West Glamorgan Music Centre 2015 / 16

Music Centre Information Booklet

WEST GLAMORGAN MUSIC CERDDORIAETH GORLLEWIN MORGANNWG Management Team Alison James • Karin Jenkins • Wayne Pedrick

West Glamorgan Music believes in making every child's music matter and exists to promote youth music at all levels of ability and attainment across the counties of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

West Glamorgan Music is at the heart of music making in South Wales and has been a flagship music service in the UK since 1974.

As one of the largest local authority music services in Wales, West Glamorgan Music employs close to 100 instrumental, vocal and curriculum teachers, who teach over 16,500 children in schools and music centres across the both counties. We are proud to be a Partner in the Six Counties Hub (ERW) and National Youth Orchestra of Wales and Ty Cerdd (National Youth Brass Band, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, National Wind Orchestra of Wales).

As part of the Youth Arts Wales Pyramid, your child will receive instrumental lessons at school, and their instrumental teacher will give them the opportunity to join our out of hours county music centres, upon reaching the required standard.

Joining a county music centre gives your child membership of West Glam Youth Music which offers exciting opportunities for your child to develop their instrumental skills, playing in a brass band, string orchestra, wind orchestra, symphony orchestra, rock and pop, keyboard, guitar, harp and recorder groups. Our music centres are held in the evenings at schools in Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea. Your child’s membership and training, starts at beginner level, progressing to training and eventually youth level. This will act as a springboard and develop the necessary skills to allow them to audition for the Six Counties ensembles and the top of the pyramid by representing their country in the national ensembles.

Please read on to see what exciting opportunities we have to offer your child at our county music centres.

About this Booklet This booklet compiles information on all of the county centres and musical activities that we at West Glamorgan Youth Music offer on a weekly basis, during term time only.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the County Music Office.

Contact Us: Management Team: Alison James, Karin Jenkins, Wayne Pedrick

Address: West Glamorgan Music, Y.G.G. Gellionnen School Site, Gellionnen Road, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5HE Open Monday to Friday (term times only) Office opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm Friday: 8:30am - 3:30pm

Centre fees for the Academic Year 2015-2016 Per academic year: £60 Per term (3 terms in total): £20 per term Discount for Siblings per academic year: £30

Monday Future Blood Venue: Pontardawe Arts Centre West Glamorgan Rock and Pop Session Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm Standard: Intermediate The future blood project which is run in conjunction with Pontardawe Arts Centre, aims to provide aspiring rock and pop musicians with an introduction to the world of the music industry.

West Glamorgan Youth Symphony Orchestra Venue: Brangwyn Hall West Glamorgan Youth Symphony Orchestra Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grade 6+ Players from across the county are invited to audition for the new WGM Senior Orchestra. This is an exciting opportunity to gain orchestral experience for those players wanting to progress to the ERW Orchestra and the NYOW. The Youth Symphony Orchestra will be launched on Monday 2nd of November 2015 and will run during term time only.

Auditions will be held during October 2015.

Swansea Community Orchestra Venue: Brangwyn Hall Swansea Community Orchestra Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Standard: Beginner The sixty strong Swansea Community Orchestra is a symphony orchestra for adults. Rehearsals are held at the Brangwyn Hall every Monday evening (during term time), performing exclusively classical repertoire.

The orchestra performs concerts at venues across both authorities of Neath Port Talbot and City of County of Swansea.

Last years repertoire included Dvorak 8, Elgar Cello Concerto, Sibelius Symphony No: 2 and Brahms Symphony No: 1. Next season the repertoire planned is to include Tchaikovsky and Mozart. The orchestra is always keen to invite new members. No audition is necessary for those new members interested in joining.

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Wednesday West Glamorgan Brass Band Centre Venue: Y.G.G. Pontardawe Beginner Class Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner The Beginner Class is designed to introduce the concept of ensemble playing; helping to improve general musicianship skills in a small ensemble environment.

Junior Brass Band Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Grades 1-2 The Junior Brass Band develops the basic ensemble skills learnt in the beginner class, this time in a brass band setting.

Training Brass Band Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Grades 3-5 The Training Brass Band enables players to gain performance experience through youth competitions and concerts.

Youth Brass Band Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grades 6+ The Youth Brass Band provides opportunities for performance and rehearsal development needed for successful musicianship.

We are able to provide transport to and from this county centre. Please see the pickup information below.

Coach One 5:15pm Gowerton Surgery (Mill Street, SA4 3ED) 5:30pm Ynysforgan (Smiths Pet Foods, SA6 6QW)

Coach Two 5:15pm Port Talbot (Bagle Brook, SA12 8ES) 5:35pm Neath (Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School, SA10 7RE)

West Glamorgan Harp Centre Group 1 Venue: Y.G.G. Lonlas Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Group 2 Venue: Y.G. Gwyr Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm This ensemble provides pupils with the opportunity to come together and play as part of an ensemble, make friends from different schools and develop musicianship skills.

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Thursday West Glamorgan Training Orchestra Venue: Cwmtawe Community School West Glamorgan Training Orchestra Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner – Grade 5 The training orchestra provides an environment where children can improve on general musicianship skills through playing as part of an orchestra.

West Glamorgan Training Chamber Ensemble Time: 7:30pm - 8:00pm Standard: Grade 3+ In addition to the training orchestra, players of around grade 3 standard are invited to play with the chamber ensemble.

Guitars Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner + Group acoustic guitar lessons from Beginner to Intermediate level.

Beginner Keyboard/Theory Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner This class provides an introduction to keyboard skills and music theory.

Wilks Music Stores Ltd

1325 Carmarthen Road, Fforestfach, Swansea SA5 4BP Tel: 01792 561861 Email: wilksmusic@yahoo.co.uk

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• Dealers and specialists in musical instruments.

• A huge range of sheet music for all instruments and abilities.

• Gifts and Instrument Accessories.

• Instrument repairs and piano tuning.

• Authorised Public Examination Centre for the Association Board of the Royal School of Music.

Friday West Glamorgan Junior and Training Brass Band Centre Venue: Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School Beginner Brass Band Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm The Beginner Brass Band is designed to introduce the concept of ensemble playing. It helps improve reading and social skills in a small ensemble environment.

Junior Brass Band Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grades 1-2 The Junior Brass Band develops the basic ensemble skills learned in the beginner class and builds on them, this time in a brass band setting.

Training Brass Band Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grades 3-5 Pupils who are between grades 3-5 will advance to the Training Brass Band; this ensemble enables players to gain performance experience through youth competitions and Concerts.

West Glamorgan Training String Centre Venue: Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School Training String Orchestra Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Beginner – Grade 5 The Training String Orchestra is designed to give pupils rehearsal and performance experience to gain valuable musicianship skills.

West Glamorgan Recorder Centre Venue: Bishop Gore School West Glamorgan Recorder Ensemble Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Standard: Beginner+ Recorder players are invited to play as part of an ensemble. Development opportunities through performance and tuition give pupils valuable musicianship skills.

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Friday West Glamorgan Wind Centre Venue: Bishop Gore School Junior Wind Band Time: 6:00pm - 7.30pm Standard: Beginner – Grade 1 The Junior Wind Band is designed to introduce the concept of ensemble playing. It helps improve reading and social skills in a small ensemble environment.

Training Wind Band Time: : 6:00pm - 8:00pm Standard: Grade 2 – Grade 5 Skills from the Junior Wind Band are developed further in the Training Wind Band.

Youth Wind Band Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grade 5+ The Youth Wind Band provides opportunities for performance and rehearsal development needed for successful musicianship.

West Glamorgan String Centre Venue: Bishop Gore School Training Strings Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Standard: Beginner – Grade 5 The Training String Orchestra is designed to give pupils rehearsal and performance experience to gain valuable musicianship skills.

Youth Strings Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grade 5+ The Youth String Orchestra provides opportunities for performance and rehearsal development, needed for successful musicianship.

We are able to provide transport to and from this county centre. Please see the pickup information below.

Coach One 5:15pm Pontardawe Bus Bay (Jubilee Club) Ynysforgan (Smiths Pet Food, SA6 6QW) Morriston (Lidl, SA6 6JA)

Coach Two 5:15pm Port Talbot (Bagle Brook, SA12 8ES) Neath (Neath College, SA10 7RF) Morriston (Lidl, SA6 6JA)

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• We welcome all new singers, particularly bass and tenor voices • There is no audition process • We practice at the Gnoll, Neath every Wednesday evening at 7pm • Please contact the web link below for contact details and we look forward to meeting you!

“Half our choir used the music service as young people, and still share their musicality now!”

Ospreys Supporters Choir @ospreyschoir

www.ospreyssupporterschoir.org

Friends Of West Glamorgan Youth Music “Friends” exist to promote Youth Music at all levels of ability and attainment and is run by a committee of volunteers who work closely with the County Music Service.

Becoming a Friend is an excellent way of supporting West Glamorgan’s young people to make music. The Friends Association supports all West Glamorgan’s County Youth Music Groups to enhance young peoples’ musical experiences and opportunities through: • Financial contributions towards the purchase of instruments • Tour subsidies • Promotion of and support for concerts, master classes and competitions • Sponsorship of brochures • Commissions

How to Join the Friends of West Glamorgan Youth Music Anyone can become a member of the Friends, indeed, we encourage all parents to join the Friends in order to support our young musicians, who deserve the very best musical opportunities that we can provide.

We are always looking for new volunteers to join this group and we would welcome more help as the Friends will have an increasing role in funding concerts, courses and ensembles in the future.

Reg. Charity No.513660

How the Friends of West Glamorgan Youth Music is Run We are run by a friendly and enthusiastic committee. We always welcome additional help, both as a committee member and/or helping at any of our county music centres/occasional concert duties selling refreshments, concert tickets and programmes. We would appreciate your help either as a new committee member or supporting the concerts and centres, whichever you prefer. Please do make contact if you feel able to give a little of your time to support West Glamorgan’s young musicians through the Friends.

Friends Patron Scheme For more significant benefits and to provide extra help to West Glamorgan’s young musicians please consider becoming a Patron.

Our Patrons receive: • • • •

Two free tickets for all concerts Reserved VIP seats An invitation to VIP receptions An acknowledgement of their valued support in our programmes (subject to your approval) • Opportunity to sponsor a player or Ensemble If you would like to become a Friend or a Patron, please feel free to visit our Friends of West Glamorgan Youth Music page on our website www.westglamorganmusic.co.uk, email us at fwgym@btconnect.com or contact the Chair of the Friends, Mr Wynne Griffiths, c/o County Music Office, Y.G.G. Gellionnen School Site, Gellionnen Road, Clydach, Swansea SA6 5HE.

How to join West Glamorgan Music Come along to the music centre during term time and staff will provide you with the necessary consent and registration forms.

From September 2015 we will be launching a new payment method; ‘SchoolMoney’ is an easy, safe and secure way of paying for your child's centre fees online. This will be launched in the first week of the autumn term which will be a registration week.

Our aim over the next few years is to become paper free, so we will be launching our new look website in September 2015 westglamorganmusic.co.uk, where you will eventually be able to register and pay online at the same time. You will also be able to follow all our up to date information on our facebook page West Glamorgan Youth Music.

What membership of West Glamorgan Youth Music entitles you to: • One year’s membership playing at your chosen county music centre(s) • Automatic membership of the Friends of West Glamorgan Youth Music for Parents/Carers (see website for further information) • Performances at music centre and West Glamorgan Youth Music showcase concerts, master classes and opportunities to tour when in the youth ensembles • Access to audition for membership of ERW Ensembles and National Ensembles (when pupils reach the required standard).

West Glamorgan Youth Music – Weekly Music Centre Timetable DAY

ACTIVITY

TIME

4.30pm - 6.00pm Future Blood West Glamorgan Youth Symphony 5.00pm - 7.00pm Orchestra 7.00pm - 9.00pm Swansea Community Orchestra Wednesday West Glamorgan Beginner, Junior 5:30pm - 7:30pm and Training Brass Band West Glamorgan Youth Brass Band 6:00pm - 8.30pm 6:00pm - 8:00pm West Glamorgan Harp Ensemble Group 1 3:30pm - 5:30pm West Glamorgan Youth Harp Ensemble Group 2 Thursday West Glamorgan Training Orchestra, 5:30pm - 7:30pm Guitars and Beginner Keyboard 7:30pm - 8:00pm West Glamorgan Training Chamber Ensemble 5:00pm - 7:00pm West Glamorgan Training Brass Friday and String Orchestras West Glamorgan Junior Wind Band 6:00pm - 7:30pm 6:00pm - 8:00pm West Glamorgan Training String Orchestra, Wind Band West Glamorgan Recorder Ensemble 7:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm - 8:30pm West Glamorgan Youth String Orchestra and Wind Band

Monday

VENUE Pontardawe Arts Centre Brangwyn Hall Brangwyn Hall Y.G.G. Pontardawe Y.G.G. Pontardawe Y.G.G. Lonlas Y.G. Gwyr Cwmtawe Community School Cwmtawe Community School Dwr-y-Felin Comp. School Bishop Gore School Bishop Gore School Bishop Gore School Bishop Gore School