (former Director of Music of the Band of the Coldstream Guards and Principal Director of Music of the Household Division of the British Army) on "an excellent performance by a very good band" as he presented the trophy for the best overall band on the day to Abergavenny Borough Chairman, Andrew Richards.
The band also took home to Wales the prizes for Best First Section Band, Winning Conductor, and Best Soloist for principal cornet player, Diane Mogford, who gave a superb performance of Dr Peter Graham's "Glorious Ventures" to take the award.
Both Junior and Senior band made the journey to Ross-on-Wye for the annual entertainments contest, with the Junior Band conducted by Lana Tingay also bringing home to Wales a Silver Award for the day.
Abergavenny now look forward to their appearances at the Welsh Open Entertainments Championships at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl; the Welsh Regional Championships at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; and their participation in the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St. David's Hall, Cardiff.
Further information on Abergavenny Band and their activities can be found at their website www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk
St David's Hall Gala
On Sunday March 17 Craig will appear at St David's Hall together with Abergavenny Borough Band in a star studded gala concert in celebration of the 21st anniversary of Bobath Children's Therapy Centre.
The performance will be a matinee, commencing at 3:00pm, and will feature a host of Welsh star performers including musical theatre stars Peter Karrie, Katy Treharne and Sarah Lark, comedian Mike Doyle, classical baritone Lucasz Biela, Cor Meibion Bro Taf, the Liberty Big Band, Debbie Chapman Dancers, Dawnswyr Nant Garw and Californian Folk Duo Zervas & Pepper.
Guest celebrity hosts for the performance confirmed include Roy Noble, Arfon Haines-Davies, Lucy & Rhodri Owen, Connie Fisher, Angharad Mair and Margaret Williams.
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales provides specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to over 450 children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy.
Each year Bobath needs to raise over £900,000 to run the Centre. Money raised from this special concert will help make a huge difference to children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy.
Tickets are available now from the St David's Hall box office via the link here and further information can also be found at the Bobath website here and Bobath facebook site here
A flyer for the concert can be downloaded below
The performance will be a matinee, commencing at 3:00pm, and will feature a host of Welsh star performers including musical theatre stars Peter Karrie, Katy Treharne and Sarah Lark, comedian Mike Doyle, classical baritone Lucasz Biela, Cor Meibion Bro Taf, the Liberty Big Band, Debbie Chapman Dancers, Dawnswyr Nant Garw and Californian Folk Duo Zervas & Pepper.
Guest celebrity hosts for the performance confirmed include Roy Noble, Arfon Haines-Davies, Lucy & Rhodri Owen, Connie Fisher, Angharad Mair and Margaret Williams.
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales provides specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to over 450 children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy.
Each year Bobath needs to raise over £900,000 to run the Centre. Money raised from this special concert will help make a huge difference to children from across Wales who have cerebral palsy.
Tickets are available now from the St David's Hall box office via the link here and further information can also be found at the Bobath website here and Bobath facebook site here
A flyer for the concert can be downloaded below
| 21_gala_concert_jpeg.jpg |
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - a very Happy New Year to all. 2012 was a busy year with many highlights, which included some fantastic events at BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the Borough Theatre Abergavenny and Park & Dare Theatre, Rhondda Cynon Taf; plus - on a larger scale - the Halifax Metro Centre, Hamburg Sporthalle, and the 72 000 seat Millennium Stadium.
The Hospice of the Valleys Jubilee Concert saw Craig work again with Katy Treharne, the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert featured Shan Cothi, and numerous projects and performances with Peter Karrie included the 2012 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and Hamburg Polizei Show, both of these with Canadian soprano Brenna Conrad. An additional highlight was the Help For Heroes gala concert organised at the Park & Dare Theatre by Janet Slade-Jones which raised £8000 for the charity.
The Hospice of the Valleys Jubilee Concert saw Craig work again with Katy Treharne, the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert featured Shan Cothi, and numerous projects and performances with Peter Karrie included the 2012 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and Hamburg Polizei Show, both of these with Canadian soprano Brenna Conrad. An additional highlight was the Help For Heroes gala concert organised at the Park & Dare Theatre by Janet Slade-Jones which raised £8000 for the charity.
2012 was quite a year for conferences, with Craig featured as a guest speaker of the International Association of Music Libraries (IAML) UK & Ireland Conference at Cardiff University, and the national conference for UK voluntary music also being held in Cardiff, hosted by Making Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
The conference concert "Jubilate!" also saw Craig once again share the stage with Professor Paul Mealor, and featured the premiere of Paul's tribute to the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II "Jubilate! Jubilee!", performed by the Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters, accompanied by Abergavenny Borough Band in Craig's arrangement of the work for symphonic brass and percussion, all conducted by the composer. The concert also saw the premiere of Duncan MacLeod's "Asymptotos" and Evan Dawson's London 2012 tribute "Island Race", the latter again arranged for symphonic brass and percussion by Craig. The concert was staged at the magnificent Dora Stouzker Hall and recorded by BBC Radio 3.
The conference concert "Jubilate!" also saw Craig once again share the stage with Professor Paul Mealor, and featured the premiere of Paul's tribute to the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II "Jubilate! Jubilee!", performed by the Richard Williams Singers & Gentlemen Songsters, accompanied by Abergavenny Borough Band in Craig's arrangement of the work for symphonic brass and percussion, all conducted by the composer. The concert also saw the premiere of Duncan MacLeod's "Asymptotos" and Evan Dawson's London 2012 tribute "Island Race", the latter again arranged for symphonic brass and percussion by Craig. The concert was staged at the magnificent Dora Stouzker Hall and recorded by BBC Radio 3.
August also saw the UK and Welsh Language Premiere of Karl Jenkins' "Beirdd Cymru - The Bards of Wales" at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in the Vale of Glamorgan, the work commissioned by Laszlo Irinyi and Concert Masters International of Hungary in 2011. The performance was filmed and televised by S4C.
Links with Ravensburg, Germany continue to remain strong with the Jugendsinfonieorchester der Musikschule Ravensburg e. V. performing Karl Jenkins' Armed Man at their Abschlusskonzert des Ravensburger ClassicCamp at Easter, and a theatrical production of "Brassed Off", set in the South Wales valleys, performed at the Theater Ravensburg in September. 2012 also saw a twinning exchange with the Jugendsinfonieorchester und Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass der Musikschule Ravensburg visiting South Wales in May and Porth County Community School Choir visiting Ravensburg and Ulm in December.
Links with Ravensburg, Germany continue to remain strong with the Jugendsinfonieorchester der Musikschule Ravensburg e. V. performing Karl Jenkins' Armed Man at their Abschlusskonzert des Ravensburger ClassicCamp at Easter, and a theatrical production of "Brassed Off", set in the South Wales valleys, performed at the Theater Ravensburg in September. 2012 also saw a twinning exchange with the Jugendsinfonieorchester und Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass der Musikschule Ravensburg visiting South Wales in May and Porth County Community School Choir visiting Ravensburg and Ulm in December.
The key highlights of 2012 however must be the various events connected with the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Olympic Games. These began in March with the Music Nation Cymru weekend on March 3/4. A BBC led project, Music Nation saw orchestras and ensembles across the UK unite in musical performance. In Wales, working in partnership the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Making Music and additional partners, some 16 000 people witnessed or performed in events such as the BBC NOW Music Marathon at Hoddinott Hall, the National Flash Mash at Wales Millennium Centre and St David's Hall and the National Cymanfa Ganu led from Wales Millennium Centre.
These events were followed by concerts to welcome and mark the passing of the Olympic Torch into Wales in May. "Flaming Brass!" featured Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band and the Jugendsinfonieorchester und Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass der Musikschule Ravensburg in concert with firework display at Abergavenny Castle, and then "Passing the Torch" saw a gala celebratory concert featuring Peter Karrie, full symphony orchestra and three choirs take place in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The Olympic events came to a thrilling conclusion in September with Abergavenny Borough Band winning the Last BandStanding competition to perform at the final event in the Olympic Park, London, leading the nationwide Bandstand Marathon of 180 performances across the whole of the UK together with Peter Karrie. A week later Craig and Abergavenny were back in Wales, leading the homecoming celebrations for the Welsh Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay in the presence of the athletes, First Minister and Presiding Officer for a crowd of more than 3 000 people, plus nationwide radio and television audiences.
2012 was an epic year for the UK and it was a great pleasure and privelege to be a part of it. Now onwards and upwards into the fresh experiences and challenges that 2013 will bring...
These events were followed by concerts to welcome and mark the passing of the Olympic Torch into Wales in May. "Flaming Brass!" featured Welsh League Champions Abergavenny Borough Band and the Jugendsinfonieorchester und Oberschwaben Symphonic Brass der Musikschule Ravensburg in concert with firework display at Abergavenny Castle, and then "Passing the Torch" saw a gala celebratory concert featuring Peter Karrie, full symphony orchestra and three choirs take place in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The Olympic events came to a thrilling conclusion in September with Abergavenny Borough Band winning the Last BandStanding competition to perform at the final event in the Olympic Park, London, leading the nationwide Bandstand Marathon of 180 performances across the whole of the UK together with Peter Karrie. A week later Craig and Abergavenny were back in Wales, leading the homecoming celebrations for the Welsh Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay in the presence of the athletes, First Minister and Presiding Officer for a crowd of more than 3 000 people, plus nationwide radio and television audiences.
2012 was an epic year for the UK and it was a great pleasure and privelege to be a part of it. Now onwards and upwards into the fresh experiences and challenges that 2013 will bring...
Projects 2013
In 2013 Craig will again be involved in a varied series of exciting projects and programmes, which will include:
Sound Affairs
In late 2012 Craig was recruited to the board of leading innovative collaborative contemporary music organisation Sound Affairs. Craig looks forward to this ongoing collaboration, and particularly artistic director Charlie Barber's new project for 2013 "Michelangelo - Drawing Blood".
Rasputin - Ripples to Revolution
In addition to Standing Alone, Craig will also be working on behalf of Making Music with Peter Karrie on his musical theatre project Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution. Rasputin is an exciting collaborative project between Peter, Making Music Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, which will result in a concert performance of the new work at the RWCMD in autumn 2013. Further information can be found at www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com
Gala Concerts
2013 will see a series of charity gala concerts which will include those for the Mayor of Abergavenny's charities at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny with Abergavenny Borough Band in February; and the Bobath Cymru 21st anniversary at St Davids Hall, Cardiff in March. Craig will also once again host the 2013 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert in May, which this year features star soprano Leslie Garrett.
Cory RCT Academy
Working together with the world's number one brass band The Cory Band on behalf of Making Music, Craig will advise and assist Cory on their new RCT Academy venture, which is aimed at giving bands brass bands across Rhondda Cynon Taf expert tuition and increased support in developing a network of junior brass bands to ensure the future of the genre in the locality. Further information on the project, and other Cory youth initiatives can be found at their website www.coryband.com
International Links
Work will continue with a series of international partners, notably the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and the twinning partnership with the Musikschule and town of Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Additional projects in Germany, Greece, Russia and Scotland are also in discussion.
Sound Affairs
In late 2012 Craig was recruited to the board of leading innovative collaborative contemporary music organisation Sound Affairs. Craig looks forward to this ongoing collaboration, and particularly artistic director Charlie Barber's new project for 2013 "Michelangelo - Drawing Blood".
Rasputin - Ripples to Revolution
In addition to Standing Alone, Craig will also be working on behalf of Making Music with Peter Karrie on his musical theatre project Rasputin, Ripples to Revolution. Rasputin is an exciting collaborative project between Peter, Making Music Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, which will result in a concert performance of the new work at the RWCMD in autumn 2013. Further information can be found at www.rasputinthemusical.weebly.com
Gala Concerts
2013 will see a series of charity gala concerts which will include those for the Mayor of Abergavenny's charities at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny with Abergavenny Borough Band in February; and the Bobath Cymru 21st anniversary at St Davids Hall, Cardiff in March. Craig will also once again host the 2013 Rhondda Fach Gala Concert in May, which this year features star soprano Leslie Garrett.
Cory RCT Academy
Working together with the world's number one brass band The Cory Band on behalf of Making Music, Craig will advise and assist Cory on their new RCT Academy venture, which is aimed at giving bands brass bands across Rhondda Cynon Taf expert tuition and increased support in developing a network of junior brass bands to ensure the future of the genre in the locality. Further information on the project, and other Cory youth initiatives can be found at their website www.coryband.com
International Links
Work will continue with a series of international partners, notably the world's largest annual indoor show, Canada's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and the twinning partnership with the Musikschule and town of Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Additional projects in Germany, Greece, Russia and Scotland are also in discussion.