Welsh trad music 'school'

Subject: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 05:31 AM

Leaflets are now out for this years "The Big Experiment", trac's 3-day traditional music school/retreat.

It's being held this year in the Conway Centre, Llanfairpwyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantisiliogogogoch, Anglesey from 22 to 25 October.

Tutors include Arfon Gwilym (singing), Neil Browning (Foundation Instrumental), Siân James (Intermediate Instr), Stephen Rees (Intermed. also) and, as guest tutor 'from away', Karen Tweed (Advanced Instr.)

Apart from the morning tutorials, there will be afternoon workshops in harp, fiddle, crwth, arranging folk tunes, working with amps, and 'That Which I Almost Play'.

New this year will be a dedicated Welsh Folk Dance stream run by Anglesey dancers Bethan and Huw Roberts. A lot of people who aren't part of the Welsh dance 'team' world (but do dance - circle, line, belly, step, etc) wanted to get to grips with some dances above the Common Twmpath Variety, so here's the chance!

Some of the afternoon workshops will be open to people not registered for the whole weekend, as will the evening sessions. (Priced individually.)

Prices range from £80 (non-residential, concessionary) to £190 (full room, board & tuition) but there's an extra £20 if booking after 1 Sept.

There are more details in the current edition of Ontrac and the details for getting the leaflet are also on that site. And you can see some of the fun from 2009 on the musictraditionswales Youtube channel.

It would be nice to see some of you there!

By the way, for those who knew that Arts Council for Wales was "reviewing its client list" (i.e. chopping and changing), I hope you'll be pleased to know that trac has made it through ... for the time being. Much depends on ACW's own funding settlement from the Welsh Assembly Government, and they won't know that until December.

Interesting times.

siân

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 07:36 AM

If you're within calling distance this weekend, here are the bits open to the public:

23 and 24 October 2010

If you can't make it for the whole event, you may want to join us for a taste of the event at one or more of the following. Each workshop or evening costs £10, payable on the door.


Saturday afternoon 3.00 – 4.00

A choice of workshops:
Harp masterclass with Sian James
Fiddle with Stephen Rees
Arranging folk songs in parts, with Sioned Webb
Introduction to Welsh dance, with Bethan and Huw Roberts

Sign in at the Big Experiment reception desk at the Conway Centre Chapel


Saturday evening 7.30 – late (any time after 11.00)

Tutors' Concert
featuring Karen Tweed, Arfon Gwilym, Neil Browning, Sian James, Stephen Rees

followed by an open session of tunes, songs and dancing – bring instruments and dance shoes, or just ears; it's up to you.


To be held in the Chapel at the Conway Centre. Bar available

Sunday afternoon 3.00 – 4.00

A choice of workshops:
Crwth with Cass Meurig
Have a go on a harp (for absolute beginners)
Amplification for acoustic music, with Andy Cairns
Pipes with Antwn Owen-Hicks


Sign in at the BEAM reception desk at the Conway Centre Chapel

Sunday evening 7.30 – late (any time after 11.00)

Noson Lawen featuring participants on the course
followed by an open session of tunes, songs and dancing – bring instruments and dance shoes, or just ears; it's up to you.

To be held in the Chapel at the Conway Centre. Bar available

Don't forget, though – if you're part of the whole course, you also get

> Intensive tuition in a series of six classes at your level
> One-to-one or small group sessions with tutors (time permitting)
> Karen Tweed's ensemble workshops
> Another evening and afternoon of music and songs
> Beginners/second instrument sessions: "This is what I almost play"
> Plygain songs for all
> The Big Dance
> Accommodation (optional)
> And the chance to be truly part of a fabulous musical and sociable experience

More details are on the leaflet/booking form (see Big Experiment page) or call 07811 955592.

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 10:39 AM

Bore da (sp)

Best wishes for a successful event.

I wish I weren't so far away.

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 10:47 AM

(sp) ok!

It's a good weekend - bit like Big Kids Camp. If you're on Facebook, there'll probably be photos uploaded from our Blackberry.

Fingers crossed.

sian

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: Howard Jones
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 01:57 PM

It's being held this year in the Conway Centre, Llanfairpwyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantisiliogogogoch

Just pray you don't have to ask for directions.

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 03:15 PM

I think Karen Tweed accepted the invitation to be Guest Tutor so she could put that on her CV.

sian

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:41 AM

Here are the details of The Big Experiment 2011. It's in the same place as last year - Llanfairpwyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantisiliogogogoch, Anglesey - from 21-24 October.

You get three days of songs, tunes, clogging, workshops, and performances with tutors Alistair Anderson, Robin Huw Bowen, Arfon Gwilym, Stacey Blythe, Stephen Rees and Huw Williams

Join us for this year's Big Experiment! Details are in the attached leaflet here. If you're on the On trac mailing list you'll be receiving one through the post too, any day now.

Note that this year's New Attraction is a class specifically for cloggers/ steppers led by Huw Williams (as in "Huw and Tony Williams" as was). I know there are a lot of Catters specifically interested in clogging and this is a great way to learn or improve!

Hope some of you will think about coming along!

sian

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 10:01 AM

It's being held this year in the Conway Centre, Llanfairpwyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantisiliogogogoch

Just pray you don't have to ask for directions.

From the mainland, cross the Britannia Bridge and turn for Plas Newydd rather than go into Llanfair PG, I think?

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 12:12 PM

Robin Huw Bowen!
Alistair Anderson!
Huw Williams!

You make my mouth water. Wish I could be there.

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: sian, west wales
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 12:28 PM

Yes Jon - it's on the Marquis of Anglesey's estate ... but we don't let that bother us! Easy to get to by train plus short taxi ride.

Leeniea ... make your wish come true!

s.

Subject: RE: Welsh trad music 'school'
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 01:07 PM

I think I've played in there once in the past, Sian - some one off thing following or connected to a session in Bangor.

I'd like to get over that way again one day for some music - I've only managed once in the 10 years I've been living in Norfolk - but I'm afraid I'm not going to make this one.

Anyway, good luck and I hope it goes well.